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NOLS Alumni Travel FAQ

We've partnered with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic to offer  a new type of alumni service— it's called "NOLS Alumni Travel" and it brings a loose group of NOLS grads, friends and families together on adventures where NOLS doesn't operate and are difficult to organize on your own. Below are some frequently asked questions.

1) What is NOLS Alumni Travel?

NOLS Adventure Travel involves traveling with people sharing similar interests and a common background at NOLS— as students, parents or friends. NOLS teams with the renowned Linblad Expeditions to offer special experiences which would be difficult for you to arrange on your own.

2) Will everyone on my NOLS Alumni Travel trip be NOLS alumni?

No. We organize loose groups of grads who participate in the larger Lindblad expeditions. The cadre of NOLS participants may be 10% or less of the passenger total. You need not be a NOLS or WMI course graduate to attend a NOLS Adventure Travel trip. Some Adventure Travel trips may have an accompanying NOLS instructor to provide educational expertise, a connection to the school and some organizational aid.

3) What’s the benefit of a NOLS Alumni Travel trip?

We organize NOLS Adventure Travel trips as a service to our alumni—providing high quality group travel experiences to locations where NOLS does not operate. Our partner, Lindblad Expeditions, provides us access to trips that often have extra incentives like included airfare or land-based lodging. Additionally, a portion of your paid Lindblad tuition comes back to NOLS— helping the school advance our mission.

4) There are many Lindblad adventures, which ones are specifically “NOLS Alumni Travel”?

We work with Lindblad to identify particular voyages that NOLS grads have told us are interesting and that compliment NOLS’ extensive catalog of standard expeditions and alumni trips. At this time, only the October 31, 2008 Antarctic voyage and the February 29, 2008 Galapagos voyage are part of our Alumni Travel Service— the trips with other attending alumni and a portion of tuition supporting NOLS’ mission.

5) Is this a NOLS course or expedition?

No. NOLS Alumni Travel trips are special opportunities for NOLS alumni to participate in partner organization expeditions. All aspects of the trip are the responsibility of our partner organization, Lindblad Expeditions. Participating in a NOLS Alumni Travel trip means you’re likely to be out with a few like-minded NOLS grads, you’ll have an amazing adventure, and a portion of your paid participation comes back to NOLS— helping advance our educational mission.

6) How do I enroll on a NOLS Alumni Travel Trip?

Lindblad Expeditions provides all enrollment, payment, reservation, screening, and pre-trip information functions. Contact them by clicking on the link associated with the NOLS Alumni Travel Trip that interests you. Of course, you can call Lindblad too: 800.397.334.8466.

7) Is NOLS Alumni Travel for solo travelers?

Our travel partners provide a limited number of single rooms. Those requesting a single room may be charged a supplemental fee— check with Lindblad.

8) What are the ages of Lindblad trip participants?

The ages of most of the passengers range from 10 – 90. Families often travel together. Lindblad often offers discounts for participants under age 18.

9) What is included in the price of the trip?

Specific information on included travel, lodging, equipment, instruction and other parts of the trip is available from Lindblad Expeditions or their web site.

10) I have specific questions about the trip, who do I contact?

Lindblad Expeditions are the go-to source for all trip and travel infomation. See contact links below.

11) Physically Challenged Travelers.

The physical challenge varies by trip. Please check with your physician and yoru Lindblad reservation contact about the appropriateness of your trip and its fit with your physical abilities.

12) Refund and Cancellation Policies.

Each trip has it’s own cancellation and refund policies. You should consult the individual trip brochure and Lindblad Expeditions for the specifics of your particular trip.

13) Trip Cancellation and Medical Insurance Coverage.

All confirmed passengers receive travel insurance information from Linblad Expeditions. The insurance is optional but it may be worth the investment, especially if you find you have to cancel the trip unexpectedly. Also, it is a good idea to check with your medical insurance company to determine whether you are covered outside the US. We strongly recommend that you look into insurance carefully.

14) Participant Responsibility.

The National Outdoor Leadership School (“NOLS”) and its Alumni Relations Department  act only as pass-through communicators for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and tour operation. NOLS accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the tour participant. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The tour participant agrees on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.

15) How to Reserve or request a Trip Brochure

To Reserve: Please see the Lindblad website (www.expeditions.com), or call 800.397.334.8466.

To Request a Brochure: Antarctic Voyage 10/31-11/4/2008: DVD’s, downloadable documents, and hard copy brochures are available from Lindblad Expeditions. Or call 888.773.9007.

Galapagos Islands 2/29-3/9/2008: DVD’s, downloadable documents, and hard copy brochures are available from Lindblad Expeditions. Or call 888.773.9007.

If you have difficulty connecting with Lindblad, please contact us at NOLS (alumni@nols.edu, or 800.332.4280).