These policies clarify the registration and enrollment process. Our general terms and conditions are based on our investment in planning, staffing and delivering of our programs. These expenses are not recoverable, therefore, penalties may apply. Before you make any further commitment, make sure you have read and understand the policies outlined in this document. If you have any questions, email our Student Services Teamor call (929) 348-5739.
Program Fees and Tuition
The total published cost of the program includes all tuition and fees. Tuition covers the costs of snacks, instructors, and equipment needed during the program. Not included in this total cost are any personal expenses.
Full payment is within 48 hours of receiving an invoice from the Student Services Team. If the payment is not received at this time, the camper’s spot will not be held on the program.
Tuition Refund Policy
The following refund policies apply to our Summer Day Programming only. For information on Open Enrollment refunds, please visit the Admissions, Payment, and Cancellation Policy available on our website.
If cancellation is requested…
within 24 hours of registration, campers will be offered a full refund, no questions asked.
by March 31, we offer a 80% refund of the program tuition.
between April 1 and May 16, we offer a 60% refund of the program tuition.
between May 17 and June 16, we offer a 40% refund of the program tuition.
after June 17, no refund will be offered.
If NWOBS cancels your program for any reason…
prior to the start date, campers will be offered a transfer to another program in the same calendar year. If the participant is not able to transfer to another program, a full refund of the tuition will be offered.
after the start date, campers will receive a prorated refund based on the number of program days completed.
Emergency Cancellations
If the camper needs to cancel prior to the program start due to a documentable emergency (i.e. serious illness/injury of participant, death in the family), we will give a full refund of the tuition.
If the camper needs to cancel after the program starts due to a documentable emergency (i.e. serious illness/injury of participant, death in the family), we will give a prorated refund of the tuition, based on the number of program days completed.
In either case, written documentation from a medical or professional must be provided to Northwest Outward Bound within 2 weeks of cancellation in order to receive a refund.
Transfer Policy
We can accommodate transfers requests that are submitted prior to June 17. Transfers are subject to availability and must be for programs within the same calendar year.
Unfortunately, due to staffing, we cannot accommodate transfer requests that are submitted after June 17, 2023.
We maintain waitlists for programs that are already full. To be on the waitlist, we must receive your completed enrollment packet. If a spot opens, it will be offered to the individual who returned their completed enrollment packet first; not to the individual who enrolled first on the waitlist. This individual will have 24 hours to decide to take the open spot before it is offered to the next person on the waitlist.
Paperwork Deadlines
Northwest Outward Bound requires the return of the Admissions Paperwork by the due date assigned. Late return of application and forms will jeopardize the camper’s spot in the program. If the enrollment packet materials or tuition is past due, the enrollment will be considered inactive and the camper’s spot may be made available to other campers.
Undisclosed Information
Our goal is for every camper to have a successful program. Failure to provide accurate and complete information could compromise the camper or other campers' safety and program quality. By sharing all physical, emotional or behavioral conditions, we can offer each camper the highest chance for success.
Please report injuries, illnesses, new medications or changes to prescriptions to Northwest Outward Bound School. If a camper arrives to the program with an unreported medical condition or other diagnosis or if the type or amount of medication has changed since submitting a camper’s medical form, and we have not been notified about these changes, the camper may not be allowed to begin their program.
Camper Motivation
Due to the nature of the Outward Bound programming, it is important that campers are motivated and prepared to attend. In addition, Outward Bound is an “at will” program. We do not accept campers who are enrolling due to the wishes or coercion of parents/guardians or the judicial system. Some campers may not be ready for the program when they enroll and may be better suited to wait another year. If campers are found to be unwilling or unmotivated to attend during the application process, they will not be approved for the program.
Expulsion
As a camper, you may be expelled and require to leave the program, if you are:
Unwilling/unmotivated to participate and assume the responsibilities of a member of a 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 (including non-prescribed prescription medication or sharing prescribed drugs), or tobacco products during the program;*
Engaging in sexual activity.*
* Mandatory expulsion per Outward Bound USA & Northwest Outward Bound Safety Policies & Procedures.
If a camper exhibits any of the above behaviors, they may be removed from the program. Instructors typically work with the participant individually; they may employ additional resources or consult the parent before removing a participant from the field. However, participants who break the law or endanger others may be expelled immediately. While we do train our staff in managing teen behaviors and design programs to support positive behaviors, our priority is the safety of the group, not individual participant behavioral management.
Divorced & Co-Parents
If a camper has divorced or co-parents, Outward Bound will communicate with the parent whose information is included in the initial enrollment and note them as the primary contact. It is up to this parent to notify Outward Bound if additional parents/guardians should be included in communications. Similarly, this primary parent contact is responsible for informing any second or third-party payers of the registration and cancellation policies. Any subsequent financial obligation is the responsibility of the primary parent contact. Outward Bound only requires one legal guardian signature on the application.
During the Program
The itinerary may vary. Depending on the weather, the skill level of your group or other conditions, certain activities may not be possible. Change in the published itinerary does not constitute a change in the promise of the product sold and will not result in a refund.
Campers may be charged for lost or damaged gear. Please read the list of items to bring to your program to see what equipment Northwest Outward Bound School supplies for campers. You will be invoiced post-program for any lost or damaged gear.
Campers will be with a group of diverse individuals. All campers are thoroughly screened and we make every effort to ensure each camper is capable of full participation. However, other campers may adversely affect your experience by being less fit or less pleasant than other campers. This is the nature of the experience and cannot be prevented.
All programs are co-ed unless otherwise indicated. There is, however, no guarantee that every program will attract an equally mixed gender group. All activities occur in co-ed groups with varying degrees of instructor supervision, depending upon the activities and age of campers.
Camper Supervision: campers on an Outward Bound program are under staff supervision from the beginning of the program to the end. This means that staff are responsible for the physical and emotional safety of the program campers. As campers gain competency, they will be deliberately assigned responsibilities for safety-related tasks, but staff are no less responsible for the safety of the outcomes. The required level of supervision changes situationally and varies between different programs, different groups, different campers within each group and may change in moments. Campers may be Directly Supervised, Indirectly Supervised or Remotely Supervised depending on a combination of factors such as: environmental, knowledge and skill level, individual responsibility and group cohesion.
Our purpose is to support each camper to successfully complete their program. However, if a camper is determined to leave, we cannot and will not force the camper to stay against their will. Parents will be contacted to arrange for pickup.
Northwest Outward Bound prohibits discrimination against any camper because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other category which may be protected by applicable state or federal law. Northwest Outward Bound promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression.
Commitment to Excellence
Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound attributed the success of Outward Bound to the activities, which develop a positive attitude towards challenge and an ethic of service and compassion for others. His objective was to nurture youth with convictions that were rooted in four basic concepts: physical fitness, craftsmanship, self-reliance, and above all, compassion. Our aim is to help build self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as concern and respect for others. With that said, it is important that each participant come with a willingness to open themselves to the journey that Outward Bound begins.
Every instructor relies on the establishment of some basic rules designed to maintain physical and emotional safety. These rules are non-negotiable, reasonable and basic. All programs are a bit different but, at a minimum, we will expect the following:
Be open to meeting new people.
Try your hardest and participate to your fullest.
No exclusive (or sexual) relationships or cliques.
Make mistakes and learn from them.
Follow all physical and emotional safety guidelines.
Derogatory language and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
No drugs, alcohol or tobacco, including e-cigarettes.
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