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Is anyone doing Outward Bound?

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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
It's a camp where you go on an expedition for 2-3+ weeks in certain areas of the wilderness and learn outdoor skills, like how to rock climb, start a fire or navigate with the stars. I'm super stoked on it. Anyone else going to be doing one?
Jul 8 2012 5:37PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
My Mom, uncle, cousin, and a few of my aunts did it. Which one are you doing?
Jul 8 2012 6:00PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
The three weeker in Oregon. Leaving tomorrow. Did they do the hiking one or the sailing one (In Maine) I was planning on doing the hiking in Maine but it was full
Jul 8 2012 6:04PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I did one in the rockies two years ago, easily the best experience of my life. You really learn a lot about what you can do. The trip broke a couple people in my group though, they would spend lots of time crying and telling everyone that they couldn't continue, seeing as you are excited though you should have an amazing time. What trip are you doing? If you are doing one of the backpacking trips be prepared for a lot of very rewarding hard work.
Jul 8 2012 6:04PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
They did hurricane island, one in the desert (AZ? NM?), and a couple others, but nothing in oregon
Jul 8 2012 6:06PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Your super lucky man... I wish I had the time to go.. :(
Jul 8 2012 6:07PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
My brother is doing the Rockies one. I think I'll be good. I'm not a pussy.
Jul 8 2012 6:07PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
they sound like fun. I have a lot more thoughts on them but thats what you get so far.
Jul 8 2012 6:08PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I bet you'll be fine, we had one fat ass who was there because his dad took away his xbox and the only way he could get it back is if he completed the course. He was one of the saddest kids I have ever met. Pretty much everyone else was fun to hang out with.

I'm really stoked to hear of someone else getting excited to do an OB course, you will definitely have a change in perspective after completing the course.
Jul 8 2012 6:19PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
I led a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch last summer. Easily funnest and most rewarding thing I've done.

My crew had like 8 or 10 people maybe. Lots of kids cried because they were younger and missed their parents/mothers, which was expected. I missed a girl more then my mom at the time lol, that's what I get for being a teenager. One kid broke down so hard and was spoiled so much that he refused to do his duties (hang up bear bags, wash dishes, cook the food, etc.) and literally crossed his arms, sat up against a tree, and pouted. He said his parents didn't make him do anything like that, so I told him I couldn't give two shits if his parents died from being raped too long and to do the goddam dishes. Needless to say the task was completed.

I loved the trek, loved New Mexico, which is where the trek was, and enjoyed it tremendously apart from that one bitching kid, and no outside communication. Also I met a girl at a staff camp there and fell in love on first sight, never learned anything other then her name though.

Whoever says scouts is gay and retarded has never been to Philmont.
Jul 8 2012 6:41PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
Has anybody done the Oregon course? In leaving in less that 24 hours. But what was said above, I'll probably miss a girl more than my mom.
Jul 8 2012 8:45PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
that. sounds. so. awesome.
Jul 8 2012 8:46PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
Just write some poems instead.
Jul 8 2012 8:58PM
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kstanz
Posts: 3058 - Karma: 477
I was looking a lot for something like it to do this summer but everything was just so expensive, would've loved to go they look right up my ally
Jul 8 2012 9:04PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
Yeah, they're really expensive. I'm super happy to finally be going my parents had been planning it with me and my twin for a few years
Jul 8 2012 9:06PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,400
Northern Tier Canoe base is where its at. It's one of my favorite places in world. Ely, MN. BWCA
Jul 8 2012 9:59PM
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infuser
Posts: 1220 - Karma: 241
My friend did Bold Earth which is very similar. He went to Peru last summer and the pacific northwest the summer before. In the pacific northwest he rock climbed, hiked, kyacked, etc... he said he had a lot of fun
Jul 8 2012 10:09PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
I've never been, man. I did some canoeing this weekend and it killed my pecs and shoulders. I also weight lift so i'm used to that shit. but idk if i could do it for 10 days
Jul 8 2012 10:13PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,340
Poems alias is poems
Jul 8 2012 10:22PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137

Take a look at some instructional videos on youtube. There is a technique to paddling that is not obvious. One paddles by pivoting at the waist, not reaching and pulling. This will make you more efficient and should alleviate your discomfort.

Outward Bound instructors wish they were me. ;) Seriously though, Outward Bound employs some fantastic outdoors professionals and you should learn a great deal and have a good time. Their trips are too "ordered" and "paced" for my liking, but I also am not in a position where I would benefit. You should come away with the skills you need to plan and embark on a smaller or perhaps solo trip, where you are not reliant upon a group or the leadership of others. This natural progression is what their program is about.

Outward Bound did serve me a fantastic pancake breakfast in Joshua Tree once when they were conducting staff training and recruiting future instructors.

Jul 8 2012 10:27PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
Well I'm an outdoor kid, but I'm not really in shape. I'm not fat or anything but I don't work out. I do strenuous hikes and biking trails but nothing hardcore. Im excited thanks for the info
Jul 8 2012 10:36PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
My friend was in the middle of one in Colorado and he punctured a lung. He did fine on his Solo and stuff but shit went down and he had to be evacuated.
Jul 8 2012 10:50PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
story time, that sounds crazy
Jul 8 2012 11:21PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
I just got back from my course, it was pretty fucking insane. If you have a chance to do it, take it for fucking sure. I learned so much it's incredible.
Jul 30 2012 9:12AM
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.Capn.
Posts: 1454 - Karma: 152
I did a program with Costa Rica Outward Bound this summer. Awesome and knowledgeable staff and a really fun experience. It wasn't overly controlled or planned out for every second so we had a lot of freedom and choice which really made it special.
Jul 30 2012 10:02AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
just want to throw this out there, but if you are interested in programs such as Outward Bound, I would also recommend checking out Deer Hill Expeditions (www.deerhillexpeditions.com). They are a much smaller, 'mom and pops' company, that really does offer a very unique experience. They are based out of Mancos, CO. Yes, I have done some film work for them over the past few years, but that has given me the opportunity to experience numerous programs that they offer and I consistently wish I had known about them when I was younger so I could have participated.

They are often considered to be one of the three (in addition to- NOLS and Outward Bound) experiences that professional outdoor educators want on their resumes. In other words, even though they are the 'mom and pops' of the industry, they are quite highly regarded within the community.

Anyways, just wanted to put their name into the mix. Either way, I would truly recommended anyone to take the opportunity (whether it be NOLS, Outward Bound or Deer Hill) of an expedition of any sort if they can.
Jul 30 2012 11:27AM
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