For Ages 18-26 Duration 21 days
The Classic course is the original and iconic Outward Bound experience, a perfect balance of adventure and reflection. You’ll take time to consider your personal values and work out what’s important. You’ll find a sense of belonging, leaving Anakiwa with new connections and with a better understanding of yourself and your relationship to the wider world.
Outward Bound has built up my resiliance to adversity. I feel very connected to people, myself and the natural environment. The course was challanging and rewarding both physically and mentally. Overall it has impacted my life significantly and has set me up for the future as I have learnt so much.
Classic course student - April 2022
Not quite ready to book? Send us a quick messageMessage Payment plan and funding optionsPayment options
We believe in today’s digital world, we often forget to “live in the moment.” By keeping each day’s programme a surprise, we hope you can be present in the now. Here’s a sample of what you might get up to on an 8 or 21 day course in Anakiwa. But don’t hold us to it!
Day 3
Morning PT session with a short run and dip in the ocean, breakfast in dining hall, school assembly, check-in with your watch. Bus to the Pelorus River and set off on a two-day kayak journey. Campfire dinner and overnight at kayak camp. Reflection session around the campfire.
Day 4
Breakfast and day two of your kayak expedition. Return to Anakiwa for dinner, a debrief and an unpack from the last two days. Workshop session discussing coping mechanisms to conquer fear and self-perceived limitations.
Day 5
PT session, sea dip and run; breakfast in the dining hall; watch house clean; assembly; prepare for high ropes session at the school. Afternoon activity learning about personal values. Dinner in dining hall. Assist dinner service, cooking and cleaning. Overnight in watch house.
Are you completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award? Select Outward Bound courses can be used to complete your Adventurous Journey section and/or Residential section. Find more information here.
All activities on our courses are designed to build transferable skills and attitudes.
The Classic course focuses on helping young adults build focus and perspective to decide on your future direction, at an age where change and decision making is really starting to come in to play.
Of our alumni..
Key outcomes of the Classic course are:
When you come to Outward Bound, there are items that you will need to bring with you and items that we will supply. As for the things that you need to bring - we encourage you to borrow as many items as you can, or buy second hand!
Check out our course gear list for a full run down and some hot tips on what to bring and what not to.
We keep you well fed with healthy and delicious food. This includes all meals and snacks.
Make sure you tell us about any dietary requirements when you enrol. If you request a particular diet we ask that you please consume the meals that have been specially prepared for you.
We can cater for vegetarians and vegans, for halal and kosher diets, and for gluten or dairy free diets. We may also be able to accommodate some other restrictions or specific allergies, but not all – for example we can’t do 100% peanut-free (or most other life-threatening allergies), paleo, low-carb, whole-food only diets. As we regularly use wheat flour in our kitchen we are unable to guarantee no traces of gluten. We are also unable to provide facilities for you to cook your own food.
In some cases we will suggest bringing your own snacks for when out on expeditions.
We strongly recommend that you do not start any new diet for your Outward Bound course. We also recommend against any optional diet that restricts your choices or energy intake – a course is busy and physically demanding, not the best time to cut down your fuel options!
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it! You must be able to comfortably run 3km in under 25 minutes, plus complete a full day's physical activity.
Check out our guide to getting fit and healthy for OB.
Depending on which course you choose, your group will be a mix of ages. Your watchmates will come from all over NZ, from a range of social and cultural backgrounds. Many find life-long friends at Outward Bound.
There will be up to 14 people in your group and you will have two Outward Bound instructors leading you through the activities. Our watches are mixed gender (unless specified).
Courtney captured and shared her epic Classic course experience on video
Watch now on YouTube
Bookings & Fees
Outcomes
What you'll need
FAQs