ONE-WEEK COURSE
A short course with a big impact. This one-week adventure is perfect for teens who want to challenge themselves, connect with others and explore what they're capable of - without stepping too far from home or school commitments.
$4,198 incl. GST
or secure your spot with a $395 deposit
The full spirit of our classic course, packed into one week. You’ll tramp, take to the water and work through challenges with a crew of teens from all over New Zealand. Everyone arrives as strangers. Everyone takes a turn leading. And two highly-trained kaiako (instructors) are with your crew every day, knowing when to push and when to back off.
Our one-week course for teens is a supported first taste of independence, right as big decisions about life after school start to land. You’ll come home more confident, more resilient, and with a better idea of what you’re capable of.
What can you expect?
No two courses are exactly the same and we don't hand out the full plan. Not knowing what's next is part of it. But you can expect early starts, daily physical activity and time for reflection. Along the way, you'll explore your values and strengths with your crew, through shared challenges.
Day 2
Along the coastline
Early run and a dip in the sea, breakfast, then a check-in with your crew. The morning is coasteering: navigating your way along the coastline, on the rocks and in the water, at a pace that suits your crew. Back to Anakiwa for dinner and a debrief on the day.
Day 3
Up in the ropes
Run and sea dip, breakfast, a quick clean of the watch house, then high ropes. You'll back yourself, and your crew, metres off the ground. You'll help cook and clean up dinner, then crash in the watch house.
Day 5
Giving back
Your crew spends the morning on mahi aroha, volunteering in the local community. In the afternoon, you'll reflect on your week: what you've learned, what surprised you, and what you'll take home.
Course outcomes
Every activity is designed to build skills and attitudes teens can carry into school, study and life beyond. For many, it's their first real time away from home, and a supported first taste of what they're capable of.
Real self-belief
Taking on challenges they'd normally avoid shows them what they're capable of, and that confidence comes home with them.
Independence
A week away from home, phones and routine, with the support to discover they can handle it.
Resilience under pressure
When plans change or things get tough, they learn to stay calm, adapt and keep going.
Friendships and social confidence
A crew from all over NZ, and more confidence speaking up, communicating and working as part of a group.
Leadership experience
Everyone takes a turn leading their crew, building skills that stand out to schools, universities and employers.
A clearer sense of direction
Time to reflect on what matters to them, right as big decisions about life after school start to take shape.
Course Dates & Fees
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.
More Information
Our alumni say it best
Frequently Asked Questions
Our one-week course 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.
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it! With that being said, Outward Bound is not a bootcamp. In fact, our instructors are experts at creating an environment where the most powerful challenges are mental and emotional, not just physical. The goal isn't to be the fastest or strongest. It's to learn what you're truly capable of.
As you'll be on your feet a lot, we do require a basic level of fitness to ensure you can safely and confidently participate: to run or walk 3kms within 25 minutes and to be comfortable in water with a life jacket. It's much more achievable than you think!
Check out 'Preparing for Outward Bound' to learn more about fitness and swimming requirements.
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.
We keep you well fed with healthy and delicious food. This includes all meals and snacks. We also cater to a variety of dietary requirements. Just 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!
If you get your period while on course, you’ll be fully supported. We provide private spaces for you to manage it, and your group will carry a period kit with extra supplies and hygiene items. Our staff will guide you on how to manage your period in an outdoor environment, and your watch will be encouraged to support one another with respect and care. For a more detailed breakdown of how we support students who menstruate, click here.
Want to chat?
If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to talk to someone about this course, get in touch!