Arrival Time and Location

Location: El Paso International Airport

Time: No later than 1:00 PM

We have planned this arrival time to minimize time spent in the El Paso airport. Students will meet our staff and depart as soon as possible.

You will need to meet outside the airport near the Texas flag. When you walk outside you will see our staff with Outward Bound Shirts on. If you don't see them, wait near the door. They will walk into the airport periodically to check for students. 

Once all students arrive they will drive the 5 hours to our basecamp in vans. 

If you experience delays or cancellations on arrival day, please contact our Travel Coordinator at (432) 652-6003

With so many people traveling on the same day, we anticipate some hiccups. If your arrival is delayed, don’t worry too much. Contact our Travel Coordinator and we will do our best to coordinate an alternative plan with you.

Participants may travel to/from the course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is encouraged. We want those choosing to fly to be aware of our expectations surrounding commercial travel:

• If a student tests positive on their course, someone must arrive at our basecamp to drive the student away. 

• Due to the nature of COVID-19, we highly recommend against purchasing any non-refundable travel. Make sure you verify cancellation or change fees with the airline before you purchase your ticket. In the event that your course changes due to COVID19 the Voyageur Outward Bound School is not responsible for any non-refundable travel please plan accordingly. 

• In the event that the El Paso airport or another airport in route to their final destination shuts down or airlines shut down, students must have an alternative plan for accommodations and/or travel at that point in time. We will ask you to submit a complete backup plan prior to your course start. 

When booking your flight, and while you travel, we expect you to do the following:

• Minimize layovers and time of layovers
• Verify that layover airports are requiring masks
• Avoid eating and drinking in restaurants
• Continue to practice strict physical distance
• Wash and sanitize your hands often
• Bring wipes to wipe down surfaces around your seat on the plane

If you are driving to your course start, check out this fun video our staff made for ways to travel safely: Traveling to your Course

CLOTHING/DRESS ON COURSE START DAY (DAY 1) – Please arrive at the meeting place already dressed in your expedition clothes. Your boots or tennis shoes, wool socks, quick-dry pants, underwear, t-shirt and warmer long-sleeved layer (accessible) work best on the first day. Please see the provided packing list for further information about appropriate luggage, clothing, and layering principles.

Students will be transported back to the El Paso International Airport at the end of their course.  If you are picking up your student you may meet them there between 12:00 and 1:00 PM. 

If you are choosing to book a flight home at the end of the course, please do not book any flights departing before 1:00 PM from the El Paso International Airport.

Participants may travel from course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is encouraged. We want those choosing to fly to be aware of our expectations surrounding commercial travel: 

• If a student tests positive on their course, someone must arrive at our basecamp to drive the student away.  In cases where the student has driven themselves, if they are able they may self-transport away from the basecamp.

• Outward Bound is unable to support any COVID-19 testing that may be required by an airline. We recommend you verify the procedures and policies surrounding this with airlines directly and also verify with your state health guidelines that a test is not required to re-enter the state. If a test is required, you will need to make arrangements for testing after the course is completed and will need to make a plan for accommodations in El Paso while you wait for results.

• Due to the nature of COVID-19, we highly recommend against purchasing any non-refundable travel. In the event that your course changes due to COVID19 the Voyageur Outward Bound School is not responsible for any non-refundable travel please plan accordingly.

• In the event that the El Paso airport or another airport en route to their final destination shuts down or airlines shut down, students must be picked up on their course end date or have an alternative plan for accommodations and/or travel at that point in time.

COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR TEEN ON ARRIVAL DAY – It’s a good idea to send a phone with your teen for use during travel days (don’t forget to include a charge cord). All electronics are stored in a secure location during the expedition and will be returned to your teen on departure day.

Please remind your teen to call/text you when they’ve arrived and met the Outward Bound representative. There will be time for this communication. If there are any problems or your teen doesn’t arrive as scheduled, we will contact you right away. Otherwise, no news is good news! Your teen’s course director will accompany your teen’s group to the start of their wilderness expedition and will contact you within 2-3 days to introduce themselves and share an update.

MEALS AND MONEY ON ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE DAYS - Please bring a little cash for meals during your travel days.  Outward Bound will provide dinner on the first day, breakfast on the last day, and some snacks on both of these days.  There are minimal food options once you exit the security gate at the airport so plan to get something before you arrive or before you exit security. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout travel days!

MEDICATIONS – If you take a prescription medication, please ensure that you have enough to complete the entire course, and bring a back-up set if possible. If you use an inhaler or carry an Epi-pen, please bring 2 sets.

Remember to pack your medications and other important items (contacts, glasses, travel documents, money) in your carry-on luggage in case your checked bag is delayed or lost.

CLOTHING/DRESS ON COURSE START DAY (DAY 1) – Please arrive at the meeting place already dressed in your expedition clothes. Your boots or tennis shoes, wool socks, quick-dry pants, underwear, t-shirt and warmer long-sleeved layer (accessible) work best on the first day. Please see the provided packing list for further information about appropriate luggage, clothing and layering principles.

Radisson Hotel El Paso Airport
Phone: (915) 772-3333
Reservations: (800) 333-3333

Holiday Inn El Paso Airport
Phone: 915-772- 4008
Reservations: (888) 465-4329