Mind Body Soul Compact - Outward Bound

Mind Body Soul Compact

For Ages 16-18 Duration 8 days

Keen to experience OB but short on time or not sure you’re ready for the full 21 day course? Then our Mind Body Soul Compact is a great way to dip your toe in (or maybe your whole foot!) and give it a go.

In a supportive environment, you will have the opportunity to develop a positive identity and mindset to tackle challenges head on. Combining adventure, working in a team, and service in the local community, MBS Compact builds transferable skills and attitudes to take on future personal and societal challenges. You will leave motivated and inspired to make a positive difference in your own life and those of others.

OB is for everyone. Who wouldn’t want to find new strength, a clearer picture of who you want to become, and 13 new friends who love and support you through your best and worst? OB will open your eyes to the pathway to your best self.

Claire, Huria 668

Bookings & Fees

Please note: invdiduals that know each other are unable to book on the same course

6 Jan 2025 – 13 Jan 2025

$3,500 (incl. GST)

Join waitlist now

19 Jan 2025 – 26 Jan 2025

$3,500 (incl. GST)

Join waitlist now

8 Apr 2025 – 15 Apr 2025

$3,500 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

20 Apr 2025 – 27 Apr 2025

$3,500 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

11 Jul 2025 – 18 Jul 2025

$3,650 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

19 Sep 2025 – 26 Sep 2025

$3,650 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

2 Oct 2025 – 9 Oct 2025

$3,650 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

2 Dec 2025 – 9 Dec 2025

$3,650 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

15 Dec 2025 – 22 Dec 2025

$3,650 (incl. GST)

Spaces available

Not quite ready to book? Message Payment options

PRICE INCREASE EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JULY 2024. Please note that some course fees will incur a price increase from this date.
Find more information about what your course fee covers here.

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About the course

Mind Body Soul Compact is the perfect course for those who:

  • Are genuinely motivated to develop teamwork and leadership skills, want to connect with a nature and gain a better understanding of their personal strengths
  • Have home or school commitments that means a shorter course suits better
  • Want to find out what Outward Bound is all about
  • Have limited experience away from your home environment or region

Our 8-day MBS Compact courses offers you the opportunity to connect with people from all over Aotearoa, challenge yourself physically, mentally, and unpack the potential that lies within.

This course combines some of the classic Outward Bound adventures with working in a team, self-discovery and service in the local community. You will develop transferable skills and attitudes leaving motivated and inspired to make a positive difference in your own and the lives of others.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award

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.

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Outcomes

  • Greater self-belief and confidence in your abilities
  • An appreciation or awareness of the benefits of having a digital detox
  • More confidence in group situations and better communication skills
  • Increased resilience and problem-solving skills
  • Motivation to take on challenges
  • New perspectives and an appreciation of diversity of others
  • Connection with the natural world
  • Motivation for participating and contributing more in your community

Alumni Feedback:

 

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Programme

Each Outward Bound course is unique.

On MBS Compact you will;

  • Spend 8 days / 7 nights with other 16/17 year olds from all over NZ
  • Have 2 dedicated instructors and one watch assistant with you each day
  • Spend 4 nights at Anakiwa and 3 nights camping or at an offsite base
  • Spend time training for a water activity and tramping/camping
  • Embark on a 3-day journey
  • Spend a day giving back to the local community

There will be early starts with physical training each day and a dip in the sea. We will explore your values and attitudes that will help you be the best version of yourself. After each activity there will be reflection sessions.

SAMPLE programme (note this is just a guide as to what to expect)

No two Outward Bound courses are the same but whatever activities you do, you will discover what you are capable of and build your self-belief through shared adventures with your watch.

DAY 1

12.30 - Arrive in Picton and meet your watch mates for the next 8 days. Get to know each other on your way to Anakiwa

2pm - Meet the rest of the Outward Bound staff and settle into your new home. Tour of school and first day induction

6pm - Enjoy delicious kai lovingly prepared by our kitchen team

7pm - Spend more time getting to know each other in fun and engaging ways

10pm - Lights out

DAY 2

6.20am - Start the day with some exercise and a dip in the sea

7.30am - Delicious breakfast to fuel the body for a day of activity

9am - Get up high in our ropes course and learn about challenging yourself and supporting each other

12.30pm - Packed lunch

1pm - Spend the afternoon and evening in the local bush learning camp and bush craft skills

DAY 3

AM - Return to base putting the new skills you have learnt into action

PM - Spend the afternoon training on one of our water activities

DAYS 4,5,6

Head out of Anakiwa for 3 days exploring the Marlborough Sounds with a combination of tramping and travelling on the moana (sea) using the skills you have developed

DAY 7

Develop service skills by giving to the local community and experience more Outward Bound adventures

DAY 8

Time to celebrate and prepare to head home with all your new skills

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What you'll need

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.

Gear list

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Disconnect to Reconnect

Being without technology for the duration of your course can be one of the most empowering experiences but it's normal to feel a bit anxious about handing over your connection to the outside world. We caught up with 4 students from our Mind Body Soul course to see how they were feeling about being device free and what they thought about the experience after three weeks.
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FAQs

Some of our commonly asked questions answered...

MBS Compact is designed for students who are motivated to attend Outward Bound but are not able to commit to a 21 day course, or might have limited experience away from home. Students need to be motivated to work in a team, keen to connect with nature and give adventurous activities a go and interested in developing skills to participate more in their community.

To get the most out of your course, you’ll be able to:

  • Walk/run 3km in 25 minutes.
  • Participate in a full day of physical activity

We expect there to be varying degrees of motivation on the course and we will work hard to support your teen through these challenges. However, if your young person feels sent on this course, they are unlikely to experience positive outcomes. We recommend you talk with your young person and that they are aware and informed about what an Outward Bound course involves and most importantly they are willing to give it a go. When they get here, if a student is determined to leave we cannot and will not make them stay. A student who is not willing to fully participate can compromise the safety and quality of the course and we will call you to arrange for your teen to travel home.

View all our Frequently Asked Questions

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