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.
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
Unaccompanied Minor Service is often available and sometimes required when you purchase a plane ticket for a child traveling without an adult. Each airline has its own age restrictions and policies. You will need to be in touch with the airline directly to learn more about their policies and to determine if you are required to enroll your child in their Unaccompanied Minor Service. If your child is 14 or younger and traveling without an adult companion, you may be required to purchase this additional service. If your child is 15 or older, most airlines will not require you to use this service, but you can sometimes still elect to purchase this additional service if you have any concerns about your child traveling alone.
Unaccompanied Minor service does cost an additional fee. Please be sure to complete payment for both your child's arrival and departure flights. You will be required to provide the airline with additional information about the representative of our school who will pick the child up upon arrival. Please contact your Outward Bound course advisor to receive this information.
Please note that if you have neither paid an additional fee nor been required to provide the airline with our representative information, then your child is not flying as an unaccompanied minor and an Outward Bound staff will meet them in the baggage claim area.
IMPORTANT: Parents, if you purchase the Unaccompanied Minor Service, please contact your course advisor to receive the required additional information about the OB representative picking up your teen. Your course advisor needs to know your teen is arriving as a registered unaccompanied minor with the airline.
Important Note for Arrival: Students flying as unaccompanied minors are required to have someone at the arrival airport to pick them up. Because of this, students flying as unaccompanied minors cannot arrive the day prior to the course-start unless you have a family member or friend who is able to meet them and pick them up. Outward Bound staff will not be at the airport to receive students until the course-start date.
Important Notes for Departure: Parents/Guardians, you must check in your child for their return flight the night before their departure to return home. You must pre-pay their baggage fee. This is very important. Please remember to check them in for their flight and pre-pay their baggage fee the day before they fly home.
Also note, students flying as unaccompanied minors are not allowed by the airline to take the last departure flight of the day. Please ensure that your child is not on the last departure of the day or they will not be allowed to leave our company and board the plane.
COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR STUDENT ON ARRIVAL DAY – It’s a good idea to send a phone with your student 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 student on departure day.
Please remind your student 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 student doesn’t arrive as scheduled, we will contact you right away. Otherwise, no news is good news! Your student’s course director will accompany their 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.