ILLNESS PRACTICES

Updated March 2025 - Subject to change as the CDC, national, state and county guidelines evolve.

Please know that while Outward Bound California (OBCA) is making every effort to implement protocols that minimize the risk of illness transmission, we cannot guarantee that COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses will not be present on course. 

Reach out to your Course Advisor (for Open Enrollment programs) or Program Manager (for group courses) if you have additional questions.

PRIOR TO COURSE START

• Participants (and parents/guardians of participants under the age of 18) will read and adhere to the requirements listed on this website. Doing so is for the protection of your investment in the course, as OBCA does not offer refunds due to illness.
• Participants must not be symptomatic of contagious illness at course start. Participants must advise OBCA if they have exhibited any symptoms, tested positive, or been in close contact with someone testing positive or showing symptoms of respiratory viruses within 5 days of course start.
• Symptoms of a respiratory virus include fever, chills, fatigue (tiredness), cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, chest discomfort, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, and/or wheezing.

OBCA recommends that you follow the CDC’s core prevention strategies to minimize the chance of getting sick before your course:

• Stay up to date with immunizations. This includes being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination, and getting a flu shot for winter programs.
• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness).
• Take steps for cleaner air.

Additional prevention strategies you can choose to use, to further protect yourself and others include:

• Masks (especially while traveling)
• Physical distancing
• Tests

COURSE START

• Participants health will be evaluated upon arrival by program staff. If feverish or experiencing signs or symptoms of a respiratory virus (see above section), participants will not be allowed to start the course, and will be sent home. Outward Bound courses are physically demanding and participants will not have a place to rest and recover on course.
• OBCA may administer a COVID-19 test at course start if warranted. If a participant tests positive for COVID-19 prior at course start or refuses to take the test, they will not be allowed to join the course and will be sent home.
• If a participant is sent home, cancellation policies will apply for Open Enrollment participants. OBCA strongly suggests families research insurance options. More information can be found on the Policies website.

DURING COURSE

• Enhanced personal hygiene will be practiced on every course.
• Instructors will conduct daily health checks. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a respiratory virus will be evaluated and possibly tested for COVID-19 at the earliest convenience, and participants may need to depart the course due to COVID-19. If so, participants will follow their backup travel plan and depart within 48 hours. 
• Participants will wear approved face masks when requested to do so. Please see your packing list for requirements.

OUR STAFF & INSTRUCTORS

• All OBCA employees instructing or supporting multi-day/overnight expeditions will be cleared to work based on the current CDC, national, state and county guidelines at the time of the expedition. 
• Staff will follow the same CDC core prevention strategies our students are asked to follow.
• Staff will take utilize COVID-19 testing and masking as additional prevention strategies.