Apply: Cancellation Protection Plan

Outward Bound’s cancellation/refund and transfer policies are based on our investment in planning, staffing, and provisioning for these expeditions. These expenses are not recoverable, and short-notice cancellations and transfers often prevent others from attending.

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Cancellations can be made by phone but must be confirmed in writing. If you cancel, Outward Bound retains the $100 Application Fee and the following percentage of full course tuition (not the amount you have paid to date) and transportation fee:

Cancellation after course start: There are no refunds because of voluntary withdrawal for motivational reasons, “no show” or dismissal. All tuition and fees paid are forfeited. In addition, you may incur an evacuation fee.

PARENTS: While we make every attempt to keep motivation high, if your child is not willing to comply with our Code of Conduct, or is determined to leave the course, we will call you and arrange to send him/her home. There will be no refund. We will not keep any student against his/her will, and we expect full participation from all individuals.

Outward Bound’s Cancellation/Withdrawal Protection Plan (below) offers protection from cancellation fees in the event of a medical or family emergency.

Once enrolled, you may transfer once to another course without any additional expense, up to 30 days prior to your original course start date.

If you transfer before your original course start date, the following penalties may apply:

Protect your course tuition with Outward Bound’s Cancellation/Withdrawal Protection Plan. With this Plan, if you cancel your application due to a medical or family emergency, you can receive a 100% refund of your tuition*. The Plan also guarantees that if you must leave your course early due to personal injury, illness or family emergency, you will be refunded a prorated share of your tuition.

* The application fee and cancellation policy costs are non-refundable. To receive the full refund, you must submit a letter outlining reasons for the cancellation and provide appropriate documentation. There is no refund for cancellation due to a change in schedule or for motivational reasons. To receive a refund in the event of course withdrawal, we must receive a refund request from you in writing within 45 days of leaving your course. There is no refund for removal due to behavioral or motivational reasons or expulsion.

To qualify for the Cancellation/Withdrawal Protection Plan, you must purchase it at least 30 days prior to your course start date. (You may purchase only the Withdrawal Protection Plan if under 30 days.) The Protection Plan only covers events that take place after Outward Bound receives your full payment for the plan. The fees for this plan are as follows:

North Carolina Outward Bound expects all students to participate voluntarily, come prepared to put forth their best effort, try new activities, work as part of a group and follow instructions, especially where safety is concerned.

Our conduct and expulsion policy is designed to support our intent to deliver a successful experience for each participant and their teammates. Students who fail to meet any element compromise individual and overall team success. North Carolina Outward Bound instructors work to inspire motivation and teach students the skills they need to meet our conduct expectations; however, we cannot compromise the safety of others or the overall course quality and, at times, students are expelled from course in progress.

You (or your child) may be expelled from course and required to leave early if you (or your child) are:

• Unwilling or unmotivated to participate and shoulder your responsibility as a member of a wilderness expedition team
• Posing a danger through misconduct or unsafe practices to yourself or others
• Defiant, harassing or otherwise compromising the emotional safety of others
• Using alcohol, drugs or tobacco products while on course
• Engaging in sexual activity