OUTBACK WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP  ages 14-16

Tucked in the back woods of the Camp Greenville property, our Outback two-week adventure program is busy building community, learning wilderness skills and growing future outdoor leaders. Hosting separate boys and girls bunk house cabins with a water supply, shower house and a full outdoor kitchen, Outback counselors and the director stay with the group for the entirety of their program: teaching valuable skills and having a whole lot of fun on the way. Outdoor cooking, high ropes, service projects, canoeing and a final backpacking trip are just a few of the events included in the program. At the end of the session, Outbackers participate in a celebratory banquet and a final campfire before saying goodbye to their new found family. Outback operates self-sufficiently as a special camp society in the woods where everyone belongs! Outback offers opportunities through wilderness challenges and personal exploration to develop greater independence, better leadership skills, and deeper, genuine friendships as the participants bond into a community.

The Philosophy

To grow and develop into healthy adults, teenagers need the opportunity to step outside their normal, and sometimes confining, social environment and peer group. They can then enter into a supportive environment that offers achievable challenges, goal setting and obtainment, and the opportunity to try new and different activities than normally pursued. Through these opportunities, adolescents can develop a better perspective on their objectives, prioritize what is important in life, and improve their confidence in setting and reaching goals. 

Guiding this experience is a staff dedicated to bringing forward the potential of each individual camper and fostering personal growth through positive role modeling, listening skills, enthusiasm and their experience working with adolescents. The result is a fun and memorable experience which lasts well into the school year.

The Experience

Imagine the fun new adventures you will enjoy as you arrive at the top of the mountain to Camp Greenville.  You will be greeted by the Outback Director and Counselors and meet the other teens that will become your good friends during this amazing experience. Your leaders will help you and your new friends settle into the Outback Village, your own electricity-free community equipped with male and female cabins, a shower house (with hot water), an outdoor kitchen with gas stoves, and a fire ring. 

From there, you will learn about the Outback activities, including events that will challenge and expand your capabilities, such as our double level ropes course with zip line, rock climbing, learning wilderness skills, a service opportunity at a nearby camp for disabled adults, and more. These events will prepare you and your team to then take on a multi-day backpacking trip through a beautiful mountain landscape near camp.  On the trail you will quickly master leave-no-trace camping, trail cooking, and map compass reading. 

After the trip, you and your friends will talk about the adventure you shared as you plan for your solo experience, celebratory dinner, and closing camp fire. The experience concludes with packing up your very dirty clothes, saying goodbye to good friends, and making a list of the new adventures you are ready to try.

The Result

The Outback experience creates lasting friendships, good memories, improved self-awareness and the opportunity to be a valuable member of a community. Outbackers learn to work past differences, challenge themselves, lead others and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. The results of the program can be seen in the campers as they walk away with pride, determination and a vision of new frontiers in which to challenge themselves.

Note: The Outback is a active and challenging program, and is for teens that are emotionally and physically healthy.