The Outback is two-week program for 14 to 16 year old male and female campers who desire adventure and challenge. This amazing program works through wilderness experiences and personal exploration to develop greater independence, better leadership skills, and deeper 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 find a better perspective on their situation, prioritize what is important in life, and improve their skills 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.