Summer Expeditions FAQ
Summer Expeditions FAQ
Where do we sleep while camping?
Participants sleep in 3-person dome tents or under tarp shelters, which they are responsible for setting up.
Do we get to take showers?
You will not have the opportunity to take showers during the course. However, there are many refreshing water sources along the way and you will be able to shower at the end of course before you return home.
Who participates on these courses?
Thompson Island Outward Bound delivers Summer Expedition programs for students enrolled in the Boston Public Schools district and other established school group partners. To see if you qualify, email sford@thompsonisland.org or call 617.830.5131.
For all other individuals, Outward Bound continues to provide a wide variety of programs for all ages throughout the country and internationally, through other Outward Bound schools and centers. Please visit www.outwardbound.org or call 866.467.7651 for more information.
What is ‘solo’?
Solo is a time for reflection and introspection. Students relax and recharge as they think about what they have experienced throughout their course. Typically solo lasts anywhere from two to eight hours, depending on the progress of the group. It is not a survival exercise. Each student is assigned an area, provided with water, food and other essentials, and monitored by instructors.
May I call home?
Students are not allowed to call home unless it is an emergency or extenuating circumstance, in which case they will be given access to a phone.
How many instructors per group?
There typically are two instructors in the field per group: a lead instructor and an assistant instructor.
How old are the instructors?
Instructors are on average from 22 to 32 years of age. More experienced lead instructors tend to be in their mid-twenties and older. Summer interns who help support courses are typically in their early twenties.
What kind of training do instructors have?
All instructors are required to meet rigorous industry and organizational standards, and to carry Wilderness Medicine and CPR/AED certifications. Lead instructors are required to have Wilderness First Responder certification as a minimum, and have extensive field experience working with youth and leading expeditions. Many instructors have backgrounds in education, child development, outdoor education and clinical studies.
Does Thompson Island Outward Bound check the backgrounds of its instructors?
Yes, we conduct a GIS national background check on all employees.
May I contact alumni?
Yes. Contact us by email or by phone and we will provide you with names and phone numbers of alumni. Email: sford@thompsonisland.org or call 617.830.5131.
