Outward Bound Courses are extended wilderness expeditions and even the shortest courses place students in remote wilderness settings. Expeditions require planning and preparation both ours and yours.
With 45 years of experience bringing hundreds of thousands of students with us on wilderness expeditions we have developed a thorough Application Process and Individual Applicant Review Process. We are dedicated to the success of each and every student.
Submitting your Application Packet
Once you formally apply, pay the application fee, and the appropriate down payment, we will send you an email with links to Application Instructions, all the Course Information, your Application Packet and any assigned Supplemental Questionnaires.
It will also have the contact Information for your Course Advisor and the due date assigned to your Application. Regardless of the course start date, Your Application will be due two weeks from the Application (or in as little as 24 hours if you are applying for a course that starts in less than 30 days).
We require the prompt return of your Application Packet. Your Application Packet will be due two weeks after applying (or sooner if you apply less than 30 days from the course start). Due to the large number of Applicants interested in attending, if you do not submit your complete Application Packet on time, your Application may be deemed INACTIVE. This means your spot will be made available to other Applicants.
The Outward Bound Application Packet contains
Application Instructions
Course Information: A Detailed Course Description Packet, Getting in Shape — Body & Mind, Travel Information, Clothing List, Boot Information
Outward Bound Application Forms
Policies, Acknowledgments & Liability Release Packet:
Supplemental Questionnaires (if assigned)
Some Applicants will be required to get a physicians exam. Some Applicants will need to provide us access to their counselor, psychiatrist or other third party. Certain medication or conditions require information to be provided by a physician.
Individual Applicant Review Process
The Individual Applicant Review Process is our thorough review of your Application Packet and at least one phone conversation with each student. We may also require additional phone calls with parents, counselors or other third parties.
The Individual Application Review Process is designed to assess medical or behavioral histories that, on an extended wilderness expedition, could pose a threat to your safety or the safety of others. We review ALL applicants. We occasionally work with some families and individuals to place them on the right course if the course they selected is not the best fit. We deny about 6% of our Applicants.
Once we receive your complete Application Packet, depending on your medical and behavioral history and your course start date, we will complete your review in 1-3 weeks.
