CB32 Program Banner

High School

Boundary Waters – Canoe & High Ropes

You belong in the Boundary Waters this summer. No experience? No worries—Outward Bound is for everybody. Leave the screens behind, reset your mind, and rediscover what it feels like to be fully present. Pack your sense of adventure and unplug as you explore the wilderness with a new crew of friends, powered by paddles, campfires, and real conversation.

Scholarships

Learn about scholarship opportunities.

Savings Plan

Use a 529 College Savings Plan.

Schedule a Call
See Available Dates & Apply

Boundary Waters, MN

Play Icon play
The image shows two people on a ropes course. A young girl is carefully navigating a rope bridge, secured with a harness and helmet. To the right, a young man, also wearing a helmet and harness, is holding onto a rope, possibly assisting or supervising. The course is set amidst trees, suggesting an outdoor adventure setting.
The image shows three people in a canoe on a lake. They are all wearing life jackets and holding paddles, suggesting they are paddling. The person in the front is smiling and looking towards the camera. The background features trees, indicating a natural setting. The water is calm, and the overall scene suggests a recreational activity like canoeing or kayaking.
A man is carefully walking across a high ropes course. He is wearing a blue helmet and a grey t-shirt, with dark trousers and shoes. He is holding onto a rope with his left hand for balance. The ropes course is set against a pale sky, and the man appears focused on maintaining his balance as he navigates the challenge.
CB20 Course Overview

About This Course

Activity

  • The image shows a simple, stylized drawing of a canoe in blue against a black background. The canoe is depicted with curved lines outlining its shape, and there are horizontal lines inside the canoe to suggest its structure or design. The style is reminiscent of a basic illustration or icon, with a focus on clear, recognizable shapes rather than detailed realism. Canoeing
  • The image shows a blue rope against a black background. The rope is coiled and appears to be somewhat thick. The blue color of the rope stands out against the dark backdrop, making it the focal point of the image. The rope's texture and the way it's coiled add visual interest to the otherwise simple composition. Ropes Course

Setting & Location

  • The image shows a simple, hand-drawn style illustration of three evergreen trees, possibly pine or fir trees. They are depicted in a solid blue color against a white background. The trees are stylized with jagged edges to represent the needles and branches, giving them a whimsical and slightly abstract appearance. The trunks are simple vertical lines. Forest
  • The image shows a blue silhouette of a landscape against a black background. The landscape includes trees, mountains, and water, possibly a lake or river. The style is simple and graphic, resembling a logo or emblem. The scene evokes a sense of nature and tranquility, with the dark background emphasizing the blue elements of the natural landscape. Lake
  • airplane Course Start Location: Duluth, MN
  • airplane Course End Location: Duluth, MN

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

5 sessions are available for this course

Chat with the Customer Success Team
A group of about a dozen young people are gathered outdoors, seemingly listening to a man who is holding a book or papers. They are standing in a semi-circle on a grassy area, with some kind of structure or shed visible in the background. The atmosphere appears casual and informal, possibly a class or a meeting in a relaxed setting.

What You’ll Learn

Forge an epic adventure! On Outward Bound courses for high schoolers, you’ll make new friends and face exciting new challenges together while building communication and leadership skills that help your group soar to new heights!

A person is paddling a canoe on a body of water. The individual is wearing a life vest and holding an oar, with sunlight reflecting on the water's surface. The person seems to be enjoying a peaceful day out on the water, surrounded by nature. The background features greenery along the banks of the waterbody.

What You'll Do

This isn’t camp—this is Outward Bound. Unplug and step into a real adventure where you build lasting friendships, explore what matters to you, and stretch your comfort zone. Trade scrolling for meaningful connection, wind whispering through the pines, and blue, sparkling waters. You won’t just learn how to paddle a canoe—you’ll learn how to lead a wilderness expedition, walking away with unforgettable memories, real‑world life skills, and bona fide bragging rights.

The image shows a canoe on a calm river or lake, surrounded by lush green vegetation and trees. The water reflects the sky and trees, creating a mirror-like effect. The canoe is in the foreground, with the shoreline and trees in the background. The sky is blue with some white clouds, suggesting a peaceful and serene day.
Play Icon play

Where You'll Be

Water, water everywhere. Trade your phone for a paddle and explore crystal‑clear lakes, towering pines, ancient granite, and some of the darkest, starriest skies you’ll ever see. This is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—where there’s more water than land, and endless space to slow down, tune in, and rediscover what it feels like to simply be you.

A woman wearing a cap, a light blue long-sleeved shirt, and a life vest is sitting in a canoe on a body of water. She is holding a paddle and smiling, appearing to be enjoying her time outdoors. The background features lush green trees, suggesting she is paddling in a natural setting, possibly a lake or river. The water is slightly choppy, indicating a gentle breeze or current.

Why It Matters

High school is hard work – take a break and do something memorable! You’ll explore new places, make friends, and learn skills that will expand your belief in what’s possible. We are crew, not passengers which means you’ll share responsibility for your crew’s success through teamwork, communication, and leadership. Let’s go!

/

CB11 Scrolling Bullets

Classic Courses for High School

What if you had space to feel more connected to yourself, to others, and to the challenging world around you?

Educational Approach

One Week Courses

You and your crew will try adventurous things and practice new ways of being in a connected group. You’ll discover your unique contributions to the group as you take on challenges together, weighing healthy risks and considering other people’s perspectives to find success!

Us. But Better.

You and your crew will learn how to support each other’s success, boldly tackling challenges and persevering together through epic adventures! Our skilled instructors protect the time and space students need to both recognize your strengths and consider the strengths of others.

Connection and Care

Focusing on building a connected group where each student’s unique personality is valued, you and your crew will practice the communication skills you need to feel safe, cared for, and pay forward that care for each other as you go adventuring!

Shared Success

You’ll start to learn how to be thoughtful about your own actions, your words, and the impact of both on other people. You will practice holding all of this at once while you just how magical facing challenges and succeeding as a team can be!

CB31 Media Gallery

Life on Course

Make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn outdoor adventure skills to feel empowered in navigating life’s ever-changing tides.

You’ll learn essential canoeing skills, map‑and‑compass navigation, and teamwork as you travel across lakes, rivers, and portage trails—all in a completely screen‑free setting. Without digital distractions, you’ll practice focused communication, build strong group relationships, and reflect on your relationship with technology. Guided by experienced Instructors, you’ll develop confidence, resilience, and personal goals around balance, attention, and connection—skills that support success at school, at home, and beyond.

Two people are giving each other a high five next to a canoe on the shore of a lake. One person is wearing a pink skirt and a hat, and the other is wearing a hat and a pink shirt. There is a large green bag next to the canoe. The lake is calm and there are trees in the background.
A woman wearing a blue helmet and a harness is carefully walking on a wooden beam, part of a high ropes course. She is holding her arms out for balance and appears focused on her next step. The course is set among trees, with a gray pole and various ropes and platforms visible in the background. The sky is overcast, providing soft lighting for the scene.
A group of five young people are gathered around a tree in a wooded area. One person is holding a large, clear container against the tree. The others are smiling and looking at the container. They appear to be enjoying an outdoor activity or project together in a natural setting. The scene is bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees.
A person is carrying a canoe over their head while walking through a lush green forest. The individual is wearing light-colored pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating dappled light on the forest floor. The canoe appears to be green or camouflaged, blending with the surrounding foliage. The scene suggests an outdoor adventure or portage during a canoeing trip.

/

CB39 Table Feature

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.

8-Day Course

+ -
Day 1 Course start (Get picked up from the airport, pack your gear, and enjoy a camp meal with your crew)
Day 2-3 Canoe training expedition (introductory lessons in canoeing, portaging, camp-craft, cooking over a fire, and navigation; intentional discussion & reflection surrounding technology use).
Day 4 Solo experience - personal reflection & goal setting
Day 5-6 Continued canoeing expedition (increased group responsibility over navigation, travel and camp-craft. Group conversations about goal setting).
Day 7-8 Return to base for gear clean, high ropes, and course end ceremonies.
CB27 Pull Quotes
The image shows a group of young men sitting in a wooded area, possibly a park or forest. They appear to be engaged in conversation and seem relaxed. Some are sitting on the ground, while others are on what looks like makeshift seats. The atmosphere seems casual and friendly, suggesting they are enjoying each other's company in an outdoor setting.

Never once would I have thought that I could emotionally have been able to challenge myself like I have on this course. Truly I appreciate the privilege of this. It has created an impact and prepared me for the real world. It has also helped me find my place with myself and learn how to really live to my full potential.

JR

It was an amazing experience that enabled me to push my mental and physical limits. Through this journey I was able to identify my needs for the future ahead. I also pushed myself to show vulnerability to my peers by opening up to them about my past struggles.

Addie

I have learned that both my mood and body can do so much more than I gave them credit for. The mantra of one of my instructors motivated me to try everything despite fearing failure and I will continue to keep it in my mind my whole life: “your body can do anything if your mind lets it.

Zoe

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

Is prior experience necessary?

+ -

No prior experience is necessary to participate on an Outward Bound expedition! Our talented instructing staff will start the course by going over the basic skills needed for backcountry travel. All we ask is students come prepared for and open to new experiences. We’ll handle the rest!

How is this course different from other 8-day canoe courses?

+ -

This course aligns with our classic 8-day canoe & high ropes expeditions; all of our courses provide an opportunity to step free of phones! This course emphasizes unplugging & re-setting as a way to shed the constant pull of phones and technology. Through intentional reflection & conversation, students will be encouraged to share their experiences with social media & overall phone use & how it impacts them. Students will explore goal setting as a tool that can support setting intentional boundaries around tech, and replacing scrolling with that which brings a more active pursuit of connection, joy, & inspiration.

How can I be physically prepared to attend course?

+ -

Though students do not need to be in peak physical condition to successfully complete the course, it’s always a good idea to physically prepare for the course ahead of time to increase comfort, especially at the start of your journey.

How will I know what to bring?

+ -

Outward Bound will provide the activity-specific and camping equipment for course including tents, tarps, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and cookware, etc. You will receive a packing list of items to bring, consisting mainly of clothing*, footwear, personal items, and toiletries after applying. If you’d like to see a packing list for a specific expedition ahead of time, reach out to our Customer Success Team at 866-467-7651 or [email protected]. A Customer Success Specialist will be happy to provide this information!

*Pro tip: Not everything on your pack list needs to be brand new! See what items you can thrift or find at a second hand gear store

THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
Back to Top

Sign Up for Updates from Outward Bound

+ -