Physical Mailing Address: Northwest Outward Bound School ATTN: Student Services Department 2130 N. Kilpatrick Street, #17359 Portland, OR 97217
Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) wilderness courses range from 3-day skill building programs to 3-month semester programs with the goal of changing lives through challenge and discovery. The wilderness environments in which our expeditions take place are challenging, remote and rugged.
The health and safety of our students and staff are a top priority, along with the quality of the course experience for all participants. To achieve essential group outcomes, individuals on each course must be fully capable of and committed to learning and using wilderness skills, meeting physical and social challenges, and taking care of themselves and each other.
NWOBS values diversity and a positive learning environment but does not specialize in experiences for people with disabilities or with significant mental, emotional or behavioral challenges. NWOBS instructors are not therapists and are not trained in adaptive wilderness or integrative teaching skills.
The Essential Eligibility Criteria are applied to all students on expedition-based NWOBS courses. A qualified person meets both the general criteria for NWOBS and the criteria for the specific program activities and program areas. If an applicant does not meet specific criteria, NWOBS might be able to accommodate an applicant unless it significantly alters the fundamental nature of the course activity, jeopardizes the health and safety of NWOBS students or staff, or places an undue administrative or financial burden on NWOBS.
The following list is not exhaustive. For any questions regarding specific requirements, please contact a Washington or Oregon Course Advisor.
Program Requirements
General
Able to understand verbal and visual instructions individually and in a group setting and follow such instructions whether supervised or not.
Able to comprehend hazards and safety concerns when explained, and to adhere to safety policies and procedures even when instructors are not present.
Able to identify and recognize hazards posed by the environment (e.g., steep or uneven terrain, moving water, sun, wind, cold, etc.) and other participants (e.g., fatigue, state of mind and other influences of judgment and decision making).
Able to effectively communicate to others personal distress, injury or need for assistance, and communicate to others any hazards and dangers that they perceive.
Able to adapt to the physical and emotional rigors of the expedition and live in primitive conditions for weeks at a time, often more than a day from advanced medical care.
Able to stay alert and engaged for extended periods of wilderness travel and living.
Able to stay properly hydrated and nourished, by day or night, and learn skills for self-care, including proper hygiene and use of clothing and equipment.
Able to refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, and any misuse of prescription or OTC drugs. If using prescription drugs, able to follow correct dosage and usage and keep them in good condition between resupplies (up to eight days) with or without instructor assistance.
Able to contribute to a safe social and learning environment and maintain appropriate relationships with other group members and instructors, refrain from sexual activity, harassment and bullying, and all other behavior that disrupts the learning of others or the cohesion of the group.
COVID-19 Eligibility Criteria (Updated 3/24/2023)
Participants must obtain a negative antigen test within 48 hours prior to course start.
Arrive at course-start neither experiencing nor presenting any signs or symptoms of communicable disease.
Able to wear a face cover (such as a mask) when instructed to do so. Masks must cover both the nose and mouth and fasten either at the back of the head or behind the ears.
Able to follow instructions for behaviors that reduce the risk of spreading communicable diseases, such as handwashing, coughing into an elbow, and covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Able to refrain from xenophobic comments and bullying or harassment related to race or culture.
Backpacking and Mountaineering
Able to carry a backpack weighing 50-60 pounds, or up to 45% of body weight, that will include personal clothing, group food and equipment.
Able to travel each day wearing a loaded backpack over steep and uneven terrain, on and off trail, for over six hours, over six to fifteen miles and an elevation gain or loss of over 1,500 feet, including sections of scrambling (one or both hands needed), and crossing rivers and streams that do not have bridges.
Rock Climbing and Mountaineering
Able to wear a climbing harness and helmet correctly.
Able to participate in belaying and climbing activities.
Canoeing
Able to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD or “life jacket”) correctly, able to maintain a face up position in water while wearing a PFD and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat.
Able to follow instructions immediately upon sudden immersion into cold water, whether the instructions have already been taught or are communicated in the moment.
Able to sit and kneel in a canoe and maintain stability.
Able to control a paddle and pull it through the water to steer and move the canoe forward.
Able to re-enter a canoe from the water with minimal assistance from others.
Able to help carry a 70-pound canoe with or without another person.
Able to travel over uneven terrain on and off trail.
Sea Kayaking
Able to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD or “life jacket”) correctly, able to maintain a face up position in water while wearing a PFD and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat.
Able to follow instructions immediately upon sudden immersion into cold water, whether the instructions have already been taught or are communicated in the moment.
Able to enter a kayak cockpit easily and execute a wet exit in the event of a capsize.
Able to sit in a kayak and maintain stability.
Able to control a paddle and pull it through the water to steer and move the kayak forward.
Able to re-enter a kayak from the water with minimal assistance from others.
Able to carry a 60-pound kayak with another person.
Whitewater Rafting
Able to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD or “life jacket”) correctly, able to maintain a face up position in water while wearing a PFD and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat.
Able to follow instructions immediately upon sudden immersion into cold water, whether the instructions have already been taught or are communicated in the moment.
Able to sit in a raft and maintain stability.
Able to control a paddle and pull it through the water to assist in moving the raft.
Able to re-enter a raft from the water with assistance from others.
Able to move over uneven terrain on and off trail.
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