Your course will begin at Rock Sound International Airport (RSD) on Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas. After a short shuttle ride to the campus of the Island School, you will meet your instructors and get a basic introduction to your boat and briefings on emergency procedures. You will soon cast off lines and begin your adventure on the water.
All courses are “expedition-based,” which means that you will leave the dock on the first or second day of your course and not return to it until the end of your course. You will travel with all you need to conduct your expedition: stoves, shelters, food and water, etc. You will row or sail nearly every day, developing skills as you travel along your planned route.
Physical exercise and bathing occurs daily with an ocean swim. There are no showers, no bathrooms, no telephones, no television or many other modern luxuries that you may be accustomed to. You should come to your course physically and emotionally prepared for and excited about devoting all of your time and energy to your expedition, your group and your Outward Bound experience.
Arriving physically fit will enhance your experience and ability to do well on the course and ultimately allow you to take full advantage of the expedition. We will teach you everything you need to know: sail handling, steering, anchoring, navigating using chart and compass, and living comfortably aboard a small open boat. You need to be ready to physically and mentally adapt to the rigors of a sailing expedition, as well as a willingness and ability to engage in the community that is formed by this kind of expedition in this environment.
The essential goal of any Outward Bound course is for the students to learn autonomy. Our expedition curriculum supports this happening in a progressive way.
During the first third of a course (a phase called “training expedition”), the instructors are very present in the group. They teach outdoor skills, the technical aspects of the activities and guide the students as they form a team.
In the middle third of the course (what we call the “main expedition”), the instructors take a step back so students may step forward. Students begin to teach what they’ve already learned to each other, and experiment with applying basic skills to bigger challenges. The instructors continue to coach and support as the students practice leadership roles. When the group meets a particular situation, environment or activity they haven’t learned about before, the instructors jump back in and teach. Each time this happens, the group reaches competency more quickly.
By the last third of the course (the “final expedition”), students are the stars of the show. They are applying what they know, leading each other, setting goals, and solving problems collaboratively. The instructors are close by and ready to step back in to prevent a safety issue from occurring but will let students find their own resiliency when they make mistakes, and ensure they feel the full spotlight of success when they meet their goals.
On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:
Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel.
The first few years after high school are filled with excitement and pressure - whether you are getting ready for (or are in) college, or are building your knowledge and skills within the workforce. Sometimes, it’s easy to let the momentum take over.
To get a fresh perspective, it's important to step out of your routines and challenge yourself in new ways so you can discover new strengths within yourself.
On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:
Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel. Our Outward Bound instructors coach students to step outside their perceived limitations, to assess risks, and to work together on expedition to achieve more than they thought possible - and also to find ways to transfer these "a-ha" moments back to life at home, work and school.
You need to be physically fit, and motivated to live, learn and work together within your expedition team. No previous wilderness travel or camping experience is necessary—all travel and leadership skills are taught from the beginning, and each phase of the expedition builds on the previous one.
As part of our commitment to students participating in course-related foreign travel, Outward Bound has invested in global medical and security assistance through a group membership with On Call International.
Member services and related benefits that are included with your enrollment:
Not included under this membership:
As a member of our Outward Bound group you have access to pre-trip medical, security, and personal safety advice and services. Examples include up to date advice on: recommended vaccinations, food and water safety, and security risks.
While on course outside the US, should health issues arise, or in the unlikely event of serious injury, illness or a security crisis during your course, On Call International provides expertise and resources to help us select the best options to manage the situation. For example, if you lose your medication, need to see a doctor, get pick-pocketed and lose your passport, or have an incident resulting in illness or injury, you and your Outward Bound instructors would work with On Call International to determine the best course of action. The On Call International network of medical and professional service teams operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all over the world.
Please note that Outward Bound’s International Travel Program and related services and benefits, only applies to Outward Bound (“school sponsored”) courses and activities, travel related to a sponsored course or activity, and travel (directly) between the international course or activity location and the US. This program will not apply to any international travel you might choose that is unrelated to the Outward Bound sponsored course or activity. If you plan to extend your plans beyond your Outward Bound experience, we recommend you purchase separate travel insurance for any international travel planned outside of your Outward Bound course and sponsored activities.
We are pleased to be able to provide this level of service and benefits to our students and their families participating in International Outward Bound courses. If, after reviewing this letter and the summary, you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your course advisor, or refer to the website of On Call International, and enter the Outward Bound group ID 100109CPPD19.
** Please be aware that most trip cancellation policies will provide fee-based services that will be redundant to those included with your On Call membership.
On Call International (On Call) is one of the world’s leading medical and security assistance companies. Your complimentary membership is included when you enroll in an Outward Bound course with international components. The plan entitles you to a host of pre-trip and international travel assistance resources.
A 24/7 Assistance Center for immediate access to worldwide medical, security, travel and emergency assistance.
Along with a robust list of pre-trip services, On Call provides medical evacuation and repatriation coordination; political and natural disaster evacuation coordination; including coordination of payment of overseas medical bills (where Guarantee of Payments are accepted) as benefits through HDI Global Specialty SE, UK Branch.
Transportation of a family member to join a hospitalized student (if they are hospitalized more than 3 days), accommodation while visiting a hospitalized student, return of dependent children, and return of a traveling companion are also services coordinated through On Call International.
By dialing the 24-hr Assistance Center or by sending an email to [email protected], members have access to pre-trip medical, security, personal safety and travel advice and services. Examples include up to date advice on: recommended vaccinations, food and water safety, and security risks.
Outward Bound students and their families should visit the On Call International online portal to familiarize themselves with all the services that On Call offers, both pre-trip and while abroad.
Please go to mysearchlightportal.com and at the prompt for the Group ID website login, enter Outward Bound’s Group ID number: 100109CPPD19
If you have a medical or security related question or emergency during your course, the Outward Bound staff overseeing the course activities will coordinate contact with On Call International on your behalf.
Any contact related to initial coordination of services will be made by the Outward Bound staff overseeing the course activities. In the unlikely event that you are separated from the course and are alone and in need of assistance, you will have contact numbers for local staff and services as well as the 24-hour On Call International Global Response Center contact information 1-603-952-2669.
No, you will not receive an individual On Call International insurance card. The Outward Bound staff overseeing your course will provide you with a briefing of expectations in the event of an emergency.
The insurance plan covers medical expenses, including hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, emergency outpatient care, labs and x-rays, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office visits and prescription drugs if in connection with a covered injury or illness. See policy summary below for a full list of benefits and limits.
The insurance plan also covers all costs related to services provided by or coordinated by On Call International as listed in the summary below.
The insurance plan provides benefits (through HDI Global Security SE, UK Branch) for the reasonable and customary charges incurred by a participant for a covered accident or sickness up to a $500,000 maximum per person per occurrence. Coverage will be provided for each benefit or service as listed in the summary below.
|
BENEFIT TABLE |
Covered / Not Covered |
Limits Per Insured Person |
|
Medical Evacuation and/or Repatriation |
Covered |
$500,000 |
|
Repatriation of Remains or Burial |
Covered |
$100,000 |
|
Security Evacuation |
Covered |
$100,000 |
|
Emergency Reunion |
Covered |
$20,000 when hospitalized for more than 3 days |
|
Emergency Assistance |
Included |
Included |
|
Medical Expenses and Hospitalisation |
Covered |
$500,000 |
|
Deductible: All Cause / Co-Insurance |
Covered |
0 / 100% |
|
Emergency Pain relieving Dental Treatment |
Covered |
100% of customary charges up to $3,000 for accidental injury and $500 for pain relief |
|
Prescribed Medicines by a doctor or specialist |
Covered |
Maximum of 60 days per subscription |
|
Prescription Drugs |
Covered |
100% of covered expense up to max limit |
|
Maternity |
Covered |
Serious Complications up to 26 weeks of pregnancy |
|
Outpatient treatment by a doctor or specialist |
Covered |
100 % of Customary Charges |
|
Treatment by physiotherapists and chiropractors as prescribed by an authorized physician |
Covered |
100% of customary charges if in connection with covered injury/illness |
|
Pre-existing condition Clause |
Covered |
Up to a maximum of $50,000 per lifetime |
|
Ambulance transportation |
Covered |
100% of customary charges if in connection with covered injury/illness |
|
Mental Health Disorder |
Covered |
Treated as any medical condition |
|
Personal Accident Accidental death, loss of sight, loss of limb(s), permanent total disablement |
Covered |
$25,000, no aggregate |
|
Personal Liability Physical injury and property damage |
Covered |
$100,000 |
|
Emergency Bail Bond |
Covered |
$1,500 |
|
Catastrophe Coverage |
Covered |
100% of customary costs up to $1,000 |
|
Search and Rescue |
Covered |
100% of customary costs up to $10,000 |
|
Loss of Personal Belongings |
Covered |
Up to $1,000, Max $100 per article |
|
Loss of checked in Luggage |
Covered |
$250 |
|
Luggage Delay |
Covered |
$200 |
|
Lost Documents, Equipment or Money |
Covered |
$200 |
|
Trip Interruption |
Covered |
$10,000 per person per occurrence |
|
Travel Delay |
Covered |
$100 a day; Max 5 days |
|
Extensions: |
|
|
|
Bereavement Reunion |
Covered |
$5,000 |
|
Return Home due to Felonious Assault |
Covered |
$10,000 |
|
Emergency Reunion due to Felonious Assault |
Covered |
$5,000 |
|
Pre-Trip Cancellation |
Covered |
$10,000 |
|
Chaperone Replacement |
Not Covered |
$2,500 |
|
Return of Dependent Children |
Covered |
$5,000 |
|
Hazardous Activities |
Covered |
For all Outward Bound sponsored activities |
|
Adventure Activities and Sports |
Covered |
For all Outward Bound sponsored activities |
|
Winter Sports |
Covered |
For all Outward Bound sponsored activities |
On Call International
Call collect from anywhere in the world:
+1 603-952-2669
Call toll free from US or Canada
1-844-884-1210
No, you will not receive a separate insurance ID card. On Call International will simply confirm eligibility through Outward Bound after a claim is received.
When outside of the US, you, or Outward Bound on your behalf, may be asked to pay for medical care first and then need to seek reimbursement. If Outward Bound has paid on your behalf, they will submit bills directly to the Claims Administrator. If you have paid for covered services directly, you must submit the claim directly to On Call International. An On Call claim form must be completed in order to receive reimbursement for medical expenses. Please note, All Inpatient Hospital treatments or care, Surgery or Surgical Procedure, computerized tomography (CAT Scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Emergency Medical Evacuations and Repatriations, Repatriation of Remains and Burial, Emergency Reunions and Trip Interruption must be pre-authorized by On Call International and these are not reimburseable benefits.
If the treatment you received was a result of an accident, you might receive a letter asking you for information about the accident, e.g., if it was the result of a car accident, from playing sports, etc. Your claim cannot be processed without this information, so please respond to the letter promptly.