Character Matters
Imagine Your Students...
...Unplugging, shouldering a canoe, charting a course, lightening a friend’s load, initiating courageous conversations, forging friendships, experiencing belonging... stargazing, discovering strengths, tapping into joy, growing grit, finding confidence... and developing character.
Character Expedition
- 8 days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or St Croix Riverway
- college or high school students
- summer or fall 2026
- 7 students + 2 Outward Bound instructors per crew
- student character certificate & recommendation
Character Research & Community
- EMA pre and post custom survey, student interviews & data analysis
- annual character roundtable & cohort convenings
- national impact publications & presentations
- storytelling, elevation, media & video
Character Cohort Specs
Value
- Character Expedition— student character development, certificate & recommendation
- Research— evaluation, data & impact reporting
- Community— annual roundtable, publication, presentations, video & messaging
Support
- Design— customized expedition program for your learning community goals
- Admissions— student recruitment, info sessions & readiness screening
- Impact— student surveys, program evaluation & debrief meeting
Investment
- $15,400— cohort participation + 1 expedition crew (7 students)
- $30,800— cohort participation + 2 expedition crews (14 students)
- $46,200— cohort participation + 3 expedition crews (21 students)
*If you are a youth-serving nonprofit or public school and require funding to participate, please inquire about support. Funding may be available to support historically marginalized students.
“On this trip, I started to discover how strong I really am and to explore my full potential. I learned how to work well in group settings, how to try new things, and how to speak up when I have ideas.”
- Culver Academies Alum
“I went Outward Bound 2 weeks before college. I was feeling unsure about my place in this new community, but this program gave me a sense of belonging, and the skills I need to thrive.”
- University of Notre Dame Alum
"An unforgettable experience—pushing boundaries, building confidence, and developing important leadership and teamwork skills. Your team’s thoughtful planning, expert guidance, and dedication made a tremendous difference. Thank you for creating such a safe, empowering, and memorable adventure.”
- Girls Inc. Executive Director
"Youth-serving nonprofits, high schools, colleges and powerful institutions like NACAC and EMA have a vested interest in helping students and learning communities grow character. Educators and researchers know that character development is central to college readiness, access, and success. Character really matters.”
- NACAC Character Focus Initiative Chair
Join the Character Crew
Contact Partnership Officer Susan Farrell
susan.farrell@vobs.org • 651.321.4626
The Character Roundtable
On October 22, 2025, Voyageur Outward Bound hosted a Character Roundtable that brought together members of the 2025 Character Cohort in a dynamic, student-focused gathering to listen and learn. Members and their students were joined by leaders in secondary and higher education, character development and research, admissions, youth-serving nonprofits, high schools and colleges. The materials from the roundtable are linked below.
Character Roundtable Recording - passcode uz*8FJ2H
2026 Character Roundtable PPT
2026 Character Cohort Info Sheet
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