Voyageur Outward Bound School

Voyageur Outward Bound School The official page for the Voyageur Outward Bound School. For school info visit www.vobs.org

Founded in 1964 in Ely, MN by Bob Pieh, VOBS has a long tradition of experiential education, outdoor adventure and value based leadership. We now operate our wilderness basecamp, Homeplace, as well as an urban center in the Twin Cities.

Winter is a great time to explore! YOU can experience the pristine frozen paradise of the Boundary Waters with the exper...
08/25/2026

Winter is a great time to explore! YOU can experience the pristine frozen paradise of the Boundary Waters with the expertise of the VOBS team to guide you! New friends, snow, and loveable sled dogs an the experience of a lifetime. Take a peek at our winter course offerings at VOBS.ORG and start planning your winter adventure!

Looking for a good read this summer? We recommend checking out a book authored by members of the Voyageur Outward Bound ...
08/24/2026

Looking for a good read this summer?

We recommend checking out a book authored by members of the Voyageur Outward Bound School community.

Carry the Flame and The Epic of You are recent releases now available for purchase.

Know of any other good reads written by Voyageur or Outward Bound alumni? Let us know! Email [email protected] with details.

🚨 1980s ROLL CALL! 🚨We're taking a trip down memory lane! Whether you navigated through the backcountry, conquered the r...
08/20/2026

🚨 1980s ROLL CALL! 🚨

We're taking a trip down memory lane! Whether you navigated through the backcountry, conquered the rivers, or slept under the stars, your crew is part of our history.

If you were an instructor or went on a course in the '80s, this one is for you!

Drop a comment below with:
🗓️ Your Course Year
🗺️ Your Course Area/Location
🎒 A favorite memory, crew member or instructor name

Scroll through the comments and see if any of your old crewmates are hiding in plain sight! Let’s reconnect. 👇

Senator Martin Heinrich spent some time at Homeplace this morning and we were so excited to welcome him. As a part of hi...
08/19/2026

Senator Martin Heinrich spent some time at Homeplace this morning and we were so excited to welcome him. As a part of his visit with Save The Boundary Waters, the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is spending 5 days in the region learning and experiencing the amazing Boundary Waters Canoe Area and its people. Thanks so much for all that you do Senator and for becoming a part of the VOBS family.

Next month's Pathfinder course in the BWCA is nearly full! This 30-day adventure is perfect for young adults who are rea...
08/19/2026

Next month's Pathfinder course in the BWCA is nearly full! This 30-day adventure is perfect for young adults who are ready to grow their skills in goal setting, self awareness, and charting the next steps towards the future. Make friends, connect with nature, and find your purpose with Voyageur! Find more information on our website www.VOBS.org or by visiting our link in bio.

We're excited that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed an Executive Order to keep copper-sulfide mining out of the Ra...
08/18/2026

We're excited that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed an Executive Order to keep copper-sulfide mining out of the Rainy River Watershed and also is directing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation that would PERMANETLY BAN sulfide-ore copper mining in the watershed! This is a huge win for protecting the Boundary Waters, where Voyageur has been proud to operate for the past 60 years.

Who Let the Dogs Out?Voyageur Outward Bound School is excited to celebrate the newest addition to the Homeplace dog yard...
08/17/2026

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Voyageur Outward Bound School is excited to celebrate the newest addition to the Homeplace dog yard: Amber’s Run, a new, spacious area where our favorite furry coworkers can run, socialize, train, and enjoy enriching activities.

Made possible through a generous donor, dedicated staff, and an incredible team of volunteers, Amber’s Run is already making a meaningful difference in the lives of our sled dogs.

“We’re able to take on projects like this because people believe in what we do and want to help make it happen,” Winter Program Director Nora DuBois shared. “So many improvements we’ve made over the years wouldn’t have been possible without that support. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a community that cares so deeply about giving our dogs the very best.”

Learn more about Amber's Run in the Voyageur Outward Dog Village at https://www.outwardbound.org/vobs/blog/ambers-run-growing-more-confident-well-rounded-dogs/

💗 🐾 The Amber's Run project was funded through the generosity of a donor who wanted to improve the lives of our canine pals. The run is appropriately named after the their own furry pal (Amber) who loved to run but is sadly no longer with us—an appropriate way to honor Amber’s legacy and give VOBS sled dogs the space to play and run during their off season. Learn more about impact giving opportunities at https://www.outwardbound.org/vobs/give-back/donor-community/impact-sponsorship/

Resilience In Action on Monday, August 17!Learn how wildfires and new legislation are impacting Voyageur Outward Bound S...
08/14/2026

Resilience In Action on Monday, August 17!

Learn how wildfires and new legislation are impacting Voyageur Outward Bound School and the Boundary Waters during our hybrid event.

Hear from leaders at VOBS and Save the Boundary Waters about what’s happening in the BWCAW and how you can make a difference.

📍 Twin Cities In-Person Watch Party at the VOBS Twin Cities Center: 5:30 pm (Free snacks, drinks & postcard writing to reps!)
💻 Zoom Stream: 6:00 pm CST

RSVP here ➡️ https://www.outwardbound.org/vobs/connect/events/community-zoom-series/

🪵 Campfire Call Out! 🪵Think back to your course. Who was the ultimate hype-person? The snack-sharer? The one who kept ev...
08/12/2026

🪵 Campfire Call Out! 🪵

Think back to your course. Who was the ultimate hype-person? The snack-sharer? The one who kept everyone laughing when it rained?

Tag or mention your irreplaceable crewmate below and drop a favorite memory! 👇💬

Address

1007 Spruce Road
Ely, MN
55731

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