The Insight Series

Together, you will explore your strengths and build your skills with single-day adventures during the school year. Why? You are a leader, and we want to help you grow your leadership skills for life.

We’ll help you discover belonging, strength and purpose so you can:

• find connection
• build confidence
• pursue your hopes and dreams

Each Insight Day will get you out to a near wilderness or urban location for a special adventure in the outdoors. No experience necessary! Just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure.

VOBS Instructors are friendly, fun and knowledgeable. They will invite you to try new things, and practice leadership, in a safe learning space.  

Outward Bound is a national leadership organization. We’ve been in America since 1963. There are 11 Outward Bound schools across the country. Your school is the Minnesota school-- Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS). Thousands of students go Outward Bound with VOBS every year.

VOBS isn’t a “school” in the traditional sense. Our classroom is nature. We teach leadership skills to people ages 12 and up. We specialize in working with young adults like you, to grow belonging, strength and purpose, so you can succeed at home, school and life. Outward Bound creates the conditions for learning and thriving.

Outward Bound Leadership Learning & You

Learning > Leadership > Responsibility

Each Outward Bound student activates peer and personal leadership through challenge, adventure, teamwork, trust and vulnerability. At Outward Bound, you and your crew develop character and community together-- more resilient and compassionate people, for a more resilient and compassionate world.

Outward Bound students practice and grow key social-emotional skills across four "Domains of Thriving," leading to vital character outcomes for success at home, in school, career and life. Outward Bound promotes belonging, strength and purpose for developing leaders like you through fun hands-on skill development with friends-- in your community, and in the wilderness. 

Domains of Thriving

Belonging, Courage, Physical Engagement & Reflection

Great outcomes for your leadership:

• Teamwork
• Self-Awareness
• Social Responsibility
• Assertiveness
• Perseverance
• Physical Confidence
• Self-Regulation

Discover more about Outward Bound:

VOBS:  Twin Cities Center

Outward Bound's Educational Approach

Six Pivotal Points

VOBS flexes to meet student and organization need. In some cases, weather, calendars and other events may impact the order of your Insight adventures, but you can expect to participate in all of the activities listed below during this school year. Scroll up slightly for your up-to-date Insight calendar. 

Launch Day

The Launch Day will kick off your Outward Bound experience for the year. Our Instructors will come to your school to get to know you and your classmates, facilitate some fun games and challenges for you, and help you get excited for the year ahead. This is your chance to get to know Outward Bound, your Instructors, and your teammates who will join you on Insight days for the rest of the school year. You won't want to miss this day of fun. If you aren't sure what to think of Outward Bound, this is the day to learn more and see what it's all about! 

Outdoor Rock Climbing

 Today, you’ll climb in one of Minnesota’s most beautiful places-- Taylor’s Falls on the St Croix River. The rocks you climb are 3.5 billion years old-- some of the oldest on earth. You’ll climb in a sweet spot just above the T-Falls gorge, which is a gorgeous spot for scenery and wildlife. Today, you’ll bring ALL the skills to your climb-- confidence, compassion, voice and choice. Today is your day to lead with and for your crew. We’ll deepen the day with debriefs and leadership initiatives. For your graduation, you’ll reflect on belonging, strength and purpose, appreciate your peers and recognize your own leadership accomplishments. This is your opportunity to recognize your growth, and chart your course as a leader. Expect to spend the day outside and engage in a physically demanding activity. VOBS will supply additional gear you may need.

 Wilderness Skills

What if you were heading somewhere new and your phone stopped working? What would you do? How would you get where you need to go, and who or what would you enlist for help? During your Wilderness skills day you'll learn skills to help you get outside with confidence. The day will be full of twists and turns as you navigate wilderness scavenger hunts, learn to build fires, and how to set up tents. You’ll learn surprising things about yourself and others. Expect to be outside for up to 5 hours and dress for the weather-- don’t be cool if it’s cold-- think warmth over style. We’ll bring some extra layers along to keep you toasty. We’ll probably put on a few miles over the course of the day, so wear comfortable shoes. These skills will be useful in subsequent Insight days, and if you decide to come on an expedition with us in the future. 

Winter skills

Minnesota = winter. And winter means snow here in MN. Learn to snowshoe and learn to love winter. This super traditional mode of travel has been used around the world for centuries. We’ll spend the day at a nearby park, learning to survive and thrive in winter. Think you hate winter? Think again. Learn the art of fire-building, and winter cooking. Think you can’t spend the whole day outside? You can! And, trust us, it WILL be fun. Your winter adventure marks the midpoint of your VOBS leadership journey. We’ll reflect on what you’ve learned about yourself and others so far, how your community has grown, and talk about your leadership opportunities and goals. Don’t worry, VOBS will help you dress for winter success and supply extra gear to keep you cozy and comfortable. 

Skiing

You’ll have a second winter adventure to deepen our leadership learning. This Insight day introduces you to another favorite snowy skill-- skiing. “Nordic” or “cross country” skiing is something people have been doing in snowy climates since they could chop down trees and make skis. Did you know that some skis used to be made out of bone, or covered with fish skin or animal hide? Now you do! This is flat land skiing (not “downhill”), and the adventure is just right for challenge and discovery. Even if you’ve skied before, this time around you’re doing it with a crew of people you care about. Give yourself permission to slip, slide, fall and laugh-- it’s all going to happen, and it’s more than okay. This is a great bonding activity, and it is usually a crowd favorite for young leaders. As always, no experience necessary, and VOBS will provide all the gear you need. VOBS staff will support you, and keep you safe, but you choose your level of challenge. You’ll debrief the day, and look for leadership lessons to carry forward into your next adventure.

Canoeing

*Special Note:  Upon completion of your final Insight day, you will become a VOBS Scholar, and you will be eligible to enroll in a VOBS Leadership Expedition (multi-day trip) of your choice tuition-free. We believe in you, and want to continue to support your leadership journey with a full scholarship to the course of your choice. VOBS and your organization will share more with you about this opportunity at graduation.