Past applicants have shown creative project ideas, dedication to building community, excellent organizational skills, timely communication, and a willingness to push themselves.

The solo is near the end of the trip and is a time when students are separated from one another and the Instructors in order to have solitude from the group. Instructors are never more than a brief walk away from student solo sites and they will check in on students to provide water refills, administer any medication needed, clean up any cuts and scrapes that might have come from the rigors of navigating the backcountry and ultimately check on the general well-being of students.

The purpose of the solo is to reflect on course and any learnings that came up, and also to have a break from the rigors of course.

No, no previous experience needed. You need to be excited to step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself!

Every service day will consist of the theme for the day, an organization location to work with, an intention for the group to focus on and finally a discussion topic at the end of the service day.

Service day projects are planned and designed by students in small groups (2-3 students). This group will pick a project to support. Every project will consist of a Tone Set, Service Project, and a Reflection.

The YLC instructors and mentors work with students to help them develop their understanding of what makes an effective leader by teaching SMART goal setting, collaboration, commitment to service, and problem-solving. We do this by providing opportunities to experience real-life situations that force us to rely on each other and practice assessment of a given situation. 

The requirements are as follows:

• Attend orientation in June
• Complete the wilderness expedition in the High Sierras
• Help plan and implement a service project for the group to participate in.
• Have no more than 1 excused absence from a project (make-up service hours available)

• Outward Bound California has a number of events throughout the year that you may be invited to come and talk about the program with donors and friends of our community.
• Every student receives a letter of recommendation from Outward Bound California which students have used in college and job applications.
• You’ll be a part of a larger alumni network to share ideas with and seek mentorship from each other.
• You can apply to be an intern in the High Sierra or apprentice at the Ropes Course once eligible!