Thompson Island Outward Bound

Sail or sea-kayak through Massachusetts Bay while exploring the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. The Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area, established in 1996, features 34 islands, over 1,600 acres and 35 miles of undeveloped ocean shoreline. The park’s natural resources provide a great location for adventure, historical and environmental exploration of its forts, rolling hills, forests, meadows, salt marshes and beaches. Live in the outdoors, challenge yourself climbing the 62’ Alpine Tower on Thompson Island, investigate marine ecology, learn environmental stewardship, work with National Park Rangers and participate in a service project. Visited islands may include:

Thompson Island: With 204 acres of undeveloped property, the island has mature forests, meadows, beaches, freshwater and marine wetlands, 50 acres of salt marsh and a variety of geological features. The island has been an educational institution since 1833, including the current Outward Bound center, and features several climbing elements and ropes courses.
 
Peddocks Island: At 184 acres, it is one of the largest and most diverse islands in the harbor. With the longest shoreline of any harbor island, Peddocks features hiking trails past marshes, a pond and coastal forests. The island is also one of many used by American Indians prior to settlement by Europeans in 1634.
 
Georges Island: The island sustained agricultural use for two hundred years until 1825 when the US Government acquired it for coastal defense. Over the next 20 years one of the country’s finest forts was built - Fort Warren, a 19th-century granite stronghold built to defend Boston. Tour around the ramparts or along the shore.

Lovells Island: A favorite camping island, 62-acre Lovells has trails that pass by dunes and woods, tidal pools, picnic areas, a swimming beach, and the remains of Fort Standish. American Indians had used the island to fish, garden and trade. European settlers used it for timber, as a fishing station, as a residence for the keepers of Boston Light, and as a rabbit run.