Your Expedition Starts Now. The moment you decide to go Outward Bound you’re tasked with responsibilities that impact not only yourself, but also your crew. This includes taking the necessary precautions to mitigate risks, including those associated with COVID-19.
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.
Depending on factors that include your course location, activity, length and age range, you may be required to be fully vaccinated prior to course start and/or tested for COVID-19. Currently for all 2022 open-enrollment courses (those listed on this website for individual enrollment), all Outward Bound Schools in the U.S. require that students submit proof of "Up-to-Date" COVID-19 Vaccination status as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For courses and expeditions that are a part of a group program, COVID-19 vaccination requirements will vary. Please contact your individual Outward Bound School for details. Each School’s policy is available on their School’s website. For more information on your specific course, please check in with an Admissions Advisor at 866-467-7651.
Regardless of vaccination status, all students must adhere to the following health practices prior to course start.
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.
Upon arriving at basecamp or your designated course start location, you may be required to take a COVID-19 test regardless of your vaccination status and be screened for symptoms.
The following field practices are designed to keep you and others healthy while on course and are to be followed until a crew can be deemed a “family unit.”
Learn about how COVID-19 is impacting our courses and more.
See how the Outward Bound community is responding to the COVID-19 crisis and inspiring bold futures through responsive programming across our system.