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Blue Ridge to Florida & Patagonia – Leadership Semester
Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms. Take a gap semester and embark on the adventure of a lifetime on this 72-day international semester course.
Scholarships
Savings Plan
Open 
Multiple Destinations
About This Course
Activity
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Backpacking -
Canoeing -
Glacial Travel -
Mountaineering -
Rock Climbing
Setting & Location
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Coastal -
Forest -
Mountains -
River -
Course Start Location: Asheville, NC -
Course End Location: Bariloche, Argentina
Students Can Earn
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College Credit
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Wilderness First Aid
Session Details
1 session are available for this course
What You'll Learn Statement
Outward Bound’s Semester courses combine memory-making adventure with lessons that last a lifetime. You’ll enrich and expand the way you see yourself, the world, and what’s possible. And with itineraries that span the globe, these expeditions are far more than stamps in a passport; they are life-affirming learning opportunities.
What You'll Do
Take on new challenges during this international course: rock climb, paddle rapids, canoe coastal waters, summit alpine peaks, and immerse yourself in new cultures across three stunning regions.
Where You'll Be
Explore the rugged landscapes of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains, the subtropical wilderness of the Florida Everglades, and remote peaks of Patagonia. Each region offers unique biodiversity, stunning scenery, and a deep cultural history.
Why It Matters
This extended Outward Bound experience is an opportunity to learn, practice, and repeat skills that help you navigate course and life. Discover your unique leadership style, how to engage with your crew toward shared goals, and make memories that will shape who you continue to become as your next chapter unfolds.
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Semester Expeditions
What if your Gap Year launches you into an exciting future with confidence, new skills, and incredible stories to share?
Backcountry skills that last.
The goal of our Gap Year expeditions is to help you develop the confidence, knowledge, and integrity essential for effective leadership. Whether you are learning how to safely tie in on belay, deciding as a group how to navigate through new terrain, or setting up your campsite for the evening, you’ll be honing and practicing skills for life.
Expanding perspective.
An Outward Bound course is more than an outdoor adventure – it’s a unique opportunity to learn skills that will help you navigate life beyond the trail: leadership, teamwork, and self-reflection will set you up for success well into your future.
We believe in you.
Our Semester courses are tough. And worth every blister and bug bite because you’re tough, too. You’ll discover that as you explore awesome backcountry, forge lifelong connections with your crew, and gain hands-on leadership training.
Life on Course
Step away from the noise of daily life and develop a deeper understanding of the wilderness, the world, and yourself.
Start your course in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, where you and your crew will backpack through lush forests, climb rock faces, and paddle river rapids. Then, leave your backpacks behind to journey by canoe and camp on sandy beaches in the 10,000 Islands of Everglades National Park. Finally, enjoy alpine trekking and immerse yourself in local culture at the edge of the world in Patagonia. Along the way, you’ll become a leader, earn a Wilderness First Aid certification, complete service projects, and build lifelong friendships.
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Sample Itinerary
Here’s an example of what your course itinerary might look like. The actual plan will depend on permits, weather, group skills, and instructor evaluation.
Swipe on table below to view more.
72-Day Course
| Day 1 | Course start, duffle shuffle, team building initiatives, and safety management skills |
| Day 2-6 | Backpacking training expedition: navigation and safety management skills |
| Day 7-11 | Rock climbing, belaying, rappelling and multi-pitch climbing |
| Day 12-14 | Backpacking main expedition: advanced navigation and group decision-making |
| Day 15-16 | Solo |
| Day 17-21 | Whitewater canoeing: paddle strokes, boat maneuvers, rapid scouting, and self-rescue |
| Day 22 | Service project: trail building or work with community service organization |
| Day 23 | High ropes course |
| Day 24-26 | Wilderness First Aid certification |
| Day 27-30 | Backpacking final expedition: leadership and independent student travel |
| Day 31 | Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, and town day |
| Day 32 | Transportation to Florida |
| Day 33 | Introduction to canoeing equipment and marine environment |
| Day 34-36 | Canoeing training expedition: navigation, tides, rescue and marine camping skills |
| Day 37 | Service project |
| Day 38-41 | Canoeing main expedition: advanced navigation, goal setting, group feedback, and conflict resolution |
| Day 42-44 | Solo |
| Day 45-48 | Canoeing final expedition: student leadership and independent travel |
| Day 49 | Clean and de-issue gear; town day |
| Day 50 | Transportation to Patagonia |
| Day 51 | Introduction to Patagonia culture, equipment and environment; service project |
| Day 52-57 | Backpacking |
| Day 58 | Resupply and transition day |
| Day 59 | Service project with National Park |
| Day 60-62 | Peak ascent |
| Day 63-64 | Solo |
| Day 65-67 | Snow school: mountaineering, glacier travel, ice climbing and crevasse rescue skills |
| Day 68-70 | Glacier travel: ice climbing and peak ascents |
| Day 71 | Clean and de-issue equipment; course end ceremony |
| Day 72 | Town day; transportation to airport |
FAQs
What are your essential eligibility criteria?
Our Essential Eligibility Criteria shares what participants must be able to do during course. Full disclosure of all health and medication information is required during the admissions process.
Where does course start and end?
This course starts at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and ends at San Carlos DeBariloche Airport (BRC) in Argentina. Mid-course travel from North Carolina to Florida is provided by North Carolina Outward Bound School. Students must purchase mid-course travel from Miami, FL MIA) to Bariloche (BRC). A travel itinerary will be required.
Can I receive academic credit for this course or use my 529 College Savings Fund?
Many secondary schools, colleges and universities offer direct credit for Outward Bound based on Independent Studies. If you cannot receive direct credit from your school, you should be able to arrange credit transfer from another institution, such as Western Colorado University. Learn more about academic credit and 529 college savings plans.
What is solo?
A little more than halfway through course, students will participate in a reflection period called Solo. During this time, Instructors assign students their own individual spaces within a designated area. These sites are both secluded and within hearing distance of other group members and Instructors for safety. Students will be given all the necessary gear, food, water, and skills to enjoy solo time. Solo is a great opportunity for students to relax, recharge and reflect on their course after having long days of strenuous group activities. Instructors will be monitoring students closely during this experience.
