FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT MAKES OUTWARD BOUND INDIA HIMALAYA DIFFERENT FROM SUMMER CAMPS AND OTHER ADVENTURE PROGRAMS?
Outward Bound India Himalaya is not only an outdoor adventure. It is a facilitated learning and self development program that seeks to help participants discover more about their own strengths and abilities. To learn to share and work in teams. To aspire to and understand leadership roles. To learn compassion and understanding of various habitats. To become environmental stewards. To expand yourself to where you never imagined possible.
WHY GO INTO THE WILDERNESS OR TO NEW PLACES IN THE CITY TO LEARN ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
In addition to providing a beautiful setting, wild and natural places offer a unique learning environment. This is especially important for today’s youth who often have had limited exposure to the outdoors or to corporate and professional teams who spend most of their days inside. Natural and unfamiliar spaces present participants with inherent challenges and logical natural consequences. While learning to face these challenges as individuals and as groups, participants develop the skills they need to step into leadership roles and more effectively face challenges in their daily lives.
MY CHILD IS NOT A STRONG SWIMMER, WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM ON THE RIVER?
All instructors are trained in river rescue, so your child's safety is cared for. We use a grade one PFD (personal floatation device), worn at all times on the river, which is the maximum lift of a life-jacket designed for open water. Swimming is not a necessity, however, non swimmers will not be able to participate in long expedition trips and may be asked to walk around certain rapids.
IF MY DAUGHTER HAS HER PERIOD, CAN SHE STILL PARTICIPATE FULLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE WATER ACTIVITIES?
There are many opportunities for privacy during the course. As we are near water, there are plenty of opportunities for the girls to wash and maintain hygiene standards. You daughter should carry her own supply of sanitary requirements.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO WEAR HIKING BOOTS?
A sturdy shoe can be just as good for the short programmes, however hiking boots are good for ankle support and may prevent the incidence of rolled ankles. They are more waterproof than your average sneaker so will be more durable in the rough. Wet sneakers can often cause blisters and do not provide adequate support. Please note, however, that Hiking boots must be well worn in, or they are more trouble than they are worth, above all make sure they are comfortable. The main features to look for in footwear are: comfort, durability, sturdiness, a good tread and ideally waterproof to some extent. Socks are also a very important consideration.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO GET A MESSAGE TO MY CHILD ON COURSE?
You can phone our Base Camp and the message can be relayed to the instructor. This is only for emergency situations, as we would like to maintain the 'place apart' experience.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS AN INJURY ON COURSE?
All instructors are medically trained with a nationally accredited Wilderness First Aid qualification. All trips carry a complete first aid kit. All parents will be notified if there are any serious injuries during the course and if further medical treatment is required the child may need to rest at base camp or be taken to the nearest doctor/hospital if required.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON INJURY?
Blisters, pre-existing ankle and knee injuries.
WHAT LEVEL OF FITNESS IS REQUIRED OF MY CHILD?
We recommend an average level of fitness. The level of physical challenge is always appropriate to the group. The group always stay together and can only travel at the pace of the slowest member.
MY CHILD IS A VEGETARIAN, ARE THEY CATERED FOR?
YES! Please use the medical form to inform us of any dietary requirements. It is difficult to cater for individual needs if we are informed too late, so make sure early notice is given. If your child has a food allergy or specific food allergy eg. Gluten free, you may be required to supply your own supplement food in this case.
MY CHILD HAS NEVER BEEN AWAY FROM HOME BEFORE, IS THIS A PROBLEM?
It may be difficult for your child initially, however they are with friends and staff who will be there for support. Instructors often face this issue and know how to deal with it.
DO THEY HAVE SHOWERS? HOW DO THEY WASH?
There are no showers, however bucket showers will be available depending on time restraints and weather. Water and hand sanatizer is always available.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION?
All prescription medications must be approved by Outward Bound India- Himalaya prior to the course start. On courses for 12-18 year olds, instructors oversee medication use. Please bring your prescription medications in the original containers. Students who would suffer severe consequences if they were to miss a dose of medication due to damage or loss should bring back-up doses of that medication.
CAN I WEAR CONTACTS ON COURSE?
Either glasses or contact lenses are acceptable on course. Sterile lens care is difficult on the trail, and because of this, their use is not encouraged. In winter and in desert terrain contact use can be especially challenging. Whether you wear contacts or glasses, you must bring an extra pair. Daily disposable contacts can be a good option and avoids dirt and dust buildup that can cause damage to the eye.
AM I ALLOWED TO BRING GADGETS ON COURSE?
You are more than welcome to travel to and from your course with gadgets such as cell phones, iPods, tablets and laptops. Once you arrive we will ask you to leave it all in your luggage, as you are not allowed to take it on your course. Cameras are welcome on course. You might want to consider purchasing a waterproof bag or box for your camera, film, batteries and memory cards. A zip lock bag works well too. We also suggest disposable waterproof cameras.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BELONGINGS WHILE I AM ON COURSE?
At the beginning of course, instructors will work individually with students to help them decide what should go into their Outward Bound pack and what should stay in the luggage. Tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs are strictly not permitted. Valuables such as plane tickets, passports, iPods, cell phones, computers, wallets etc. should be left in luggage. Please leave jewelry at home. Any luggage that stays behind will be secured in a locked, dry and safe location. On longer courses that have re-supplies, there may often be an opportunity to pre pack dry clean clothes in a re-supply barrel that will make it out to the students at various stages of the course. Not all courses have re-supplies.
ARE OUTWARD BOUND COURSES SAFE?
As part of an ongoing effort to monitor and improve safety, Outward Bound programs are regularly reviewed and audited by both internal and external teams in order to proactively identify and assess potential hazards as well as areas of commendation. Outward Bound has been a leader in wilderness safety and risk management for 50 years and is a co-sponsor of the annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC). This national conference brings together outdoor industry leaders to learn and collaborate with each other to advance safety and risk management in the outdoor education and wilderness adventure community.
Since 1962 over 650,000 students have participated in Outward Bound programs in cities, mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans. Over the years, and throughout a wide variety of activities, Outward Bound has maintained an excellent safety record.
Outward Bound India Himalaya is not only an outdoor adventure. It is a facilitated learning and self development program that seeks to help participants discover more about their own strengths and abilities. To learn to share and work in teams. To aspire to and understand leadership roles. To learn compassion and understanding of various habitats. To become environmental stewards. To expand yourself to where you never imagined possible.
WHY GO INTO THE WILDERNESS OR TO NEW PLACES IN THE CITY TO LEARN ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
In addition to providing a beautiful setting, wild and natural places offer a unique learning environment. This is especially important for today’s youth who often have had limited exposure to the outdoors or to corporate and professional teams who spend most of their days inside. Natural and unfamiliar spaces present participants with inherent challenges and logical natural consequences. While learning to face these challenges as individuals and as groups, participants develop the skills they need to step into leadership roles and more effectively face challenges in their daily lives.
MY CHILD IS NOT A STRONG SWIMMER, WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM ON THE RIVER?
All instructors are trained in river rescue, so your child's safety is cared for. We use a grade one PFD (personal floatation device), worn at all times on the river, which is the maximum lift of a life-jacket designed for open water. Swimming is not a necessity, however, non swimmers will not be able to participate in long expedition trips and may be asked to walk around certain rapids.
IF MY DAUGHTER HAS HER PERIOD, CAN SHE STILL PARTICIPATE FULLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE WATER ACTIVITIES?
There are many opportunities for privacy during the course. As we are near water, there are plenty of opportunities for the girls to wash and maintain hygiene standards. You daughter should carry her own supply of sanitary requirements.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO WEAR HIKING BOOTS?
A sturdy shoe can be just as good for the short programmes, however hiking boots are good for ankle support and may prevent the incidence of rolled ankles. They are more waterproof than your average sneaker so will be more durable in the rough. Wet sneakers can often cause blisters and do not provide adequate support. Please note, however, that Hiking boots must be well worn in, or they are more trouble than they are worth, above all make sure they are comfortable. The main features to look for in footwear are: comfort, durability, sturdiness, a good tread and ideally waterproof to some extent. Socks are also a very important consideration.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO GET A MESSAGE TO MY CHILD ON COURSE?
You can phone our Base Camp and the message can be relayed to the instructor. This is only for emergency situations, as we would like to maintain the 'place apart' experience.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS AN INJURY ON COURSE?
All instructors are medically trained with a nationally accredited Wilderness First Aid qualification. All trips carry a complete first aid kit. All parents will be notified if there are any serious injuries during the course and if further medical treatment is required the child may need to rest at base camp or be taken to the nearest doctor/hospital if required.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON INJURY?
Blisters, pre-existing ankle and knee injuries.
WHAT LEVEL OF FITNESS IS REQUIRED OF MY CHILD?
We recommend an average level of fitness. The level of physical challenge is always appropriate to the group. The group always stay together and can only travel at the pace of the slowest member.
MY CHILD IS A VEGETARIAN, ARE THEY CATERED FOR?
YES! Please use the medical form to inform us of any dietary requirements. It is difficult to cater for individual needs if we are informed too late, so make sure early notice is given. If your child has a food allergy or specific food allergy eg. Gluten free, you may be required to supply your own supplement food in this case.
MY CHILD HAS NEVER BEEN AWAY FROM HOME BEFORE, IS THIS A PROBLEM?
It may be difficult for your child initially, however they are with friends and staff who will be there for support. Instructors often face this issue and know how to deal with it.
DO THEY HAVE SHOWERS? HOW DO THEY WASH?
There are no showers, however bucket showers will be available depending on time restraints and weather. Water and hand sanatizer is always available.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION?
All prescription medications must be approved by Outward Bound India- Himalaya prior to the course start. On courses for 12-18 year olds, instructors oversee medication use. Please bring your prescription medications in the original containers. Students who would suffer severe consequences if they were to miss a dose of medication due to damage or loss should bring back-up doses of that medication.
CAN I WEAR CONTACTS ON COURSE?
Either glasses or contact lenses are acceptable on course. Sterile lens care is difficult on the trail, and because of this, their use is not encouraged. In winter and in desert terrain contact use can be especially challenging. Whether you wear contacts or glasses, you must bring an extra pair. Daily disposable contacts can be a good option and avoids dirt and dust buildup that can cause damage to the eye.
AM I ALLOWED TO BRING GADGETS ON COURSE?
You are more than welcome to travel to and from your course with gadgets such as cell phones, iPods, tablets and laptops. Once you arrive we will ask you to leave it all in your luggage, as you are not allowed to take it on your course. Cameras are welcome on course. You might want to consider purchasing a waterproof bag or box for your camera, film, batteries and memory cards. A zip lock bag works well too. We also suggest disposable waterproof cameras.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BELONGINGS WHILE I AM ON COURSE?
At the beginning of course, instructors will work individually with students to help them decide what should go into their Outward Bound pack and what should stay in the luggage. Tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs are strictly not permitted. Valuables such as plane tickets, passports, iPods, cell phones, computers, wallets etc. should be left in luggage. Please leave jewelry at home. Any luggage that stays behind will be secured in a locked, dry and safe location. On longer courses that have re-supplies, there may often be an opportunity to pre pack dry clean clothes in a re-supply barrel that will make it out to the students at various stages of the course. Not all courses have re-supplies.
ARE OUTWARD BOUND COURSES SAFE?
As part of an ongoing effort to monitor and improve safety, Outward Bound programs are regularly reviewed and audited by both internal and external teams in order to proactively identify and assess potential hazards as well as areas of commendation. Outward Bound has been a leader in wilderness safety and risk management for 50 years and is a co-sponsor of the annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC). This national conference brings together outdoor industry leaders to learn and collaborate with each other to advance safety and risk management in the outdoor education and wilderness adventure community.
Since 1962 over 650,000 students have participated in Outward Bound programs in cities, mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans. Over the years, and throughout a wide variety of activities, Outward Bound has maintained an excellent safety record.