Research of wilderness programs indicates a clear need for additional investigation of specific program components and their influence on participant outcomes. This study examines one component of the Outward Bound wilderness program--the Final Expedition. The Final Expedition is a student-led wilderness expedition and is also referred to as an autonomous student expedition or independent group travel. The Outward Bound Final Expedition allows the student team to take over the leadership of the expedition while instructors maintain safe oversight (Outward Bound, 2010). This paper presents findings from a study conducted in 2008-09 involving participants at the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS). The purpose of the study was to understand participants' perceptions of their Final Expedition experience. NCOBS annually operates courses with various age groups, course lengths, modes of travel, and program locations. Because of the Final Expedition's standard use and its significant contribution to student learning and growth, there is a need to better understand the meaning that participants attribute to the Final Expedition. Most related research to date has yet to explore this component of the Outward Bound wilderness student experience.