The tuition and travel expense for your North Carolina Outward Bound Veterans course is fully funded by several generous donors. After you are cleared to participate and the course is confirmed a “go” we will contact you to finalize your travel plans. Travel plans are typically confirmed 30-45 days before the course starts.
You have the option of either flying or driving to/from course:
Airline Travel
NCOBS will purchase you a round-trip plane ticket to/from the airport course start/end location.
You are responsible for your own baggage fees.
If you are traveling from west of the Mississippi River, we may arrange for you to travel the day before course starts so that you arrive on time. Please plan for this when making arrangements to be away from work, school or home. Scholarship funds will cover the cost of a hotel room if we need to fly you in a day early. You will be responsible for arranging shuttle transportation from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel back to the airport the following day to meet Outward Bound.
After we purchase your airline ticket, if you cancel from the course or do not show up for the flight, you are responsible* for paying the cost of the ticket and the $250 Cancellation Penalty.
EXCEPTION*: If you cannot attend course due to receiving deployment orders that conflict with the course dates, we will not hold you responsible for cost of the plane ticket or the Cancellation Penalty, provided you supply us with documentation of your orders.
Vehicle Travel
You can choose to drive to/from course. You will need to park in long-term parking at the airport. If you choose to drive to course, NCOBS will reimburse you for gas and airport parking fees. You must mail, e-mail or fax a copy of your receipts within 7-days of the course end.
EXPULSION OR EARLY DEPARTURE
If you are expelled or choose to leave your course voluntarily you are responsible for paying any change fees or increase in air fare required for you to return home.
All participants are required to follow our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
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
- Airline Arrival 2:00 PM
- Vehicle Arrival 1:00 PM
Travel & Backup Travel Plan
About a month before course start, we will request your travel preferences as well as your Backup Travel Plan, should you travel to Outward Bound using commercial travel.
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
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.
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
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
- Airline Departure 1:00 PM
- Vehicle Departure 11:45 AM
Be Prepared - Determine a Backup Travel Plan
Please reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
We recommend testing for COVID-19 within 24-hours of travel to course to avoid traveling or arriving to course when ill.
Should you need to depart Outward Bound due to illness:
- on course start day - travel plans must be adjusted that day
- during course - you must depart within 48 hours
NCOBS or our travel agent will assist coordinating your departure from course, which may include an overnight hotel stay.
Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.
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