Our priority continues to be the health and well-being of our students and staff. We are following the guidance of the CDC in all of our programming decisions. These Program Protocols and course activities are subject to change. Please check this page for updates. Updated 7/22/2021

PRIOR TO COURSE START

COVID-19 Testing and Symptoms

Participants must receive a viral COVID-19 test within 5 days of course start. PCR lab test required. Antigen tests and over-the-counter tests not accepted. Schedule your appointment in advance to avoid delays.   

• Test results must be submitted to North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) prior to course start. 
• 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*.   

*Participants who have had a confirmed COVID-19 case within 3 months of course start date may continue to test positive after recovery. If you have had COVID-19 within 3 months of course start and are still testing positive for COVID-19, you must submit the following:

• Positive viral test result with test date between 14 days – 3 months prior to course start AND
• Physician's note confirming the participant is not considered infectious on the course start date and that the participant is released for all course activities. 

Participants are to be COVID-19 symptom-free 72-hours prior to course start. Symptoms include fever over 100.3°F, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, and fatigue. Some people may have chills, headaches, sore throat or lose their sense of smell or taste.  

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

Our on-course COVID-19 masking and distancing protocols will be enforced unless a group has a 100% vaccination rate, which includes participants and staff. To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must have received their final vaccine dose at least two weeks prior to course start date. All students must be prepared to adhere to masking and physical distancing expectations while on course.

For courses starting June 30, 2021 and later, participants who are fully vaccinated may* submit their verification card instead of obtaining the COVID-19 PCR test prior to course start.

*Exception – see COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements section below.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Vaccination is a requirement for participants on our Patagonia Backpacking and Service course and our International Leadership Semester course.  To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must have received their final vaccine dose at least two weeks prior to course start date. Participants on these courses MUST submit their verification card instead of obtaining the COVID-19 PCR test prior to course start.

Statement of Understanding 

Participants (and parents of minor students) will sign a COVID-19 Statement of Understanding. This form will be located in your Applicant Portal three weeks prior to course start.    

Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19   

Participants should follow strict physical distancing from everyone not in their household for 14 days prior to course. Please refer to CDC Guidelines on physical distancing best practices. 

Calling Course a GO  

We will make every effort to confirm the course at 30-days before course start. Participant status and/or course status may change at any time due to COVID-19.

Travel - Open Enrollment Courses 

Participants on Open Enrollment courses may travel to/from course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is strongly encouraged.

If you intend to depart by commercial transportation, you must submit a back-up departure plan should you need to depart under quarantine or isolation protocols. Plan must NOT include commercial travel.

Back-Up Departure Plan Criteria:

• If you need to depart course early, your plan must allow for departure within 48-hours. 
• Adults (18+) must either:
• Preferred - Depart from the Outward Bound program location by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person.
• Request that Outward Bound provide transportation to a hotel near the airport, provided the participant meets the hotel's age requirements for check-in.   
• Youth (12-17 years old) must depart from the Outward Bound program location by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person.

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

Travel - Group Education Programs 

Participants on Group courses (attending as an intact group) may travel to/from course by school vehicle, charter bus, or commercial transportation.

Groups planning to depart by commercial transportation must submit a back-up departure plan for group or individual travel home in the event that a participant or the group must leave course under quarantine or isolation.

• If the group or an individual needs to depart course early, a back-up plan must allow for departure within 48-hours.
• Backup plan must NOT include commercial travel.

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

COURSE START

• Participants will be screened upon arrival for COVID-19 symptoms and contact history, including taking temperature. If any signs or symptoms of illness exist, participants will not be allowed to start the course. 
• Participants will take an antigen COVID-19 test on course start day. This will involve swabbing the nasal cavity (nasal mid-turbinate swab) – a simple and pain-free procedure. North Carolina Outward Bound School Staff will administer this test.
  • On courses 9 days or longer, participants will take an additional COVID-19 test on day 6 of course. North Carolina Outward Bound School Staff will administer this test.

DURING COURSE

• Participants will wear approved personal protective equipment when requested to do so, including using face coverings whenever closer than 6 feet to another person on course.
• Enhanced personal hygiene will be practiced on every course.
• Increased cleaning and sanitization.
• Crew sizes have been reduced to support social distancing.
• Participants will have physically distanced sleeping arrangements. For courses longer than 7 days, sleeping arrangements may be adjusted after week 1, based on receipt of negative test results from day 1 testing.

OUR STAFF

• Staff will have followed strict physical distancing from everyone not in their household for 14 days prior to the course.
• All NCOBS employees will be tested for COVID-19 and cleared to work.
• Symptom checks, including taking temperatures will be conducted on a regular basis.