Outward Bound Wilderness’ Cancellation Transfer & Early Departure policies are based on our investment in planning, staffing and provisioning for all courses. These expenses are not recoverable and short-notice cancellations and transfers often prevent others from attending. 

Making changes to by canceling entirely, moving from one course to the other or leaving your course early can result in penalties depending on whether you have purchased the Tuition Protection Plan, the timing (for transfers or cancels) relative to course start or the reason for any of the above.  The chart below outlines the various scenarios and our refund policies for each.  

Voluntary refers to Transfers, Cancellations or Early Departures that are based on schedule changes, change of mind, personal choice or other elective reasons.  This category includes no-shows, expulsions and Early Departures (leaving course early) due to an undisclosed pre-existing condition, injury, medication or behavioral history. There are no refunds for Voluntary changes.

Emergency refers to Transfers, Cancellations or Early Departures that are due to family emergencies (significant illness or death) or injuries and require documentation in writing within 45 days. There are refunds or credits for most Emergency changes.

Refund percentages are based on the total of the Tuition & Transportation fee, not of total payments to date.  The Application Fee is not refundable. Early Departures do not include refund or credit for the Transportation Fee

Transfer fee - An additional fee of $100 may be applied to 2^nd or any subsequent Voluntary Transfers

Application fee - Outward Bound requires a non-refundable Application Fee to apply for a course.  We invest significant time in preparing our students for course and cannot offer you that benefit without a commitment on your part.  Your Application Fee is refundable ONLY if you apply for a Scholarship and receive less than you requested and cancel for that reason OR if you enroll on a waitlist and a spot does not open up for you. In every other case, including if we deny you admission or you cancel for any reason at any time prior to course start. Published tuition does not include the Application Fee.

Tranportation fee - There is an transportation fee of $100 for most of our courses. The transportation fee covers transport to and from course start and end locations or trailheads and other expenses related to maintaining a fleet of vehicles. Certain semester courses may have additional expenses for travel between locations. IF you cancel prior to course start we will refund 100% of your Transportation Fee. Published tuition does not include Transportation Fee.

The Tuition Protection Plan
The Tuition Protection Plan (the Plan) protects your Tuition and/or Transportation Fee payments from forfeiture or penalty due to certain types of Cancellations, Transfers and Early Departures. See the Cancellation, Transfer and Early Departure policy above for details. 

The plan must be purchased more than 30 days from the course start to cover Cancellations or Transfers. Plans purchased less than 30 days from course start cover only Early Departures. 

The Protection Plan fee is non-refundable within 60 days of your course start date. The cost of the Plan is based on the length of your course:

4-11 days          $75

12-27 days        $125

28-59 days        $175

60+ days           $225

Application materials are due no later than 2 weeks from the Application date.  We can make certain accommodations for unavoidable delays in returning Application materials but seriously past due Applications that remain past due for more than 30 days (excluding applications closer to course start) from course start constitutes a cancel and Cancellation penalties, as listed above, may apply.