TRAVEL INFORMATION

The information below explains how to make and submit your travel arrangements for Outward Bound.

ONLY MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER:

  1. You have been cleared to participate AND
  2. 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.

Course Start - Traveling to Outward Bound

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.***

PASSPORTS

A passport is required for entry into Argentina. Passport applications may take two to three months to process so apply well in advance of your departure date. The passport application fee is $135 (subject to change). 2 Passport numbers must be submitted to Outward Bound no later than two weeks before the start of the course to ensure that we can complete permits necessary for traveling in Patagonia. Make four clear photocopies of your passport. Mail, fax or scan a copy to our office with your required forms. We encourage you to bring one copy of your passport to the course and leave one with your emergency contact at home.

ESSENTIAL CARRY-ON ITEMS

We advise that you pack all essentials from the Clothing and Gear list in a carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed. These items include:

  • 1 medium weight fleece or wool hat
  • 1 pair of synthetic underwear
  • Headlamp
  • 1 lightweight synthetic long underwear bottom
  • Prescription eye wear (if applicable)
  • 1 pair of quick-drying nylon shorts
  • 1 lightweight synthetic long underwear top
  • 1 pair of quick-dry nylon trekking pants
  • 1 synthetic t-shirt
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • 1 sport/jog bra (if applicable)
  • 1 pair of medium weight socks
  • 1 medium weight fleece jacket or pullover
  • Hiking boots
  • 1 pair of warm fleece or wool gloves
  • Prescription medication (if applicable)

More detailed descriptions of these items are available in the Clothing and Gear list. These items will outfit you during the first 24-72 hours of course if your luggage is lost or delayed. Include copies of your passport and your airline ticket itineraries. Be careful with your carry-on bag while traveling to avoid your bag being lost or stolen. We suggest using a money belt or traveler’s neck pouch for passports, cash, credit cards and airline tickets.

All participants are required to follow our COVID-19 Program Protocols.

Do not finalize travel plans until you have confirmed that your Medical Record booklet has been processed, cleared and your course has been declared a “go.” The North Carolina Outward Bound School is not responsible for refunding the cost of airline tickets if the course cancels.

COURSE START ARRIVAL TIME/LOCATION

  • Time and Date: 12:00 noon on first day of course. To ensure that you arrive on time, we strongly recommend that you arrive the day before course. Delays and cancellations of flights into Bariloche are common.
  • Location: San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport (BRC), Ruta 237 S/N, 8400 San Carlos Bariloche, Rio Negro Argentina. Meet Outward Bound staff in the Arrivals section of the airport after you exit Security; it's to your RIGHT as you exit Baggage Claim. For students arriving to Bariloche prior to course start and returning to the airport to meet Outward Bound, please enter the airport from outside through the Arrivals area and look for the coffee shop.

    This is our only pick-up location/time. Look for Outward Bound staff wearing a shirt or hat with an Outward Bound logo and/or carrying an Outward Bound sign. This staff person will have a list of all course participants.

    We advise all students download WhatsApp to your smartphone to communicate with Outward Bound via Wi-Fi in lieu of an international cell phone plan.

  • Airline Arrival: If you choose not to arrive the day before course starts book your inbound flight to arrive no later than 12:00 noon. Do not book arrival after 12:00 noon as we are unable to accommodate arrivals after this time. Itineraries booked with an arrival time later than 12:00 noon will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.