Broadreach and Academic Treks offer experiential summer adventures for teenagers ages 13–18, including scuba, sailing, marine biology, language immersion, community service and wilderness programs that span the globe. We’ve taken thousands of teenagers to some of the world’s most incredible destinations — the islands of the Caribbean, Australia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Canada, Central and South America, South Africa, the Sinai Peninsula and France. Our multi-activity adventures offer a wide variety of pursuits including scuba diving, sailing, surfing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, backcountry hiking, camel trekking, whale and dolphin studies, and community service. Academic Treks students earn college credit and up to 55 hours in community service. Trips are 15 to 30 days in length in June, July, and August.

Broadreach’s educational adventures provide opportunities for teenagers to learn new skills and explore the world in an active, hands-on environment that fully immerses the participant in the experience. Each trip has its own blend of discoveries and challenges, designed to take advantage of the unique character and opportunities of the regions we visit. Combining the thrill of discovery, the pride of accomplishment and the excitement of exploration, Broadreach programs focus on individual initiative, group dynamics and genuine participation in the world.

Broadreach is not a teen tour or traditional summer camp. We don’t travel in buses, large groups or flotillas of sailboats. The cornerstone of our program design and philosophy is our small group size of just 10–14 participants. Living in a small group promotes teamwork, leadership, compromise and consideration, teaching important lessons applicable to life that will last long after the program is over. Opportunities are created not only by our course design, but by the group itself. Staff and students come together as a team to make the adventure happen. Our staff gives participants individual attention and helps to shape the trip around the goals and abilities of the group. In a small group, you can relax and be yourself. The supportive, non-competitive atmosphere created allows participants to appreciate others for who they are and make close friendships with people who have diverse interests and backgrounds.

Broadreachers do things they never thought they would do, see places they never thought they would see and explore our world on a level they never could with their family or on their own. We have programs for most abilities and interests and no experience is required for many of our trips. Just come with a desire to try new things and broaden your experiences.

SOAR staff lead expeditions in North Carolina, Florida Keys, Wyoming, California, and Costa Rica.

Youth build self-confidence, develop social skills, work on leadership and communication skills, while enjoying the many challenges of our wilderness areas.

Adventure activities include wilderness backpacking, horsepacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, wildlife studies, mountaineering, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and wilderness medicine. Summer expeditions range from two to four weeks in length. Shorter adventures of three to seven days are planned for the spring, fall and winter. Semester-length courses are available in the spring and fall.

The student to staff ratio is low.

Join Adventure Treks for two, three and four week Adventures for young adults ages 13 - 18 in the amazing scenery of the North American West. How many teenagers get to Climb Mount Saint Helens, sea kayak with seals, rock climb famous cliffs, or raft big northwestern whitewater? Join students from all over the country and the world. Discover fun, friendships, adventure, community and growth. Program features a 1:4 instructor to student ratio. contact us today for a 2008 brochure and DVD.

“I tell parents they won’t believe their good fortune to have stumbled upon such a wholesome organization, with fabulous instructors, who use fun and adventure to tap into a facet of your child’s character, endurance, or personality that had never before found expression.”
F.D. Fields, parent from Pittsburg, PA

At North Carolina Outward Bound, you won't just run a class III whitewater rapid, summit a snow-covered peak or paddle a sea kayak. You'll learn how to read the river or to navigate the waters using a chart and compass.


You'll learn wilderness travel skills, participate in increasingly challenging activities and become part of a team committed to discovery and responsible risk-taking. As your group becomes competent in technical outdoor skills, instructors turn the responsibility over to you and your crew. You may captain a boat, lead an ascent or navigate your group through difficult terrain.


You'll replenish your body, mind and spirit, exploring remote wilderness landscapes. Out here, there are no cell phones, no computers, no television - no distractions from really getting to know yourself and your crewmates. Absorb every element of your experience %96 the feel of your muscles at the end of a long day, the satisfaction of overcoming an obstacle, the knowledge of new skills.


Imagine waking with the sunrise, bathing in the ocean or drinking from a cool mountain stream. Out here, nature becomes something other than what's outside your door. It's your home and your companion 24/7. You'll live a simple, low-impact lifestyle, learning the effects of human activities in the wilderness. Instruction in Leave No Trace, natural history and ecosystem preservation helps you make environmentally responsible choices on course and in your daily life as you care for and protect the earth's fragile resources.


You'll also gain an opportunity to reflect - alone and as a group - on accomplishments and setbacks. As part of a team of six to 12 students, you support each other in course activities, share moments of hilarity, inspiration and struggle, and develop friendships. Led by two Outward Bound instructors, you establish goals that call for leadership, group decision-making, organization and a unified effort.


Throughout the course, you cultivate compassion by growing through new experiences with others who often have different perspectives than yours. An ethic of service to each other, the local community and the environment is built through working as a team and shared participation in service projects.


Above all, with North Carolina Outward Bound, you'll explore a world of possibilities and live bigger.