The NOLS course is an amazing experience for any youth. However, you are encouraged to sign up for trip cancellation insurance (since 2017) at a high cost. Be aware & read the form completely, because this is a group policy. There is no beneficiary assigned if you/child get/s killed. All you get is a refund of your tuition should something interfere with your trip... if you are killed, you will be refunded for the trip! This group policy is purchased by NOLS and resold by NOLS to the attendees. If you contact NOLS about the insurance policy, they will refer you to the insurance company on the generic form. This number and the company name have changed since issuance so you will need to track down the actual name and accurate phone number. NOLS representatives have never responded to my call or email. If you choose to go on one of these expeditions, consider purchasing your own from Nomad or some other, more extensive coverage, travel insurance that covers medical, etc. In my opinion, for the monies spent, I could have forgone the potential refund from NOLS trip cancellation insurance and purchased a very good, broad based policy by a company with less out-of-pocket and more return as my son was injured on the trip and there was no coverage because he was not evacuated but will need extensive medical testing and care afterwards. None of NOLS policy covers that expense. DO YOUR HOMEWORK prior to purchasing this insurance to see if you can get a broader coverage policy elsewhere...