The information below explains how to make and submit your travel arrangements for Outward Bound.
ONLY MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER:
- You have been cleared to participate AND
- You are notified that your course has been confirmed as “GO.” In order for a course to be confirmed as “GO,” we must achieve a minimum number of firm enrollments. Firm = applicants who are fully paid and cleared to participate.
We typically need 6 firm enrollments in order to confirm the course as “GO.” If you purchase airline tickets before notified to do so, make sure you either purchase refundable/transferable tickets OR purchase trip insurance covering the cost of airfare in the event your course is canceled or if you are not cleared to participate. North Carolina Outward Bound is not responsible for refunding the cost of airline tickets, clothing and gear, etc.
TRAVEL DELAYS
If you are delayed while traveling, call us immediately at 800-878-5258. We work diligently to accommodate unforeseen travel delays. However, in certain cases of extreme delays, it may not be possible for you to join the course.
CELL PHONES
Traveling to and from course with a cell phone and charger is encouraged. Upon arrival and check in with our staff at the airport, we will remind participants to call their families immediately, as cell phones are not permitted once the course has officially begun. At that point, all cell phones will be turned off and stored in personal luggage until course end.
BE PREPARED
Be dressed in items from the clothing list, make all necessary calls and have eaten prior to departure from the airport.
Review current government regulations regarding carry-on items at www.tsa.gov. Many airlines charge for each checked bag. Check your airline’s baggage policy and pay any fees for you or your child’s inbound and outbound flights.
***Please arrive to the airport having eaten lunch. For students arriving on flights, please review your vendor options before meeting Outward Bound.***
All participants are required to follow our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
These are our only pick-up locations/times. We are unable to accommodate pick ups outside of the info outlined below.
ARRIVING BY PLANE
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
- Airline Arrival 2:00 PM: Book your inbound flight to arrive no later than 2:00 PM on the first day of the course. Do not book arrival after 2:00 PM as we are unable to accommodate arrivals after this time. Itineraries booked outside of these times will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.
**Based on limited non-stop flight availability to/from AVL and our arrival criteria above, please expect your itinerary to include a connecting flight.**
ARRIVING BY VEHICLE
Riveter - https://www.riveternc.com/
701 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732
- Vehicle Arrival 1:00 PM: If you are arriving by car, arrive no later than 1:00 PM on the first day of the course. Please look for tents on the lawn in front of the building.
**Please be prepared to stay at this location until we have completed our Day 1 COVID-19 rapid test. If you need long term parking for your vehicle while you are on course, our staff will direct you to park at the Asheville Regional Airport long term parking and pick you up in our vehicle before we head to the wilderness.**
ARRIVING BY VEHICLE
An Outward Bound representative will meet arrivals at the Riveter. Please look for the tents set up on the front lawn in front of the building.
Remember: masks are required when indoors.
Staff will be wearing an Outward Bound shirt or hat and/or carrying an Outward Bound sign. They will have a list of all student names and will note your arrival.
Our supervision officially begins when students depart by NCOBS vehicle or charter transportation.
If you need long term parking for your vehicle while you are on course, our staff will direct you to park at the Asheville Regional Airport long term parking and pick you up in our vehicle before we head to the wilderness.
ARRIVING BY PLANE
An Outward Bound representative will meet ALL arrivals in the main seating area in front of the security checkpoint; labeled as the “Grand Hall” on the map below.
Remember: masks are required when indoors.
Staff will be wearing an Outward Bound shirt or hat and/or carrying an Outward Bound sign. They will have a list of all student names and will note your arrival.
Our supervision officially begins when students depart the airport by NCOBS vehicle or charter transportation.
.
Asheville Regional Airport main seating area in the Grand Hall – Outward Bound check-in location
YOUR COURSE WILL END AT THIS LOCATION WHETHER YOU ARE DEPARTING BY PLANE OR CAR.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
- Airline Departure 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Book your child’s departure between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM on the last day of the course. Itineraries booked outside of these times will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.
- Vehicle Departure 11:45 AM: All students departing by vehicles will be outside of door “0” (zero). Numbers are noted above the doors and door “0” is located towards the middle of the building. Students will be supervised by an Outward Bound representative wearing an Outward Bound shirt or hat with an Outward Bound logo. Our representative will require a signature from you when you pick up your child.
***Based on limited non-stop flight availability to/from AVL and our arrival criteria above, please expect your itinerary to include a connecting flight.***
This is our only drop-off location.
COVID-19 BACK-UP DEPARTURE PLAN
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. Reference SUBMITTING YOUR TRAVEL PLANS section below.
Airlines define an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) as a child flying without a parent, guardian or another trusted adult. Your airline may designate your child as an Unaccompanied Minor. The airline’s Unaccompanied Minor policy may NOT be clear to you if you purchase your child’s ticket through an online travel site. If applicable, confirm the airline you choose allows Unaccompanied Minors to board connecting flights.
Plan carefully to avoid your child being stranded at a connecting airport!
Airlines are extremely strict about payment of the UM fee. The North Carolina Outward Bound School is neither responsible for paying the UM fees nor determining which individuals are required to pay the fee. Airline representatives have refused to board UMs whose families have not paid the required UM fees, causing students to miss their departing flights.
Before you book your child’s airline ticket:
Review the UM policies for each airline before choosing an itinerary – each airline has their own policy and age requirements:
Allegiant Airlines / American Airlines / Delta Airlines / United Airlines
- Prepay all UM fees. Online travel sites may not inform you of the airline’s UM policy or fees. Contact the airline directly and prepay all UM fees. (Be firm and insist if the need arises.)
- Give your airline the name and contact information of your Student Services Representative (refer to your Registration Email) as the person who will meet and sign for your child on course start day.
- Do not book your child on a flight departing 6:00 PM or later. Many airports will not allow UMs to board flights after 6:00 PM.
- Submit receipt for payment of the UM FEES (arrival & departure) to your Student Services Representative.
Travel & Backup Travel Plan
At least two weeks prior to course start, we will email a request for travel arrangements. Please reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
Participants on Open Enrollment courses may travel to/from course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is strongly encouraged.
To reduce the likelihood of participants testing positive upon arrival to Outward Bound, we highly encourage participants to take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test 24-hours or less prior to traveling to Outward Bound. Participants who test positive should not travel and will not be accepted onto course.
Participants will take an NCOBS-administered rapid antigen COVID-19 test on course start day upon arrival. Participants testing positive, as well as any close contacts, will not be accepted on course.
If you intend to travel by commercial transportation, you must submit a back-up travel plan should you need to travel home under quarantine or isolation protocols. Plan must NOT include commercial travel.
Back-Up Travel Plan Options
YOUTH (Course Age Ranges 14-18) must depart from the airport at course start or from the Outward Bound program location during course by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person. Once course is in progress, if you must depart course early due to COVID-19, your plan must allow for departure within 48 hours.
ADULT (Course age ranges 18+, 18-25, 30+) must either:
- Preferred -Arrange your own transportation home such as your personal vehicle, car rental, or by providing name and contact information of pick-up person
OR
- Outward Bound will provide transportation to a hotel near the airport, provided the participant meets the hotel’s age requirement for check-in.
Hotels include:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport South (Near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - FLL)
- Clarion Inn Asheville Airport (Near the Asheville Regional Airport - AVL)
Once course is in progress, if you must depart course early due to COVID-19, your plan must allow for departure within 48 hours.
Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.
Consider third party trip insurance to protect your financial investment of course tuition, airfare and/or emergency evacuation. Trip insurance options are widely available.
North Carolina Outward Bound School does not represent or endorse any third-party trip insurance options.
HOTELS NEAR THE ASHEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT
Prior to booking, confirm any minimum age requirements and availability of shuttle service to/from the airport (if applicable).
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