Outward Bound California (OBCA) expedition courses range in length from 3 - 65 days in length, and all share the goal of changing lives through challenge and discovery. The course areas in which our programs take place are challenging, exposed and remote; programs are often more than 1 hour from definitive medical care.

The health and safety of our students and staff is of great importance, and we place top priority on the educational quality of the experience for all participants. In order to achieve the intended outcomes, individuals must be fully capable of and committed to engaging in course activities, meeting physical and social challenges, and tending to their personal needs as well as the collective needs of the group.

OBCA values diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to provide culturally responsive programming in a positive learning environment for all participants. Our instructors are skilled experiential educators and group facilitators, but OBCA does not specialize in experiences for people with disabilities or significant mental health, emotional needs or behavioral conditions. Our staff are neither therapists nor medical professionals, and are neither trained in adaptive programming nor able to provide specialized, individual support.  

The Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) outlined below are applied to all participants enrolled on expeditions in backcountry course areas. Applicants are evaluated on both the General Criteria, and activity-specific criteria listed below. If an applicant cannot meet the EEC, a determination will be made as to whether OBCA can reasonably accommodate them with neither undue financial burden nor jeopardizing the health, safety, and positive learning environment for all students and staff members on course, and while still adhering to the fundamental nature of the course as planned.  

General

• Able to adapt to the physical, emotional, and social demands of the expedition - traveling each day, sleeping on the ground, living and working 24/7 with others, able to be flexible in ways of living.  Able to comprehend hazards and safety concerns after instruction, and to adhere to safety policies and procedures even when instructors are not present.
• Able to consistently follow verbal and visual instructions and refrain from self-injurious behaviors, violence, threats, and aggressive or intimidating outbursts.
• Able to recognize safety hazards and communicate danger, distress or medical and/or mental health issues to staff in a timely manner.
• Able to perform essential self-care, including maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration, dressing appropriately for environmental conditions, maintaining personal hygiene, and managing known medical conditions in a setting often more than a day from advanced medical care.
• Able to refrain from the use of alcohol, nicotine (unless otherwise approved), and all unapproved substances, and misuse of prescription or non-prescription drugs.
• Able to be respectful of the various identities (such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and nationality) of others; refrain from behavior that is discriminatory to other’s identities, socially exclusive behavior, and language that is derogatory or harmful to others.
• Able to contribute to a safe, inclusive social and learning environment; maintain appropriate relationships with other group members and instructors; and refrain from behaviors that disrupt the learning of others.
• Must arrive at course-start neither experiencing nor presenting any symptoms or signs of communicable disease.
• Must be able to wear a face mask* when instructed.  *An acceptable mask must be able to cover the wearer's nose and chin and fit snugly against the side of the face. The mask should be secured with ties or ear loops and include multiple layers of fabric. (N95, KN95, KF94 are recommended. Not acceptable: Masks with valves and vents, bandanas, buffs.)

Backpacking & Alpine Backpacking Courses

• Able to carry appropriately sized and adjusted backpack, as per manufacturer’s recommendations, weighing a minimum of 40lbs, that will include personal clothing and gear as well as a portion of the group food and equipment.
• Able to travel each day wearing a loaded backpack, while maintaining adequate balance, over steep and uneven terrain, on and off trail (off trail on Alpine Backpacking courses), at elevations of 8000’ or more, including sections of scrambling, and crossing rivers and streams that do not have bridges.

Desert Backpacking Courses

• Able to carry appropriately sized and adjusted backpack, as per manufacturer’s recommendations, weighing a minimum of 40lbs, that will include personal clothing and gear as well as a portion of the group food and equipment.
• Able to travel each day wearing a loaded backpack, while maintaining adequate balance, over steep and uneven terrain, on trail with the potential for short sections of off trail travel, at elevations of 4000' or more, including sections of scrambling, and the potential to cross flash floods that do not have bridges.

Rock Climbing Courses

In addition to Backpack Criteria above, be able to:

• Able to wear a climbing helmet, as per manufacturer’s recommendations.
• If participating in belaying, rappelling and climbing activities, able to wear a climbing harness, as per manufacturer's recommendations.