Travel Information for Joshua Tree Courses

If you are on a 4-day or 5-day adult course please click here - your course has different timing information!

 **Reminder – Do not book travel until you have been cleared to do so. This includes receiving both your medical clearance AND course confirmation emails. If you aren’t sure if you have these two items, or have any questions, please contact your Course Advisor before purchasing any non-refundable travel. Due to COVID-19 uncertainty OBCA recommends purchasing refundable and/or changeable tickets, or trip insurance (more information on insurance can be found on our Policies website).

For the 2024-25 season: In the case of an early departure due to a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, either at course start or during the course, participants must have a backup departure plan that allows for departure within 48 hours. For additional information on OBCA’s Respiratory Virus/COVID-19 Practices, please click here.

WHERE TO MEET

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) – Baggage Claim Area – Terminal Map

Airport Address: 3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262

TRAVEL DELAYS

If a travel delay occurs, please call the Southern California basecamp at 760-821-7170. This line is staffed and messages are checked often. 

COURSE START

Palm Springs Airport International Airport (PSP)

• Flight Arrival: Book your inbound flight to arrive by 11:30 AM on the first day of the course. If you arrive early, please go to baggage claim to connect with your group. An Outward Bound staff member will be there by approximately 10:30 AM.
• Being Driven/Driving Yourself: Please arrive at the airport by 11:00AM. You can park onsite at the airport.
• Greyhound/Amtrak: An Outward Bound staff member can usually pick you up from the station with advance notice. Please confirm with your course advisor prior to booking. Trains/buses arriving by 11:00 are fine.

COURSE END

Palm Springs Airport International Airport (PSP)

• Flight Departure: Book your return flight after 1:00 PM on the last day of the course, you’ll be back by 12:00 PM or earlier if there are no travel delays.
• Driving: For those being picked up, you’ll be back at the airport by 12:00 PM on the last day of the course. The best place to meet is the baggage claim area.
• Greyhound/Amtrak: An Outward Bound staff member can usually take you to the station with advance notice. Please schedule this with your course advisor prior to booking. Trains/buses after 1:00 PM are fine.

Note About Course End Drop Offs

Youth, Teen Courses - Ages 14+: Any student who has booked Unaccompanied Minor status through the airline will be taken through security by an OBCA staff member. For all other students, an OBCA staff member will be available to assist with check in, and support as needed for a limited time after drop off. Unless Unaccompanied Minor Services have been purchased through your airline, students will not be supervised after drop-off unless they have specifically requested support from staff.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

• Definition: A term that airlines (as well as bus and train services) use for minors who have purchased their Unaccompanied Minor service. It ensures that a staff member from OBCA connects the student to a staff member from the airline, and then the airline staff ensures that the student connects again to a designated adult at their final destination.
• Travelling as an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) has its challenges. We recommend calling the airline as you enroll on course to make sure there are flights that will accommodate your schedule. You can also see general restrictions on each airline's website. Please confirm current policies and restrictions directly with your airline (or bus or train).
• There are additional fees for travelling as a UM, up to $300 per ticket, please keep this in mind when selecting a course out of state.
• One of our staff members (not your Course Advisor) will meet your child at the flight gate to escort them to the group. You'll need the name of that staff member who will collect and return your child to the gate. Please contact your Course Advisor for this information.
• Amtrak and Greyhound also require UM services. If traveling using these carriers, please make sure you review the policies and select UM services if necessary - they are very strict about this.
• Please notify your Course Advisor ahead of time when traveling as a UM, as there are additional steps you’ll need to take. It is your responsibility to book UM status and find out if it's necessary. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Palm Springs Hotels 

If you need to arrive a day early or stay a day late, here are some hotels close to the airport. Please contact hotels directly for airport shuttle information, minimum age to stay, and any COVID-19 related policies. 

• Courtyard Palm Springs (760) 322-6100 - Offers complimentary airport shuttle **has made exceptions for minors in the past with prepaid authorization and liability forms.
• Quality Inn Hotel (760) 323-2775
• Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel (760) 325-4372
• Extended Stay America Hotel Palm Springs Airport (760) 416-0084

TRAVEL AGENT

Tina Skelton -Twist Travel
Phone: 206-512-4977
Email: [email protected]