OOE also offers courses along the coast of Georgia. International courses allow students to explore the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Background and Philosophy OOE's mission is to provide educational opportunities that are both challenging and personally enriching to every participant. In the initial phase, participants travel to remote and pristine mountain, desert, marine, or canyon environments. OOE's wilderness philosophy concentrates on immersing groups in breathtaking natural settings and then giving them plenty of time and opportunity to explore these special places.
Students are able to appreciate the outdoors on a deeper, more personal level.
Students get to explore firsthand the deep traditional and present-day values of family and community that make each culture unique. Tight friendships are formed that pave the way for true cultural understanding. Finally, the service learning component of the course allows participants to give back to the environment and to the local people who have given so freely of themselves. While in the backcountry, groups learn various fundamental skills, such as expedition planning, provisioning, backcountry cooking, orienteering, and navigation. Environmental awareness and land stewardship are basic components of the OOE philosophy.