We are pleased you have begun the process that will lead you Outward Bound.
Our veterans courses are designed to help ease the often difficult transition home by drawing on the healing benefit of the wilderness, teamwork, and challenge.
This is a back country wilderness expedition, not a vacation or a retreat. You will be camping outside under tarps or in tents and will not have access to showers or bathrooms. We operate in all types of weather conditions. You will have the opportunity to discuss your service experience in a supportive, non-confrontational setting surrounded by fellow veterans while experiencing the beauty of the country you have served.
Our courses are suited for those in good physical condition and are opportunities for veterans to:
This course web page contains all the information needed to prepare for your wilderness adventure. Please bookmark for future reference.
BACKPACKING
Specifics: During your course, you will be backpacking up to three days.
During your course, you will be spending the majority of your time backpacking. During this component, you learn safety precautions for backcountry foot travel, how to find campsites, how to navigate terrain as well as how to use a map and compass. Equally important will be time spent learning conflict resolution, communication styles, leadership and team building. After practicing these skills, your instructors will step back and let you and your crew work together to collectively navigate through the wilderness.
Since your crew’s navigation depends on individual and group decision making, your crew could make some navigational errors along the way. You will be carrying a backpack that may weigh 50+ pounds. The weight is manageable, as the packs (when fitted correctly) will rest on your hips not on your back or shoulders. You may end up hiking long hours to reach your destination. You may expedition three miles uphill one day and eight miles over varied terrain the next day. Therefore, we want to remind you that physical preparation is very important!
ROCK CLIMBING
Specifics: Weather permitting, and due to the course length, you may spend a day either rock climbing, rappelling or on our high ropes course.
With a focus on the practice of safety, your lessons will start with the basics, such as working with ropes and learning to tie knots used for climbing and rappelling.
ROCK CLIMBING
Specifics: Weather permitting, you may spend up to two days rock climbing and rappelling.
With a focus on the practice of safety, your lessons will start with the basics, such as working with ropes and learning to tie knots used for climbing and rappelling. You will progress to:
HIGH IMPACT ACTIVITY
Specifics: Weather permitting, you may spend one day experiencing a high impact activity. Such an activity may involve a high ropes challenge course, Tyrolean Traverse, or rappel.
SOLO - SELF REFLECTION
Solo typically occurs more than halfway through your course and may last up to 24 hours. Your instructors will assign each participant an individual campsite within a designated area. Your instructors will teach you procedures to follow during solo and monitor you during this experience. You will know the location of your instructors’ campsite should you need to contact them; otherwise it is essential that you remain in your designated area. If your course has an overnight solo you will have your clothing, food and water. In addition, you will have Outward Bound issued gear: including rain gear, shelter, sleeping bag, compass and whistle. You will not be physically active during solo, as solo is a time for rest, recharge and reflection. Solo is also a good time to write in the journals we provide. If you have questions or concerns, please discuss with your Student Services Representative or your instructors.
FINAL CHALLENGE EVENT
At the end of your course, you will participate in a personal challenge event. This is a great time to see how much your physical fitness and endurance have improved since you began your course. This event will be a running activity. It is not a race. Your instructors set a certain route for your crew and you complete the route at a level that will challenge you the most.
DAY 1: Course start, duffle shuffle, camp craft, backpacking expedition
DAY 2-3: Backpacking expedition, navigation and risk management skills
DAY 4: Rock climbing and or ropes course, belaying and rappelling; Solo
DAY 5: Backpacking expedition
DAY 6: Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, Breakfast Banquet, graduation ceremony. Course end.
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, NC
Because the Appalachians were once one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they have many different geologic landforms, climates and soils. This long evolutionary history and temperate climate create an area which is teeming with life. Participants can expect to share the wilderness with over 700 different kinds of trees, more than 50 types of mammals, 150 different types of birds and about 40 species of amphibians.
This course area is situated within a million acres of national forests, federally-protected wilderness areas, and other public lands. Its diverse landscapes have been featured in many motion pictures, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. <Click to learn more about this course area.>
Each crew will be given large tarps to set up as shelters. You will also be given a ground sheet and a foam sleeping pad to place under your sleeping bag.
Here are some books that we encourage you to read as you plan for your course:
The history of Outward Bound serving veterans dates to 1971 and the “Spartan Pathfinder” program run by the John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance. The purpose of the program was to use Outward Bound techniques to reorient soldiers with drug and disciplinary problems and “promote self-confidence and self-awareness through controlled stress in a wilderness environment.” From 1975 - 1981, the Dart-mouth Outward Bound Center and the Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School began serving veterans working through Post Traumatic Stress and other mental health diagnoses.
In 1981 Dartmouth Outward Bound Center merged with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and by 1983 Outward Bound for Veterans was born.
Since 2006 Outward Bound has served close to 10,000 Veterans and Active Duty service members. While the majority of the participants are veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq, we welcome veterans from any era to attend one of our courses.
The founder of the Vietnam veterans program and a guiding hand through many iterations of Outward Bound for Veterans was Army Colonel Bob Rheault. Colonel Rheault commanded both the 1st and 5th Special Forces Groups. He became an Outward Bound instructor after he left the Army, “because it was the closest thing to Special Forces that he could find.” For 32 years Colonel Rheault served as an Instructor, Program Director and President of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, retiring in 2001. Colonel Rheault passed away in 2013.
There are two kinds of strength necessary to complete your course; physical and mental. Your body needs to be strong, but you must also come with an open mind, willing spirit and a cooperative attitude. Whether you paddle a canoe or kayak for six or eight hours, expedition with a 50+ pound pack through a steep mountain range or scale a rock wall, you will be pushed and rewarded on many levels.
Note to caffeine drinkers: If you drink coffee or caffeinated teas you will have access to these items on course. However, they will not be available in the amounts that you may be used to. You may want to cut back a bit before course because you will not be able drink these beverages on your regular schedule.
Note to tobacco/nicotine users: Please review the information in the Nicotine & Tobacco Policy tab below.
Consider and be prepared for:
Teamwork: Be ready to be part of a team. Think about other team experiences you may have had in the past. Remember what helped your team be successful. Plan on being a positive contributor during your course.
Living with Less: Look around and think about what you have and what you truly need. Things we may take for granted like hot running water, upholstered furniture and sidewalks will not be part of your experience. When you get into the routines of wilderness living, you may notice that life in the wilderness and life at home are similar in that they are ultimately about food, clothing, shelter and the relationships you have with those around you. Because the wilderness lifestyle is simple, you will leave behind non-essentials like deodorant, make up, electronic devices and books.
Being Away from Home: Whether it is the first or the 20th time you have been away from home, you might not have been this “out of touch.” Don’t be surprised if you feel homesick at some point. Please use your instructors and teammates as resources for support.
Compassion: Compassion is a pillar on which Outward Bound was built. Compassion can be shown in kind, thoughtful actions and can be practiced during course through active listening and understanding of other perspectives. You may find that you need to make compromises as you support your team. It is always important to remember that your attitude and actions affect everyone.
Group Discussion: Your instructors will lead group discussions as you debrief each day. Through coaching from your instructors, your group will practice positive communication and conflict resolution techniques. These skills help your group maintain respect for individual opinions no matter how they may differ. Hopefully, these lessons will extend to your everyday life. Be prepared to share your perspective and gain insight from others during these discussions.
Have fun and enjoy the adventure of preparation while training for your course! This is an excellent opportunity for you to get outside, get fit and explore your neighborhood's parks and recreation areas.
Adopt Healthy Habits: A great way to physically prepare is to adopt healthy habits. Reduce consumption of fatty foods, excessive alcohol and caffeine as these substances require a lot of water and oxygen to metabolize. Eat plenty of unrefined carbohydrates (i.e. whole grains). Drink water regularly instead of juice or soda. If you drink or use tobacco or tobacco products, it is essential to quit before you arrive. And last, but not least, arrive at course start well rested.
FITNESS AND TRAINING
• You do NOT have to be an athlete or highly-trained to attend an Outward Bound course.
• You DO have to be physically capable and active. Our courses are demanding. You will use your muscles in new and challenging ways.
• It takes strength and fitness to paddle a boat for six or eight hours a day, carry a 50+ pound pack for 5 miles or climb a rock wall. If you aren’t already involved in a fitness program, now is the time to start. Your efforts will pay off in enjoyment, comfort and fun.
> View our suggestions for building fitness, testing your heart rate and an eight week fitness plan.
Hike with a weighted backpack. Start with 20-30 lbs., then build to 50+ lbs. If you do not own a backpack, you may be able to borrow one from a friend, family member or rent one from an outdoor sporting goods store. If none of these options are available, try a smaller "book bag" style backpack with approximately 15 lbs. in it. Start out hiking just a couple of miles on hilly terrain or stairs and increase your intensity and mileage as you gain strength and endurance. On course, you can expect to carry a backpack that weighs approximately 40 to 55 lbs. and you may be hiking varying distances across mountain terrain daily.
Climbing indoors at your local rock climbing gym is the best way to prepare for climbing outdoors. If climbing at a gym is not available, substitute pull-ups, sit-ups and strength training with weights. On course, you will practice knots, climbing and belay techniques as well as safety procedures.
Under your instructors' supervision, you and your crew will prepare group meals in a camp setting using gas camp stoves. Meals are eaten as a group and may start off with group announcements, appreciations, or an inspirational quote. We use this time together to reflect on the successes and challenges of the day and to plan what is to come for the following day.
Your group will travel with approximately a week’s worth of food at a time. For courses 14-days and longer, our support staff meet up with your group in the wilderness periodically to restock your food. This meet up is called a “re-supply.”
Our courses are physically rigorous, and our meals emphasize protein and carbohydrates to re-fuel your body. All course food is packable and non-perishable. We use a mix of dehydrated foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Our goal is to provide meals that are familiar. However, we ask that you be open to trying foods that may be new to you.
Participants should not bring their own food or snacks unless authorized to do so by NCOBS.
All meals at Outward Bound are cooked outdoors in remote camp settings. We work diligently to provide familiar and tasty foods, and we acknowledge that our food options are limited while we are on expedition, away from our supply facilities.
We depend on clear and accurate food allergy and dietary restrictions disclosed during the admission process to adequately plan and pack your group’s meals and snacks prior to course start. Our processes are not designed to accommodate last minute dietary requests or to loosen dietary restrictions originally disclosed.
The following list represents common meals at Outward Bound (this is not a menu)
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks (other than water)
Snacks
If you disclose a dietary restriction like lactose free, dairy free, gluten free, etc., we will plan for you to maintain that diet restriction during course unless you specify otherwise. Therefore, please only include dietary restrictions you are committed to maintaining during course to minimize potential food waste.
We urge caregivers of youth applicants to discuss dietary restrictions prior to completing the application materials, to confirm alignment on the information provided to us.
Our primary goal is to meet students’ dietary allergies or intolerance/ sensitivities. The addition of food preferences could further influence the menu items we can provide.
Our staff members, who have had years of experience in the field, find that once students with food preferences engage in our rigorous backcountry, wilderness-based activities, those same students tend to (at least temporarily) broaden their food choices. We believe students may find these foods surprisingly appealing during their course due to their bodies’ increased need for calories.
NCOBS cannot guarantee there will be no exposure to known allergens. If the applicant has had an anaphylactic response related to a dietary allergen, we must consider our remote wilderness area as we determine the appropriateness of our programs for the applicant.
Depending on the severity of the allergy, NCOBS can accommodate by:
A dietary intolerance or sensitivity can also typically be accommodated on course. If you can tolerate the food item in limited amounts, please disclose these details in your application materials so that we may strive to broaden the range of foods we provide.
North Carolina Outward Bound strives to accommodate religious dietary requirements. Please disclose your requirements in your application materials and call your Student Services Representative if you have questions.
We urge caregivers of youth applicants to discuss dietary restrictions prior to completing the application materials, to confirm alignment on the information provided to us.
Depending on the food aversions, NCOBS can accommodate by:
We encourage applicants who indicate highly restricted diets to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria and note this requirement specific to nutrition and hydration:
Learn and perform essential self-care....maintaining adequate hydration, nutrition... and managing any known medical conditions for the duration of course, often more than a day from advanced medical care.
Please call your Student Services Representative if you have concerns about the applicant’s ability to meet our Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Outward Bound requires daily physical activity that often exceeds an applicant’s level of physical activity in everyday life.
We urge caregivers of youth applicants to discuss eating habits prior to completing the application materials, to confirm alignment on the information provided to us.
Over the years, we have observed students with picky eating habits are most successful on course when they are willing and able to broaden (at least temporarily) their food choices due to their bodies’ increased need for calories. Please review our Essential Eligibility Criteria and note this requirement specific to nutrition and hydration:
Learn and perform essential self-care, including dressing appropriately for protection from environmental conditions (such as sun, rain, cold, etc.), maintaining adequate hydration, nutrition, and personal hygiene, and managing any known medical conditions for the duration of course, often more than a day from advanced medical care.
Please call your Student Services Representative if you have concerns about the applicant’s ability to meet our Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Our wilderness courses are physically rigorous, and we recommend you prepare by increasing your cardiovascular fitness and quitting nicotine and tobacco products well before course start. We maintain a Zero-Tolerance Nicotine and Tobacco Policy on most courses.
However, to increase the accessibility of our Veteran, Educator and Professional programs, we follow an amended Nicotine and Tobacco Policy:
Use of tobacco (cigarettes/dip) or nicotine (gum, pouches, vape pens) is permitted in the following circumstances:
Participants must get permission for use from their Instructors before each instance (to confirm it is an appropriate time and place) and Instructors will set a time limit to complete use and return to the group.
For nicotine vape pens – cartridges must be unopened, in original packaging and have approval from Instructors to be brought on course.
Nicotine patches are permitted on course for those who are already using patches as part of their tobacco cessation treatment.
Maintaining personal hygiene in the wilderness is important and is taught on every course. You will be outside while on course and won't have access to a shower or bath. You will be able to do basic cleanup every day: brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair. At the end of your course, you will be able to do a more thorough cleanup.
Since North Carolina Outward Bound is an outdoor program, you can expect to learn and use Leave No Trace camping techniques. Know that it is natural to have questions regarding sanitation in an outdoor setting. Your instructors will answer your questions and will teach you the hygienic and environmentally safe way to dispose of waste as well as techniques for basic cleanliness - don't hesitate to approach them with any questions or concerns
In our everyday lives, technology is always at our fingertips. By contrast, in the life of an Outward Bound participant, you have the unique opportunity to unplug and fully immerse yourself in the wilderness to connect with your crewmates and instructors.
Guidelines
NO:
YES:
Safety and Risk Management
Please review our Safety and Risk Management page.
SPECIFICS
Mail delivery is not available on 4-9 day courses.
At all levels of our school, we demonstrate our dedication to participant safety by our words, actions and values. Outward Bound has been a national leader in wilderness safety for over 50 years and frequently advises and assists other organizations in outdoor adventure risk management. Living and traveling in a remote wilderness setting exposes you to risks different than those you may encounter in your daily life. We believe that accepting appropriate risks and training and preparing participants to manage those risks, provides invaluable life experience. Regardless of precautionary measures, risk and uncertainty are central to the concept of challenge and adventure. The intent is not to avoid activities involving risk but to recognize, prepare for and successfully manage risk. In order to identify any potential hazards and update best practices, our programs are regularly reviewed by outdoor professionals from inside and outside the Outward Bound system.
Outward Bound instructors receive regular training in the activities and environments in which we deliver our courses. They are trained to anticipate and manage risks inherent in remote areas. They are also trained in first aid, search and rescue and emergency management. Our instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders; some are Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians or equivalent. Outward Bound maintains a minimum staff-to-student ratio of approximately 1:6. Instructors work in teams of two or three with six to 12 students. Instructor teams are usually co-ed but balancing skills and teaching styles is our primary staffing focus. One instructor in every team is a lead instructor with multiple seasons of training and experience. The lead instructor has single point accountability for the safety and effectiveness of the course in the field as well as mentoring their staffing team. For more information on our instructors, please check out our staff profiles page or our careers page for instructor requirements.
As a participant, you must take responsibility for yourself by following instructions and practicing the skills taught by your instructors.
Please also review our Safety and Risk Management page.
If a family emergency occurs while the course is in progress, emergency messages can be relayed by calling our toll-free number (800-878-5258) on weekdays 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM eastern time. Prior to course start, you will receive an email that provides an after-hours and weekend emergency phone number.
North Carolina Outward Bound School provides:
We also provide activity-specific items based on your course type:
Please refer to the Packing List below for the items to bring to course.
First, shop your closet or those of your family or friends - you might have many of these items already. Then start planning what you may need to buy, leaving yourself time to find sales or free shipping.
Many students shop for clothing and gear from the following retailers:
Plan ahead! When you arrive for course start, you will not have an opportunity to purchase forgotten items!
Please review the video How to Pack for Course Without Breaking the Bank below.
When packing, use a duffel bag or soft-sided luggage (if available) due to limited storage space at our facility.
When you arrive, your instructors will facilitate a process we call “duffel shuffle” that includes:
Please bring your prescription eyewear to course and any applicable backup options. For glasses a retaining band is necessary to prevent loss during an activity.
For participants who wear contact lenses, you must bring your prescription glasses as back up. Be sure to bring enough contact lens solution so you can be diligent in your contact lens routine while out on course.
Please be aware that the use of contact lenses in the backcountry does carry more risk than when at home. A great level of diligence and hygiene is required in ensuring you do not damage your eyes.
You will be outside during your course. To maintain your health and comfort, the best protection from biting insects, skin irritation and sunburn is a physical barrier of clothing. Bring the required clothing and gear listed – it's essential to your comfort and safety.
It is your responsibility to follow your instructor’s directions and monitor how your skin reacts to the changing environment. Let them know if you encounter skin concerns before they present a barrier to your participation.
If you are traveling by air to your course, please review the TSA Carry-on Requirements for liquids.
Here are a few tips caring for long, kinky, or curly hair while on course:
Before course, consider putting your hair in a protective style, allowing enough time for your head to adjust prior to the start of your Outward Bound course. Be sure that your protective style will fit underneath a helmet. Suggested protective styles include:
Increased physical activity during Outward Bound may cause a change in your menstrual cycle. Prepare your menstruation kit using a zip lock bag even if you don’t expect your cycle during course.
Items to include:
We practice Leave No Trace camping techniques. Therefore, we pack out what we pack in. Instructors will distribute small opaque zip lock bags and small stuff sack for your individual storage of used items.You will dispose of any used items either during re-supplies (approximately every three to seven days) or at course end.
Your instructors are experienced in addressing menstruation care questions or concerns while on course. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions.
Participants will not be permitted to begin their course without their required medications OR with new medications not approved by our Medical Screener.
All medications (prescription, non-prescription and over-the-counter) must:
Your medication container should not include other medications, vitamins or supplements. If possible, bring a double supply.
Do not bring non-prescription medications such as aspirin, Advil, etc., unless they are listed in your medical information. We have a medical kit that contains these medications.
Medication updates that occur after applicants are cleared to participate could affect their status on course. Please update the Student Services Department with any medication changes such as:
For participants on youth courses, our instructors carry all prescription medications, with the exception of birth control and emergency medications such as EpiPens or rescue asthma inhalers.
For participants on adult (age 18+) courses, we encourage participants to store their medication(s) container(s) in a zip-lock bag for protection. Pill sorters are not recommended.
You have received an email with a link to your individual Applicant Portal from Matthew Rosky, Veterans Program Manager. Your Applicant Portal will direct you to click several links to complete required on-line and PDF forms including an on-line Medical Record, Participant Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks and Liability Release and Indemnity Agreement, and other required forms for Outward Bound.
All applicants must adhere to the due dates listed in their Applicant Portal for return of required forms. If due dates are not met, you risk losing your position on course.
If you need this email re-sent, please email Matthew Rosky, Veterans Program Manager at [email protected] with the subject line Resend Applicant Portal. Please also include in the body of your email your name and course number.
If you have any questions about the forms or the course information, please contact Matthew Rosky, Veterans Program Manager on 8238-239-2117 or at [email protected].
YOUR COURSE WILL BEGIN AT THIS LOCATION WHETHER YOU ARE ARRIVING BY PLANE OR CAR.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
Vehicle Arrival/Departure – Interstate Travel Delays and AVL Airport Parking
The Asheville Regional Airport facilities and primary local interstate, I-26, are both under construction. I-26 E & W is regularly backed up due to commuter congestion and this ongoing construction.
Additionally, parking at the Asheville Regional Airport may be limited, especially during peak travel times. Please include additional travel time to allow for predictable delays. Use the links below to plan ahead.
TRAVEL DELAYS
If you are delayed while traveling, contact us:
Weekdays 8:30am – 5:00 pm EST
After Hours & Weekends
We work diligently to accommodate unforeseen travel delays. However, in certain cases of extreme delay, it may not be possible for you to join the course.
Please reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
Should you need to depart Outward Bound due to illness:
Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.
If you are traveling by air, be aware of TSA guidelines. To avoid TSA taking items out of your carry-on luggage (like insect repellent and sunscreen), pack these items in your checked luggage or do not exceed size specifications. For more information please visit the TSA website: Transportation Security Administration - Carry-ons
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