OUR COURSES: RESILIENT AND READY
Updated March 2022 - Additional updates to come as the CDC, national, state and county guidelines evolve.
We are so excited to welcome students on our 2022 expeditions. Our courses may look slightly different this year, as we follow our enhanced health and safety standards. Please keep reading to see what these standards look like on course and what you can expect as you embark on your journey with Outward Bound.
CBOBS is following all applicable federal and state law and CDC guidance regarding COVID-19. Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, information on this page is subject to change and will be updated, as necessary.
Let's Get Started. 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. Below are enhanced health and safety practices we ask of every student prior to arrival and while on course.
Reach out to your Course Advisor if you have additional questions.
COURSE PROTOCOLS SUMMARY [DETAILED FAQ BELOW]
All students are heavily encouraged to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to course start. If a student tests positive on arrival the student will need to leave the course permanently. Parents/guardians are required to pick up the student within 48 hours maximum and 24 hours if possible.
For the 14-days prior to your course start date, please do the following:
- Practice proper social distancing – maintain 6ft of space between yourself and others
- Wash and sanitize your hands frequently
- Avoid crowded places and contact with people who are sick
- We encourage you to wear a mask when indoors or in crowded public spaces
- Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
*COVID-19 Testing
Testing is one layer of the safety system which ensures that students arrive at their course healthy. Open Enrollment participants, travelling from out of state, are encouraged to test prior to course start with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 test and send us results. You can take either a PCR test 72 hours prior to the first day of course, or a rapid test 24 hours prior to the first day of course.
- To find testing resources in your area, please visit your state Health Department website or use this COVID-19 Testing Sites Locator.
- If you test positive, we cannot accept you onto course.
Open Enrollment students must be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and must submit proof of status before arriving for their expedition. Up To date means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster dose when eligible.
For 5-day peer leadership expeditions with school partners, all participants are heavily encouraged to be up to date with COVID-19 Vaccinations and/or obtain an FDA-authorized COVID-19 viral test prior to the first day of course. CBOBS will work with school partners to determine the best pre-course testing and vaccination options for their group.
Participants on Open Enrollment courses may use all travel options to course start and return travel. If Outward Bound changes the transportation policy for the course that you are enrolled on, and you are unable to attend course as a result, you are eligible for a full tuition refund minus the $150 non-refundable application fee.
For the welfare of all the students and staff, please do not arrive to course start if you are feeling unwell, running a fever, or experiences any symptoms of communicable diseases including COVID-19 Symptoms. All Students will be screened upon arrival and will complete a rapid antigen test on site. If any signs or symptoms of illness exist, or the test results are positive, students will not be allowed to start the course.
Our team is committed to safety on each and every crew that goes into the field. In order to maintain our high standard of COVID-19 compliance, we will be doing the following, while also ensuring that our students have the Outward Bound experience they deserve.
- Participants will wear approved personal protective equipment when requested to do so.
- Enhanced personal hygiene will be practiced on every course.
- Increased cleaning and sanitization.
- Students will sleep under tarps or in tents. In either case, students will be appropriately distanced when sleeping to prevent the possible spread of illness.
See additional details in the FAQ below.
Our staff has worked rigorously to develop field safety practices that keep everyone (including themselves safe while on course). Any CBOBS Staff member who works with students will be fully vaccinated** and test for COVID-19 at least once every 7 days and/or at least 48 hours (about 2 days) prior to in-person interaction.
** Effective May 1, 2022, all staff will be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations unless medically or religiously exemption.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
- Test 1 – On the first day, after arriving at base or the airport, all students and staff will complete an OTC Antigen Rapid Test, which has results in 15 min.
- Test 2 – the second OTC Antigen Rapid Test is performed in the field on day 5 or after returning to base.
- If the course is longer than 5 days – can discontinue masks/physical distancing after everyone is confirmed as covid negative.
- Handwashing and hand sanitizing
- Sanitizing gear
- Sanitary food preparation and dish sanitizing
- Not touching one’s face with unwashed hands
- Covering sneezes and coughs in the crook of an arm or, if available, a disposable tissue
- Not sharing personal utensils or personal care products
- 14 days of strict physical distancing guidelines, as described by the CDC, prior to the course
- Get a COVID-19 test and submit a negative result within 3 days prior to the first day of course (within 24 hours if submitting a rapid antigen test)
- Follow travel exposure precautions as described by the CDC
- From baggage claim, proceed upstairs to the departures level.
- Leave the terminal through Door #1 (labeled) across from the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter
- Cross the crosswalk and turn left towards the Southwest Drop-off area. (This is the first drop-of area that incoming vehicles encounter.) Outward Bound staff will meet you here at 10:30 AM.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
Our instructors have tested all of our safety measures in the field on themselves in real-world scenarios in the very course areas your program will take place. We've made sure that all of our student expectations are functional, manageable and do not detract from the quality of your Outward Bound course. Here is what it looks like to take a course with our crew during COVID-19.