North Carolina Outward Bound courses are both mentally and physically rigorous. Different aspects of courses challenge each student in different ways. Our courses are designed for people of average fitness; however, how well you prepare for course can greatly impact your success and enjoyment of the experience.

It is important that you: be prepared to keep an open mind, embrace new experiences, and follow the guidelines you receive upon enrollment. Our Student Services Representatives will be there along the road to prepare you and to answer any questions you may have. All you have to do is call or e-mail us.

No experience is necessary. You do not have to be an athlete or an outdoor enthusiast to succeed at North Carolina Outward Bound. In fact, we have many students who have never camped before. It is important that you physically prepare for your course. View our Eligibility Criteria for Wilderness-Based Courses

Our Admissions Advisor can answer questions you have about what to expect. The best way to prepare yourself for course is to get active and commit yourself to giving your best effort. Once on course, instructors will introduce you to outdoor skills and address any concerns you have.

Yes, students must be willing and motivated to attend Outward Bound. This is not a boot camp. We do not force participants to go on course. In order to make sure all students have an enjoyable time while on course we ask that everyone fully participate in all course activities and follow the rules and regulations of Outward Bound. Students will be asked about their motivation level during the enrollment and interview processes.

Nearly half of the students attending a North Carolina Outward Bound School course receive a scholarship of some kind. Scholarships are awarded to those with financial need on a first-come, first-served basis and as resources allow. Learn how to apply.

Your school may offer credit for your course, but you must arrange this with your school before your course begins.

The Independent Study Guide is a great resource for setting up an Outward Bound independent study. Check with your advisor to see if your school will grant direct credit for your participation. If it doesn’t, college students can obtain transfer credits from Western State College or Warren Wilson College. If it is required, we can provide a post-course verification to your school. Find out more about receiving academic credit.

As the leader in experiential and outdoor education, our instructors are accomplished outdoor educators with extensive experience and training in technical and facilitation skills. Whether it’s leading an ascent or facilitating a group discussion, our instructors form the backbone and the heart of every course. They are generally in their late 20s and are adventurous and compassionate people who have a full resume of teaching outdoor, and group leadership experiences.

Many of our instructors are also Outward Bound Alumni and have participated in our rigorous 50-day Outdoor Educato Course. They are also all Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certified. They may also have further certifications and training in select fields and are hired having professional experience in one of the following: teaching, counseling, or group leadership. All our instructors participate in annual trainings that offer professional development and enhance our participants’ experience on course. Learn about our educators.

Since 1967, North Carolina Outward Bound has served tens of thousands of students on wilderness expeditions. Safety is of the utmost importance to us. We are proud of our safety record over that time and frequently review and refine our policies to maintain that record. It is important to recognize that there are real risks associated with participating in outdoor activities. Learning to manage those risks is part of every course, and each student is expected to play a role in their own safety by adhering to the rules, policies, and procedures set up by instructors and staff members while at Outward Bound.

Our risk management efforts include: internal and external reviews of courses and course areas, instructors who are certified as Wilderness First Responders (an outdoor education industry standard level of training), annual instructor assessments, training requirements and the development of comprehensive program plans.

Even with these measures, the risk of serious injury, property damage, and death cannot be eliminated. While we cannot completely eliminate these risks, our focus on risk management allows participants to face challenges, to travel into remote areas, and to achieve success.

Outward Bound is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Being with people you don’t know is part of the Outward Bound experience. There are many great benefits to sharing your experience with a diverse group of people that you don’t know. You may start out as strangers, but after working, playing, and living together in the wilderness, you most likely will leave course with deep friendships.

In a small group setting, friends or spouses may become too competitive or, on the other hand, too dependent on each other. For that reason, we encourage students to enroll in their own course and will direct friends/family members/spouses attending the same dates into different groups whenever possible (except Parent/Child programs). You and your friend may enroll in the same course, but you will be placed in separate crews, which allows you to enjoy the experience independently. If you feel we should make an exception in your case, contact us to see what your options are.

NCOBS keeps participants engaged as much as possible. There is not a lot of downtime. In addition to the students’ expedition,  time is taken out of the day for “teachable moments,” whether it is flora/fauna identification, an interesting fact about the area they are in, or general life lessons. If a student wants to quit, we may bring in incentives, personal contracts, letters from parents, as well as other members of the group to lift them up and keep them pushing through.

A small group is essential to manage wilderness travel and to maximize learning for each individual. Courses are broken into crews of up to 12 students with two or more instructors. You will laugh, cry, argue, rejoice, celebrate, and share every moment of your course with your crewmates, developing close and lasting relationships.

Near the end of every course, students separate from each other, staying within close range of the instructors, to be alone,– or solo — for a period of time. Most people use this time for reflection, relaxation, as well as a time to use all the technical skills they have learned. This is not a “survival test;” you will not be dropped into a remote area. Participants will be given shelter, food, water, and a journal to help them record and reflect while alone. The Solo sites will be chosen by the instructors, who will find a place that is both secluded and within hearing distance of other members of the group for safety. You will not be traveling during this time, and your instructors will check on you occasionally. The length of a Solo is determined by course length, weather, and group dynamics. Watch: Unplug and Listen

You will help cook meals for yourself and your group while out on your North Carolina Outward Bound School course. Our food is wholesome, simple, lightweight, and not perishable. With high levels of activity on our courses, carbohydrates are essential. A few examples of things you might have are: bagels, cheese, granola, grapenuts, grits, Raisin Bran, oatmeal, pancakes, rice, raisins, hummus, peanut butter, pita, salami, tortillas, tuna, trail mix, noodles, beans, soup, chili, etc.

With advance notification, we can accommodate vegetarian and many other special diets. If you have questions about whether we can accommodate your special diet, contact us.

All courses are co-ed unless otherwise published as such (i.e., Girls Only courses). However, there is no guarantee that the course will attract a mixed gender group. If you have questions about the gender makeup of a particular course, give us a call, and we can share that information with you. We often try to have instructors of varied genders on course, but cannot guarantee this is always available. Students on courses with a maximum age of 18 or younger will sleep in single gender groups with instructors in close proximity.

The tuition you pay prior to course covers all of your food while on course, instructor salaries, land use permits, most of the equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, cooking utensils), and other technical gear associated with the activities you will participate in at North Carolina Outward Bound School.

Students will need to provide their own clothing, footwear, and some gear, such as a headlamp, and will be responsible for the costs of any physician’s exam (if required) and travel to and from the course meeting site. A clothing and gear list will be provided to each student upon enrollment. You can always call us if you have questions about the clothing and gear requirements.

We recommend that you delay purchasing nonrefundable airline tickets until you have been approved for participation and the course is confirmed as a “go.” Occasionally, we cancel courses due to permit changes, low enrollment, or other issues.

When you have been approved for the course and you know it is a “go”, make sure you pay close attention to the start and end times and location of your course start/end before booking your tickets to avoid any mistakes with your reservation.