Ninth graders arrive at high school with a lot to learn. There are new academic demands, social dynamics, and the challenge of balancing busy schedules with extracurricular activities. But just as they begin to get into a groove, in the second semester, Ransom Everglades’ ninth graders step away from campus altogether, trading laptops for canoes and backpacks for tents.
Over the course of a three-night expedition across the Everglades, the freshman class at RE participates in an outdoor experience led by trained counselors from Outward Bound. For those three days, phones are turned in and parents are out of contact. For students attending, the only connection is with their expedition group and the nature that surrounds them.
Nati Andrade ’29 enjoyed moments of connection during an overnight paddle.
“We paddled through the night once, and it was really cool seeing all the stars,” Andrade said.
At RE, the program takes place over the course of three groups, or waves. The first wave is often considered a ‘guinea pig’ of sorts. Meanwhile, those attending in Waves 2 and 3 feel a rise in anticipation as students anxiously awaiting these later departures hear stories from classmates who have already returned.
“I’m super nervous,” said Nathan de Souza ’29 the week before his departure. “I’ve heard it’s a really harsh way of living, but everyone also says it’s one of the most fun experiences of their life after they come back. So I’m excited and nervous at the same time.”
The outdoor conditions at the time of each wave vary. Some groups face rain, cold nights and often wake-up calls they didn’t see coming.
“We went to sleep at like midnight, and we had to wake up at 2:30 in the morning,” said Mica Vadia ’29. “We had to load all the boats, and it was pitch dark. No one’s headlamps were working, and it was terrible.”
Vadia explained that a 2:30 a.m. wake-up call marked the start of a grueling paddle that lasted 13 hours as her group worked its way back to base. For most participants, days on Outward Bound often include long hours of rowing, lots of sun exposure, sore limbs, and problem-solving as a team. Despite the physical toll, colder early-morning temperatures brought one small relief: the bugs were noticeably less active.
“The bugs weren’t bad at all,” said Arthur Veloso ’29. “But the weather was really cold. It was around 35 degrees, and the sleeping bag didn’t really work, so it got pretty cold at night.”
Veloso explained that some of the highlights of his trip came from the unexpected combination of people in his group.
“At first, I thought my group was going to be bad because I didn’t have any of my close friends in it,” Veloso said. “But I ended up bonding with people I didn’t originally think I was going to be friends with.”
Research suggests that experiences like Outward Bound offer more than just great memories. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, regular interaction with nature is associated with improved mental health and reduced stress, particularly teenagers. The same study went on to show that teens who participate in structured wilderness and adventure experiences demonstrate greater confidence in their ability to handle challenges.
According to Outward Bound USA’s 2021 Outcomes Survey, 81% of participants reported gaining the courage to face new challenges. The same amount also said they could work better in a group setting. And 74% said they felt better after completing the course.
“I would for sure go back another year,” Veloso said.
While many ninth-grade students might agree, Outward Bound is not for everyone. Participation in the program is optional, and although the majority choose to attend, some opt out. For some students, the expedition is a meaningful but ‘one and done’ type of experience.
“I really liked my group, so I had a lot of fun. But if I had a different group, I don’t think I would do it again.”
Others express a similar sentiment.
“I would do it again if I had the same group,” Andrade said. She mentioned that she especially bonded with classmates she barely knew beforehand. “I wasn’t close with anyone in my group before. I kind of met them all on Outward Bound.”
That appears to be the stance for many of the students who experienced this journey into the Everglades. They survived the wilderness, but they also discovered what they brought back with them.
