- United States of America
- Bahamas
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Argentina
- Patagonia
About Program
Travel with your crew through remote, rugged settings and broaden your worldview while building your confidence, leadership, and communication skills. These accredited expeditions are designed for those seeking a challenging and formative experience through an unforgettable adventure.
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 that will continue to serve you long after you return home.
An Outward Bound Semester offers lessons that will 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.
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Program Highlights
- Gain real-world experience, earn college credit and learn alongside the best Instructors in the industry.
- Backpack, climb, canoe, kayak, raft and sail in some of the most iconic backcountry areas in the United States.
- Our courses prepare students for future success, whether that's in college, a career, or working in the outdoor education industry.
- You'll travel as a group in remote, rugged settings that will broaden your view of the world.
- The Outward Bound Semester & Gap year program won the Top Gap Year Provider in Safety in 2018.
Popular Programs

This isn't your average travel course—it’s a life-changing journey through Costa Rica’s rainforests, rivers, and reefs. Trek cloud forests, surf the Pacific, raft wild rivers, and earn your scuba certification in Panama’s Caribbean waters. Along the way, build leadership skills, practice Spanish, and support local communities. Embrace the pura vida lifestyle—and discover what you're truly capable of.

Broaden your horizons with this 80-day expedition exploring Maine’s coastal and forest ecosystems and the subtropical seas of the Bahamas. Sail the Maine coast, backpack the northern Appalachians, and earn a Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification. Then head to the Bahamas to explore by sea kayak and Scuba. Build confidence, leadership, and lifelong skills as you embrace adventure in two stunning environments.

Embark for the adventure of a lifetime on this 72-day, multi-region, international semester course. Climb in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, paddle through Florida’s wild rivers, and summit peaks in Patagonia. Build leadership skills, push your limits, and connect deeply with your group and the natural world. Includes Wilderness First Aid certification, a service project, and the potential for college credit.