Our priority continues to be the health and well-being of our students and staff. We are basing programmatic decisions and protocols on CDC guidance along with the specifics of operating outdoor activities in wilderness and urban environments. These Program Protocols and course activities are subject to change. Please check this page for updates. Updated 8/22/2023

PRIOR TO COURSE START

COVID-19 Antigen Test - 24 hours Prior to Course Start 

Applicants MUST take a COVID-19 Antigen Test 24-Hours Prior to Course Start  

• Why? To reduce the likelihood of testing positive upon arrival to Outward Bound (refer to "Course Start" section below).  
• If you test positive, call us immediately and do not travel.  
• Participants who test positive will not be accepted onto course.

COVID-19 & Other Illness Symptoms 

Participants must be symptom free of COVID-19 and other significant illness such as the flu 72-hours prior to course start.  

Recent COVID-19 Diagnoses 

Participants who have tested positive for COVID-19:

• 90 days - 11 days prior to course start:
• Must be fully recovered (symptoms resolved) and test negative on an at-home rapid antigen test (confirming you are no longer infectious) to attend course.
• Please notify us of the date of the positive test – having diagnosis dates on record is vital to any on-course PCR testing we may conduct.
• If you continue to test positive on antigen tests, we are unable to accept you onto course.
• 10 days or less prior to course start: we are unable to accept you onto course.  

COVID-19 Statement of Understanding 

Participants (and parents of minor students) will review our COVID-19 Statement of Understanding. 

Course Status  

Participant status and/or course status may change at any time due to COVID-19.

Be Prepared - Determine a Backup Travel Plan 

Out of an abundance of caution, clients should consider identifying an administrator or another adult to stay nearby for the duration of the course to be responsible for any students needing to depart course due to COVID-19. 

Should any participants need to depart Outward Bound due to a positive COVID-19 test result or other illness symptoms:

• on course start day - travel plans must be adjusted that day
• during course - participant(s) must depart within 48 hours

YOUTH (Course Age Ranges 14-18): coordinate travel with a parent, family member or other trusted adult.

ADULT (Course age ranges 18+, 18-25, 30+): coordinate travel with a parent, family member or other trusted adult OR coordinate a hotel room and shuttle to the hotel, provided the participant meets the hotel’s age requirement for check-in. 

• Clarion Inn Asheville Airport (Near the Asheville Regional Airport - AVL) 
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport South (Near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - FLL) 

Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.

COURSE START

COVID-19 and Other Illness Symptoms 

• Participants will be screened upon arrival for COVID-19 and other illness symptoms. If any signs or symptoms of illness exist, participants will not be allowed to start the course. 

COVID-19 Antigen Test 

• Participants will take an antigen COVID-19 test on course start day.  
• North Carolina Outward Bound School Staff will administer this test.
• Participants who test positive will not be accepted onto course.
• For in-tact groups traveling together, NCOBS will conduct contact tracing to determine any close contacts.
• Close contacts will be accepted onto course and will be expected to adhere to Mask Wearing Protocol for Close Contacts. They will also sleep under an individual tarp instead of a group tarp.

DURING COURSE

COVID-19 Antigen Test

• North Carolina Outward Bound School Staff may administer additional COVID-19 testing during course when symptoms of communicable disease are present, or when exiting close contact or isolation protocol.  
• Should a participant test positive for COVID-19 during course, that individual will be removed from the course and placed in isolation to prevent spread.
• Participant will need to depart Outward Bound within 48 hours of positive test result.
• NCOBS will conduct contact tracing to determine any close contacts.
• Close contacts may remain on course, provided they are asymptomatic, and will be expected to adhere to Mask Wearing Protocol for Close Contacts. They will also sleep under an individual tarp instead of a group tarp.

Mask Wearing Protocol 

The North Carolina Outward Bound School remains vigilant regarding the emergence of future COVID-19 variants and may adjust masking protocol if conditions warrant. 

Masks will only be required when:

• In Outward Bound vehicles prior to the course start day COVID-19 test 
• A person has been determined to be a close contact to a COVID-19 positive case 
• A person has symptoms of a communicable disease

Mask Wearing Protocol For Close Contacts

Close contacts to COVID-19 positive cases at course start and/or during course:

• may remain on course provided they are symptom free.
• will mask anytime indoors regardless of distancing, and mask outdoors when six feet distance cannot be maintained.  
• will sleep in an individual shelter until 10 days have passed. 
• should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and take a COVID-19 test immediately if any develop.

Masks must be a medical mask (surgical style, KN95, or N95). Close contact protocol may be lifted after 10 days have passed and the close contact tests COVID negative. 

Additional Measures

• Enhanced personal hygiene will be practiced on every course.  
• Participants will learn and practice Increased cleaning and sanitization protocols. 

OUR STAFF

• All staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• All NCOBS employees will be tested for COVID-19 and cleared to work.