What ages does Outward Bound accept?

Outward Bound is open to children ages 12–21. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Outward Bound cost?

Outward Bound publishes $1,255/week for the standard session. USD. Prices vary by course length and type. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Outward Bound's hours?

Outward Bound runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs Outward Bound?

Outward Bound is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 80 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Outward Bound provide lunch?

Outward Bound does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

▌ Aquatic · Ages 12–21

Outward Bound

Outward Bound · $1,255/week

Outward Bound offers challenging wilderness expeditions across the US, focusing on character development, leadership, and outdoor skills for youth and adults.

▌ Editor's read The Outward Bound website loads successfully and details a variety of wilderness expeditions for youth and adults, emphasizing character development and leadership. The organization states it has been operating for over 80 years, founded by Kurt Hahn. It is a nonprofit organization. While the website mentions a commitment to safety and staff training, specific staff-to-participant ratios are not explicitly published. The site does mention that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews for 'Outward Bound' generally show a high satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, frequently praising the transformative experiences and skilled instructors. The organization is not listed in the ACA directory. Programs are primarily overnight wilderness expeditions, not day camps.

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Since 194680+ years operating

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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 12–21

Outward Bound serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in aquatic, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: 1946 (80 years)
Operator: Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Aquatic
Ages: 12–21
Hours: 24-hour residential
Address: 4845 Pearl East Cir Ste 118 PMB 80654, Boulder, Colorado 80301-6112 USA
Cost notes: USD. Prices vary by course length and type. Financial aid is available.

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Outward Bound

What ages does Outward Bound accept?: Outward Bound is open to children ages 12–21. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Outward Bound cost?: Outward Bound publishes $1,255/week for the standard session. USD. Prices vary by course length and type. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Outward Bound's hours?: Outward Bound runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Outward Bound?: Outward Bound is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 80 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Outward Bound provide lunch?: Outward Bound does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Outward Bound with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Outward Bound.

Outward Bound - Outer Banks Sea Kayak · Outer Banks, North Carolina · Ages 16–18 · $2,667/week
Renaissance Adventures · Boulder and Denver, CO · Ages 6–17
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics · Albion College · Ages 15–18 · $2,500/week
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics · Linfield University · Ages 15–18 · $2,500/week
Thorne Nature Experience: Birds & Bird Banding · Mountain View United Methodist · Ages 11–17 · $425/week
Camp Indigo Kids - Boulder, CO · Ages 5–12
Joffrey Colorado Summer Intensive · Boulder Ballet Studios · Ages 8–18 · $849/week
Junior Golf Daily Lessons · George Wright Golf Course · Ages 7–14