Arrival Time and Location

Location: Duluth International Airport. 

VOBS staff will meet students in the baggage claim area. The Duluth airport is very small; our staff will be easy to find. 

Arrival Time: No later than 1:00 PM. (Please try to arrive before this time as we hope to depart from the airport by this time.)

 

• For drop-offs: Please plan to arrive between 10:30-11:30 AM.  This will help us check you in and avoid a rush right at 1:00 PM. If you plan to leave a car at the airport during drop-off or during your course, short and long-term parking are available in a secure pay lot.
• For flights: If you are unable to find a flight arriving in Duluth by 1:00 PM on your course start day, you will need to arrive the night before and stay in Duluth. Please see the Pre & Post Course Accommodations Tab for information about hotels in Duluth. If you arrive the night before, arrange to return to the airport between 10:30-11:30 AM on your course start day. 
• For shuttle service: Shuttle services are available between the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (MSP) and Duluth, which may be a good option for some travel plans. Services available include Landline Shuttle Services and Groome Transportation. Groome will pick you up at the MSP airport. Select your drop-off destination as the Duluth International Airport..

Additional Important Arrival Day Information:

• Recently, we have found that there are fewer flight options overall, and far fewer connecting flights into Duluth, MN. Many families have had a more positive and stress-free travel experience if they arrive the day before the course, spend the night in Duluth, and meet the group at the airport the next day. While not required, this can be a nice option to consider as you make your travel plans.
• Please eat lunch before meeting at the Airport. Also, plan to make any final phone calls before arriving at the airport. Expect to be at the airport until your whole group has arrived, at which time we will transport you an additional 2-3 hours to your course-start location.
• CLOTHING/DRESS ON ARRIVAL DAY – Please arrive at the meeting place already dressed in your expedition clothes. Boots or tennis shoes, wool socks, quick-dry pants, underwear, t-shirt, and an accessible warmer, long-sleeved layer work best on the first day. Please see the Packing List tab for further information about appropriate luggage, clothing and layering principles.

Travel Delays or Late Arrivals

If you experience delays or cancellations on arrival day, please contact our Travel Coordinator at: (218) 491-6799.

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.

 

 

Students will be transported back to Duluth, Minnesota at the end of their course. 

• For pick-ups, plan to meet your student at the Duluth International Airport at 11:00 AM.  
• For departures via flight, please do not book a flight departing before 11:00 AM from the Duluth International Airport. If you're having difficulty finding a departing flight after 11 AM, please speak with your course advisor and we'll work to accommodate your request.
• For departures via Groome, VOBS will transport you to the Holiday Station Burger King drop-off location (210 South 27th Avenue West, Duluth, MN 55806) after stopping at the Duluth Airport.
• For other departure options, please schedule transport from the Duluth Airport to your destination.

• IMPORTANT NOTE:  if a student tests positive for COVID-19 on their course, an alternate travel plan will need to be made.

If you have any questions, please speak with your Course Advisor.

 

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 ARRIVAL DAY – Please arrive at the meeting place dressed in warm layers suitable to below zero temperatures. Boots or tennis shoes, wool socks, long-underwear, and comfortable/warm outer layers work best on the first day. Please see the provided packing list for further information about appropriate luggage, clothing and layering principles.

If you are unable to arrive by 1:00 PM on the first day of the course, we advise that you arrive a day early. There are multiple hotel options in Duluth near the airport. Hotels may or may not offer a shuttle to the airport. If not, students can take an Uber between the airport and the hotel. 

Days Inn and Suites. Can accommodate 18+ students, no minors. Students must have credit card in hand when they arrive to complete the payment. 

909 Cottonwood Ave. Duluth, MN

218-727-3110 - Call this direct line to make reservations. If you are staying between November and May they will offer a special VOBS rate. 

 

AmericInn by Wyndam Duluth. Can accommodate minors with parents' authorization. 

901 Joshua Ave. Duluth, MN

218-723-8607 - Call to make reservations. A VOBS discount may be available depending on the time of year. 

 

If you are over 21 years old there are many other hotels near the Duluth airport that are available to you.