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Patagonia to Florida & Blue Ridge – Leadership Semester
Do something unforgettable. 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: Bariloche, Argentina -
Course End Location: Asheville, NC
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
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: summit alpine peaks, immerse yourself in new cultures, canoe coastal waters, paddle rapids, and rock climb across three stunning regions.
Where You'll Be
Explore the remote peaks of Patagonia, the subtropical wilderness of the Florida Everglades, and the rugged landscapes of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. 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.
Beginning at the edge of the world in Patagonia, enjoy alpine trekking and immerse yourself in local culture. Then, leave your backpacks behind to journey by canoe and camp on sandy beaches in the 10,000 Islands of Everglades National Park. Finish strong in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains where you will climb rock faces, paddle through rushing rapids, and navigate the trails. Along the way, build new skills, earn wilderness first aid certification, give back through service projects, and gain fresh perspectives.
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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 |
| Day 2 | Introduction to Patagonia: culture, equipment, and environment |
| Day 3-8 | Backpacking |
| Day 9 | Resupply and transition day |
| Day 10 | Service project with national park |
| Day 11-13 | Peak ascent |
| Day 14-15 | Solo |
| Day 16-18 | Snow School: mountaineering, glacier travel, ice climbing, and crevasse rescue skills |
| Day 19-21 | Glacier travel: ice climbing and peak ascents |
| Day 22 | Clean and de-issue equipment; town day |
| Day 23 | Travel to Florida |
| Day 24 | Introduction to Florida: canoeing equipment and marine environment |
| Day 25-27 | Canoeing training expedition: navigation, tides, rescue, and marine camping skills |
| Day 28 | Service project |
| Day 29-32 | Canoeing main expedition: advanced navigation, goal setting, group feedback, and conflict resolution |
| Day 33-35 | Solo |
| Day 36-39 | Canoeing final expedition: student leadership and independent travel |
| Day 40 | Clean and de-issue gear; town day |
| Day 41 | Transportation to North Carolina |
| Day 42-46 | Backpacking training expedition: navigation, camping, and Appalachian environment skills |
| Day 47-51 | Rock climbing: climbing, belaying, rappelling, and multi-pitch climbing |
| Day 52-53 | Backpacking main expedition: advanced navigation and group decision-making |
| Day 54-56 | Solo |
| Day 57-61 | Whitewater canoeing: paddle strokes, boat maneuvers, rapid scouting, and self-rescue |
| Day 62 | Service project: trail-building or work with community service organization |
| Day 63 | High ropes course |
| Day 64-66 | Wilderness First Aid certification |
| Day 67-70 | Backpacking final expedition: leadership and independent student travel |
| Day 71 | Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, graduation ceremony and banquet |
| 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 San Carlos De Bariloche Airport (BRC) in Argentina and ends at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). Students must purchase mid-course travel from San Carlos De Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Miami International Airport (MIA). A travel itinerary will be required. Mid-course travel from Florida to North Carolina is provided by North Carolina Outward Bound School.
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.
