Discovery Programs

Learning Expeditions for Groups: School and Youth Organizations

Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound’s Discovery programs use the outdoors and adventure as a vehicle for learning, education and personal growth. Participants step outside their comfort zones to discover their potential as individuals, team members and leaders. Created specifically for schools and community-based organizations, Discovery expedition trips serve youth in Boston of all physical levels, backgrounds and experiences from 5th grade through undergraduate college.

Bring your students on a Discovery program that will build their confidence and develop their abilities to interact and work effectively as a team. Our programs are designed to support the social and emotional learning of every student in person on Cathleen Stone Island, at your physical location, or through an online learning environment.

Request Info  Discovery FAQs  Video Tour  Brochure

Program Goals

Each Discovery field trip and group retreat is led by skilled instructors with extensive training in group facilitation, risk management and youth development. Participants are guided through challenging activities where they learn new skills, apply their learning, exercise leadership and practice teamwork to accomplish individual and group goals. Just as important, groups have fun and learn the importance of supporting one another while experiencing the thrill of our low and high ropes challenge course elements.

Our custom-designed programs set us apart from other organizations. We take the time to develop a tailored program that will meet each group’s specific goals. Discovery programs are ideal for educational field trips, high school and university club outings, freshman class orientation getaways, fraternity and sorority retreats, and sports team building workshops.

The following outcomes are common to all of our programs:

Character

Demonstrating increased self-awareness and self-confidence while demonstrating understanding and compassion towards others.

Leadership

Demonstrating the ability to set goals, inspire and guide others to achieve them; additionally, the ability to collaborate, communicate, solve problems and resolve conflicts effectively.

Service

Demonstrating social and environmental responsibility and a desire to actively engage in service to others.

Classic Outward Bound Expeditions

In addition to building teamwork and leadership skills, Discovery Expeditions bring adventure to the next level with kayaking or backpacking components. This classic style of Outward Bound Expeditions teaches participants technical skills like using a map and compass to plan the day as well as camp craft and the basic techniques of backpacking and kayaking. Through shared challenges, adversity, failure and success, students discover and develop new skills, confidence and passion.

The Outward Bound Difference

For more than 60 years, Outward Bound has been delivering adventure and challenge-based courses to youth worldwide. Grounded in the educational philosophy of its founder, Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound seeks to empower young people through hands-on experiences. Using the wilderness as a classroom, Outward Bound guides students through a journey of self-discovery.