The Outward Bound Educators Expedition is a professional development course designed for full time educators, school administrators, and youth serving professionals. The goal is to develop experiential education and social emotional learning skills that can be applied in a variety of learning environments. The course provides opportunities to personally experience Outward Bound and explore its renowned leadership curriculum.
Experiential education is learning by doing. The Educators Expedition encourages growth and peer-to-peer teaching and learning, builds courage to take risks, inspires a sense of compassion, expands curiosity, and develops self-confidence and self-reliance. The course fosters communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
Program Components:
- 7-day wilderness expedition on the Delaware River (in the Delaware Water Gap) including canoeing, ropes course, and experiential education lessons/topics
- A 1:1 check-in with your instructors in the fall to revisit course-end goals and reflection.
- One online and two in-person meetings post-course to continue applying learnings from your expedition with your crew and instructors
Goals and objectives:
- Deepen experiential education and socio-emotional learning skills that can be applied in a variety of educational environments.
- Provide educators with tools and strategies to promote intentional community development among students.
- Encourage educators to focus on reflective and student-centered practices, empowering young people to take responsibility for their development.
- Develop community with other educators through a personally challenging and growth oriented expedition
This expedition is funded by our scholarship program and offered at minimal cost to participants. Interested educators working and residing in PA/NJ/DE are encouraged to apply.
Course Dates: July 26 – August 1, 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
- Apply online, including a letter of introduction plus a brief description outlining how this opportunity will impact you, your school, and your students and 2 letters of recommendation.
- Submit application fee ($250) – Fee will be refunded to applicants who are not accepted.
After we receive your materials, you will be contacted for a brief interview.
“Because of Outward Bound, I am challenging myself to incorporate more experiential learning in the classroom. Learning by doing isn’t utilized enough in classrooms. Through the tasks and challenges on my Outward Bound expedition, I felt exhilaration, fear, and ultimately, pride. That is the gift we, as educators, can impart to our students.” – Educator Expedition Participant
PHOTO GALLERY
Check out these photo highlights from a recent Educators course!
