Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery, and service both in and out of the classroom. Outward Bound delivers programs using unfamiliar settings as a way for participants across the country to experience adventure and challenge in a way that helps students realize they can do more than they thought possible.

Crew: These are the people you’ll travel with on your Outward Bound Expedition. Over the course of your adventure, you’ll get to know each other really well—overcoming obstacles together, celebrating your accomplishments, and sharing amazing experiences that can be hard to describe to others. The bonds you form with your crew can be pretty incredible, and often last far beyond the Expedition itself.

Leave No Trace (LNT): Leave No Trace is the guiding philosophy we use on OB Expeditions when it comes to taking care of the environment around us. Our goal is to leave each place we visit just as clean—if not cleaner—than we found it, so that everyone who comes after us can also enjoy its natural wonder.

Character: Our character is made up of the personal traits that define us. Building positive character traits is at the core of all our Outward Bound programs, and can help create confidence and feelings of personal success. Now that’s worthy of some practice!

Outdoors / Greenspace: The outdoors can be many different things: big beautiful forests, high towering mountains, your local city park, or even your Grandma’s backyard. Science shows the benefits of enjoying nature (like feeling calm, sleeping better, staying focused) can happen in greenspaces of every size and shape, so get out there and soak it up!

Reflection: Reflection is an important part of the learning process. Thinking back on what you experienced and felt earlier in the day allows you to process, and take ownership of, the new things you learned or tried. Reflection is incorporated into every Outward Bound Expedition, whether through group discussion or solo time.

G-A-Q (Go Around Question): Have you ever thought about what animal you would be for a day? Or what type of kitchen utensil best describes you? GAQs are just one of the many types of conversations we dive into on the trail. The crazier the questions, the better!

Comfort Zone: Picture yourself relaxed, and doing something you love. It feels familiar, right? Doesn’t stress you out? Whatever you’re picturing, this activity
is in your comfort zone. While having a comfort zone is a good thing, research tells us that most of our learning comes from stepping beyond our comfort zone into our challenge zone. It may sometimes feel a bit harder or scarier, but with practice, activities that push you into your challenge zone help to build more confidence in the long run.

Expedition: Different than a regular everyday trip, Outward Bound Expeditions are incredible experiences where groups of students travel together to explore the wilderness—and discover more about themselves along the way. Each day, as you set off for a new location, you’ll develop your leadership skills, practice navigating for your crew, learn how to take care of yourself and each other, and gain tactical experience cooking and setting up or camp for the night.

Evening Meeting: With so much happening each day on an Expedition, it’s nice to come together with your crew for an Evening Meeting and reflect on the highs and lows of the day. This quieter time together gives everyone the chance to appreciate their crew, celebrate challenges you overcame together, and look forward to the many awesome adventures still to come.