COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY PRACTICES

Outward Bound is actively monitoring COVID-19 throughout our program areas, and the guidance issued from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities. The wellbeing, health and safety of our students and staff is a top priority, and Outward Bound Schools are working diligently with local public health authorities and medical advisors to maintain recommended mitigation controls and procedures in alignment with current data and science. The risk of contracting COVID-19 prior to or while participating in an Outward Bound program can be reduced but not eliminated. As with all aspects of your Outward Bound course, our staff will teach you what you need to know to be active in mitigating risks.

Below are enhanced health and safety practices we ask of every student prior to arrival and while on course.

Vaccination Requirements

Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please call us at 866-467-7651.

Prior to Your Course Start

Regardless of vaccination status, all students should adhere to the following precautions prior to course start.

• Students must notify their course advisor of any underlying health conditions that could put them at increased risk from contracting a communicable disease, and check in with their physician about any additional risks.
• Students (and parents of minor students) will sign a COVID-19 Statement of Understanding. 
• Students will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test that was administered three days prior to arrival at our basecamps. (It is okay if test results are not available until after course start.)
• Students are strongly encouraged to follow strict physical distancing from everyone not in their household for 14 days prior to course start.

Health Reminder

Do not travel to course if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, if you have been or presumed to have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or if you have tested positive for COVID-19. In these cases, please contact your Course Advisor immediately to work through your options.

During Course

The following field practices are designed to keep you and others healthy while on course.

• Students must arrive at the course start neither experiencing nor presenting any signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• Students will be screened upon arrival, including taking temperature. If any signs or symptoms of illness exist, participants will not be allowed to start the course.
• Students will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. Students who test positive will have to leave course and tuition will not be refunded. We strongly recommend purchasing third-party travel insurance to protect yourself from this possibility.
• All Crews will be practicing enhanced hygiene practices, including: possible distanced or individual sleeping arrangements, frequent hand washing or sanitizing, coughing and sneezing away from others, not sharing personal equipment like water bottles, and taking additional precautions when preparing and serving food

*Expeditions that are long enough for a group that has been away from other people, has tested negative for COVID-19 after an incubation period and has experienced no symptoms of COVID-19 may become a “family unit." This relaxes some of the field practices and allows students to interact more “normally” in their group. They will resume physical distancing and mask wearing when in public spaces or around others outside the group. 

Notice updated 11/29/2022