Frequently Asked Questions

An Application Fee of $100 must accompany each enrollment. This is a nonrefundable charge that does not apply toward tuition and is required at the time of enrollment. If enrolling on a course 60 days or more before the course begins, students are required to pay a tuition deposit of $400. For Semester, Instructor and International courses, students are required to pay a tuition deposit of $600. In addition to the application fee and tuition deposit, students are required to pay a $100 transportation fee upon enrollment.

The total payment due upon enrollment 60 days or more before course start is $500. For semester, instructor and international courses payment is $700.

The tuition covers all food, instruction, land use permits and most of the equipment, including packs, sleeping bags and technical gear. Students may need to buy some gear, such as footwear or clothing, and will be responsible for the costs of a physician's exam (if required) and travel to and from course meeting site.

In addition to the application fee and tuition, students are required to pay a $100 transporation fee upon enrollment.

Outward Bound is fun and exciting. It’s about challenging yourself to do things you never thought possible and discovering your true potential. Outward bound is about Real Challenge. Real Leadership. Real Inspiration. Real Life. You will learn things on a course that you can apply to your daily life at home, school and work.

Outward Bound courses are open to individuals, in reasonably good physical condition, who want to learn more about themselves. You must be at least 14 years old to enroll (Parent/Child courses are open for ages 12+). Overall, the male/female ratio is close to 50/50. We also design courses for corporations and schools & community groups.

Our instructors know every nook of a rock face wall, every root on a trail, and every rapid in the river. They are adventurous people who possess an undying passion for helping you develop your full potential in their favorite place- the outdoors. Many of our instructors are Outward Bound alumni and many have participated in our rigorous 45-day Outdoor Leader Course. All of them are certified as Wilderness First Responders.

Outward Bound is a very enriching summer experience. You develop or hone existing skills in leadership, goal-setting and problem-solving that will undoubtedly help you in all of your future endeavors, especially in school and the workplace. Universities and employers will appreciate seeing your Outward Bound experience on college applications and resumes. If necessary, you can always plan your course either early in the summer, or at the very end so that you can take an Outward Bound course and still have a summer job.

Outward Bound is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Being with people you do not know is all a part of the Outward Bound experience. In a small group setting, friends or spouses may become too competitive or, on the other hand, too dependent on each other. For that reason, we do not allow friends or spouses to participate together (except Parent/Child programs.) You and your friend may enroll in the same course, but you will be placed in separate crews, which allows you to enjoy the experience independently. If you feel we should make an exception in your case, contact us to see what your options are.

North Carolina Outward Bound grants nearly $200,000 in scholarships each year to make sure that our programs are available to all who wish to participate. Scholarships and loans are awarded to those with financial need on a first-come, first-served basis, and as resources allow. Click to learn more about scholarships and loans.

Your school may offer credit for your North Carolina Outward Bound course, but you must arrange this with your school before your course begins. Our Independent Study Guide is a great resource for setting up an Outward Bound independent study. Check with your advisor to see if your school will grant direct credit for your participation. If it doesn't, college students can obtain transfer credits from our list of cooperating universities. If it is required, we can provide a post-course verification to your school. Click to learn more about how to receive academic credit.

If you would like to download our Independent Study Guide, you need a copy of Adobe Reader (it's free, so download now by clicking the button.)

North Carolina Outward Bound holds a number of memberships with organizations dedicated to preserving the environment and ensuring that everyone has a chance to experience the great outdoors:

North Carolina Outward Bound also holds permits with the following land agencies:

Our courses are grouped primarily by age and interest. Most groups are co-ed, with 6-12 students. Typically, you will see our courses listed as ages 12+, 14-17, 16-17, 18+, 21+, and 30+. We also offer Women's Only, youth Girl’s Only, Educator’s Only and Parent/Child courses.

North Carolina Outward Bound is in no way similar to the "tough love" camps often publicized by the media. Outward Bound is not like boot camp, nor do we offer courses for adjudicated youth. This means that we do not accept students who have been referred to us by the criminal justice system. We screen applicants for our courses to determine behavioral or motivational problems that might interfere with the experience of other students on the course.

You cannot bring shampoo, soap, deodorant or razors out into the wilderness because it attracts bugs. Save a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo and your razors for your end-of-course clean up. A portion of your course will be dedicated to addressing hygiene in the backcountry. We'll cover everything from how to rinse off after a long day of hiking, to using the bathroom in the woods.

North Carolina Outward Bound provides nearly all of the equipment you will need on your course (ie: backpack, sleeping bag, canoe, sea kayak, climbing ropes etc.). You will need to bring some personal clothing, footwear, and a few minor supplies. When you register for your course, our Student Services Department will send you a clothing list, which will give you an idea of what you need to bring/buy.

This is not a survival exercise. The solo component of an Outward Bound course lasts anywhere from one to three days and is meant to be time for introspection and rejuvenation. Typically, you will be assigned to an individual campsite where you will spend an extended period of time resting, relaxation, rejuvenation and reflection. It's a chance to take a breather from the hard work, to reflect on what you've done so far on your course, examine your natural surroundings, write letters, draw or make notes in your journal. You'll have adequate food, water and shelter for the duration of the solo. An instructor is always nearby and will check on you from time to time.

Outward Bound courses are designed to be rigorous both physically and mentally. You don't have to be an athlete or have any prior experience to participate, but we do recommend that you begin an aerobic (running, walking, etc.) exercise program to help build your stamina before you come. You will glean much more from your time in the outdoors if you prepare you mind and body for what lies ahead.

The first priority of Outward Bound is safety. Outward Bound is also the oldest and largest adventure-education program in the world. Adventure companies throughout the world continue to emulate Outward Bound practices and seek instructors with Outward Bound training. Each year, more than 3,000 people participate in North Carolina Outward Bound wilderness programs. While events in the wilderness environment will never be fully predictable, our operating procedures and professional staff ensure that course activities are as safe as human ingenuity can make them. A National Safety Review Team routinely inspects our programs and course areas. By identifying potential hazards and developing model safety practices, Outward Bound sets the standard for wilderness safety. Our instructors participate in regular training programs to hone their wilderness skills, safety skills and judgment.

You will eat high-energy foods such as pastas, rice and oatmeal, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables in order to stay energized while you are on course. If you have special dietary needs, be sure to notify the course advisor during your enrollment process.

You can enroll at anytime, sometimes up to a week before course starts. However, if you are serious about enrolling, be sure to check course availability as soon as possible as some of our courses fill quickly. If a course is already full you may still enroll; however, you will be placed on a wait list and contacted if a spot becomes available.

Your chances of being taken off a wait list are greater if you enroll, pay the deposit that same day and return all required paper work by the date requested. If someone already enrolled on a course does not complete these tasks as requested, or cancels enrollment, a person on the wait list who has completed these requirements will be placed in their spot.

Founded in 1941, Outward Bound is the oldest, largest and most recognized wilderness leadership organization in the world. Outward Bound Professional has been delivering corporate and organizational training programs for more than 30 years and has 57 offices in 32 countries.

Yes, if the needs center on team development, improving work processes and communication skills, and leadership training. Our programs are tailored to address your organization’s specific goals and objectives.

Yes. Programs can be scheduled in virtually any location and at any time of the year. Outward Bound wilderness base camps, conference centers, office buildings or other client-specific locations can be utilized.

We focus on improving the success of your business or organization. We will perform a through pre-program assessment and work with your organization to determine specific desired outcomes. Our goal is to have a positive impact on your business that can be measured and evaluated.

Our facilitators represent a variety of professional backgrounds and are chosen based on the specific needs of our clients. The average age is 40 and all have experience in facilitation, consulting and organizational development, technical outdoor skills and human resource training.

Our goal is to help you succeed. Whether it is developing programs from the ground up or using our skills and expertise to fit into an existing program, we have extensive experience in both areas.

Our customized programs can combine both a conference room setting and outdoor environment. Our clients vary in age, gender and physical ability. A successful program requires teamwork, effective communication and commitment, not physical strength or endurance.