Some of the most important lessons are learned outside of the classroom.
Drawing upon Outward Bound’s nearly 80 years of preeminence in experiential education, NYC Outward Bound Schools offers a range of Adventure & Team Building programs for students and educators. These programs build community, develop character, and promote leadership.
Why Work With Us
100% of our 2019 clients said that they would hire us again.
100% of our current clients answered “definitely” to the statement “Our program met our specific goals and needs.”
Our safety record is second to none.
All programs are can be modified based on the client’s desired outcomes.
Our skilled course directors have extensive training in youth development and facilitation, and are experienced in designing and delivering programs that cater to the needs of each client.
Programs are offered year-round.
We work with students in grades 6 – 12, as well as teachers, college students, and youth workers.
Typical Participant Learning Targets:
- I can be an effective team member by participating fully in the activities to the best of my ability.
- I can share and practice the responsibilities of leadership and followership during group challenges.
- I can communicate effectively by offering my own ideas and listening to the ideas of others.
- I can build trust by relying on my group, or members of my group.
- I can reflect on my experience and think critically about how it applies to my everyday life.
Take a look at our offerings
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Team Building
Whether the focus of the day is community, confidence, or leadership, our team building activities provide excellent tools to challenge all participants, and enable them to reflect and learn.
Team Building
Whether the focus of the day is developing community, confidence, and/or leadership, our team building activities provide excellent tools to challenge all participants, and enable them to reflect and learn. Team Building can also be used to establish a collaborative classroom environment. The activities encourage participants to work together to achieve a common goal and to use new, unfamiliar, and effective modes of behavior and communication in order to succeed. Through thoughtful facilitation, our instructors enable participants to analyze their customary role in the group, take risks, try new ideas, learn new skills, and develop a community of high-performing learners. These programs typically take place at a school, park, or our Long Island City headquarters.
For more information about Team Building, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!
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Climbing
Through balancing on steep faces, pulling through overhangs, or belaying the rope for a partner, climbing teaches the importance of focus, commitment, tenacity, and trust.
Climbing
Through balancing on steep faces, pulling through overhangs, or belaying the rope for a partner, climbing teaches the importance of focus, commitment, tenacity, and trust. Students learn knots, rope systems, belaying, and movement techniques so that they can rely on their own skills and those of their partners. They are also taught to support and encourage each other so that each is able to put forth his or her best effort. Participants may also complete a dramatic rappel from the top of the cliff face that offers lessons in commitment and builds self-reliance as each participant controls the descent down the rock face.
NYC Outward Bound Schools offers two places to climb in NYC:
60′ Wall at HQ in Long Island City
Visit our headquarters in Long Island City, Queens to climb the tallest wall in NYC. While the view at the top offers elevated trains and buildings instead of trees and peaks, the rush of seeing the world from above without having the hit an elevator button, is still magnificent. The relatively compact width of our HQ wall easily creates a sense community no matter the climbers’ experience level. Five climbers can ascend at once, with multiple route options.Alpine Tower Climbing at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn
Utilizing Outward Bound’s 55-foot Alpine Climbing Tower, NYC Outward Bound Schools offers participants a truly unique urban experience in Gateway National Recreation Area, which straddles the Brooklyn and Queens border. Climbing on the tower offers an appropriate physical and mental challenge for participants of every age and physical ability. It builds confidence, perseverance, compassion and trust. After being taught to keep each other safe with a belay system, students are encouraged and supported to climb as high up on the tower as they can possibly go.For more information about Climbing, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!
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Adventure Retreats
Retreats help groups recognize and discuss pertinent issues, explore challenges, set goals, and give one another meaningful feedback.
Adventure Retreats
Adventure Retreats help groups recognize and discuss pertinent issues, explore challenges, set goals, and give one another meaningful feedback. NYC Outward Bound Schools’ retreats include components such as high and low challenge courses, hiking, large group games, and orienteering. We deliver these programs at several different facilities in upstate New York and New Jersey. The accommodations are simple and rustic, and the time away in a natural setting enhances focus and reflection. Retreats typically take place over several days.
For more information about Retreats, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!
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Train-the-Trainer
With our Train-the-Trainer program, your teachers will learn how to lead experiential learning activities, and be able to bring that expertise back to your school.
Train-the-Trainer
With our Train-the-Trainer program, your teachers will learn how to lead experiential learning activities, and be able to bring that expertise back to your school. These workshops delve into structured group activities, experiential learning theory, sequencing, needs assessment, program planning, framing, and debriefing. They include the essential resources that enable your staff to put these skills into practice immediately.
For more information about Train-the-Trainer programs, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!
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Urban Expeditions
On NYC Outward Bound Schools’ Urban Expeditions students travel NYC streets and neighborhoods to discover the richness and diversity of our city.
Urban Expeditions
On NYC Outward Bound Schools’ Urban Expeditions students travel NYC streets and neighborhoods to discover firsthand the forces that shape our city.
Students engage with people, food, places, and activities that may be very different from their own experience. Community service learning, leadership development and adventure activities are interwoven throughout.
During their Urban Expeditions, students learn to appreciate diversity and the value of service, participate in a service learning project, and take away other important lessons and skills that they can apply in their classroom.
For more information about Urban Expeditions, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!
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Backpacking
Strapping it all on your back and setting out into the wilderness is a dramatic change of pace for most students, especially those living in New York City.
Backpacking
Strapping it all on your back and setting out into the wilderness is a dramatic change of pace for most students, especially those living in New York City. Students are taught to pitch tarps, cook meals, read topographic maps, purify water, build fires, navigate, and keep themselves and each other safe. Through these activities, students build self-reliance, community, self-confidence, and trust.
For more information about Backpacking, please complete this form and we will contact you shortly!