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School anad Community Youth Group Courses


Thompson Island Outward Bound's School and Community Youth Group courses are designed to use adventure and challenge to help students transform themselves into better individuals, team members and leaders. We offer programs for students, youth workers, and teachers, including:

Through Outward Bound's core values, our programs use physical challenges and learning by doing activities to help students realize their potential by working together, problem solving, and communicating effectively.

Activities on an Outward Bound program may include:

  • Group initiatives
  • Low and high ropes challenge courses
  • Indoor climbing
  • Sailing
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Backpacking
  • Environmental science activities
  • Community service projects
  • School and Community Youth Groups programs use Thompson Island, Boston Harbor and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. However, our programs may be delivered at your site.

    Outward Bound Values

    Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization whose programs change lives, build teams and transform schools. We deliver adventure and challenge in the wilderness, urban settings, workrooms, and classrooms to help students achieve their possibilities, and to inspire them to serve others and care for the world around them. Outward Bound practices Experiential Education, based on the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn, who founded Outward Bound in 1941 in Wales. Outward Bound came to the United States 40 years ago.

    Environmental Exploration

    Thompson Island offers an outdoor classroom for hands-on environmental exploration. Environmental Programs include salt marsh exploration, salt marsh restoration science, forest ecology and water quality studies in Boston Harbor.

    Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

    Thompson Island is located in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area and is owned and operated by Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. The island is steeped in history and is a great place to explore.

    Natural Features

    A short 25 minute ferry ride from Boston, Thompson Island consists of 204 acres of meadows, forest, fields, salt marsh, and beaches. The island's natural features include a drumlin and a moraine; oak, tamarack, maple and birch trees; open fields, wild flowers and berry bushes; a pond; a 40-acre pristine of salt marsh and a brackish salt marsh that is the focus of a restoration project.

    Safety

    Thompson Island Education Center is committed to "relentlessly pursue incident free programs." We believe safety starts with employees who think critically about every activity, who weigh risks and hazards against the preparedness of their participants and their own capabilities, who expect the unexpected, and who act with prudence and humility. There is no substitute for the good judgment of staff and the constant watchfulness of all supervisory and support workers.

    Instructional Staff

    Our instructors enjoy working with young people and providing guidance that helps young people discover their possibilities. All Outward Bound instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders and have criminal background checks. Outward Bound instructors must be skilled in the outdoor activities relevant to the expedition they are leading. Our student to instructor ratio is low and based on the activity requirements.

    Thompson Island will customize a course to fit the needs of your school or group. To speak with a sales representative, please call 617-328-3900 x116, or e-mail youthcontracts@thompsonisland.org.

     

     

     
     
     
    P.O. BOX 127 Boston, MA 02127, Phone 617-328-3900, Fax 617-426-5637