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Alumni Trips: Lifelong Learning for Grads, Friends and their Families

Rations on a NOLS alumni ski trip in the Tetons.

NOLS rations are the base of alumni trips' food—then we spiff it up.

Photo: Brad Christensen

Are you interested in getting back into the wilderness with NOLS, but you're faced with a calendar too crammed for a long expedition?

Usually one week in length, alumni trips are specifically designed for NOLS graduates and their friends and families. These trips allow busy grads to reconnect with the school, enjoy an outdoor vacation, and have the chance to introduce loved ones to the NOLS experience.

Instruction on alumni trips is informal and the atmosphere relaxed. We review and practice Leave No Trace camping skills, teach technical skills and touch on a host of other NOLS information—depending on interest. We can also create a custom trip if you and your cohorts have a hankering for something eclectic, yet NOLS-flavored. Want to see more ideas? Check out some past trips in the Alumni Trips Photo Album below.

Friends and Family are welcome to join you on all NOLS Alumni trips!

Piloting a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands.


"Ahoy, Matey!"
Photo: Bill White

Alumni Sailing

in the British Virgin Islands

Dates: May 17-24, 2008

Price: $1,875

The British Virgin Islands are well known as a friendly, sailing mecca. No matter what your sailing backround is, BVI's predictable winds allow you to polish and improve your techniques. Participants receive International Sail and Power Academy (ISPA) training and possible Competent Crew or Day Skipper certification.

This popular trip starts and ends in Tortola.

 

"...a perfect balance of learning and playing... "

—Monnie B. (thats Monnie standing aft)

Family Rafting on Idaho's Salmon River


Let the river float your gear.
Photo: Steven Gewirz

Family Rafting on Idaho's Salmon River

Dates: June 25-29, 2008

Price: $1,000

Want to improve your kids' memories? Our 86-mile Salmon River rafting trip through Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness provides a chance to build real memories with your family.

 

Family Camping in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains


Remember your first NOLS course? Here's your chance to come back to the mountains—with friends and family.
Photo: Rich Brame

Family Camping in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains

Date: July 21-26, 2008

Price: $1,250

The Wind Rivers are an outstanding place to introduce family to camping, fly fishing, hiking and the wonders of llamas as pack animals.

 

"It was great to return to the Winds' alpine sights, smells and environment with my sons."

— Mark F., 1981 NOLS Wilderness Course grad and '07 alumni trip participant.

Climbing Wyoming's Gannett Peak


Gannett Peak's glaciers, rock and moraines make an excellent mountaineering classroom.
Photo: Mary Furman

Gannett Peak Climb

Date: July 28-August 7, 2008

Price: $2,200

From the Lander side of the Wind Rivers, we'll hike into the mountain's granite core, practice glacier and climbing skills, attempt Wyoming's tallest peak and traverse out to the west side. Horses will lighten the loads by carrying much of the climbing gear on the way into the mountains.

Fly fishing with NOLS


Rainbow, where art thou?
Photo: Rich Brame

Alaska Fly Fishing & Rafting

Date: August 3-9, 2008

Price: $1,985

We'll fly northwest from Anchorage into Lake Creek for outstanding grayling, aalmon and rainbow trout fishing. Rafts carry people and gear through this stunning Alaskan landscape.

No matter what your fly-fishing background, this trip offers fantastic options, but it's not a guided trip—it's a short expedition where everyone participates in the learning.

To find out more, email alumni@nols.edu and stay tuned to this page for more details. In the meantime, isn't it time to check on flights to Anchorage?

Tomahawk Lake in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains


Wyoming's "last best place."
Photo: Rick Riccardi

Volunteer trail repair in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains


Busy hands are happy hands. Photo: Jen Lamb

Wind River Service Trip

Date: August 4 -10, 2008

Price: $800

NOLS connects people to the land in some of the most amazing wild places on the globe. This trip is a chance to give back to our wildlands—we'll spend a good piece of this seven-day trip doing service work in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains.

We'll build trails, rehab campsites, and even repair bridges all the while enjoying the camaraderie of other grads. We'll also work in some free time to get re-acquainted with the Winds, or a fly rod, or even a non-technical peak. Bring your work gloves and a camera.

Stay tuned for more information, or email us for an update.

Scouting rapids on Baffin Island's Soper River with NOLS.


Isn't it time you explored the Canadian Arctic?

Canoeing the Soper River on Canada's Baffin Island

Date: August 7-16, 2008

Price: $2,100

Isn't it time you explored the Canadian Arctic? Join us on Baffin Island's Soper River where canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, and becoming acquainted with Inuit culture are just a few of the highlights.

 

Hiking Italy's Dolomites


Limestone spires, extensive foot paths, and light packs—come esplore Italy's Dolomite region with NOLS. Photo: Rich Brame

Hiking Italy's Dolomites

We're offering an outstanding hut-to-hut ("rifugio") hiking trip in Italy's Dolomite region of the Alps. Enjoy stunning scenery, comfortable hut lodging, regional cuisine and a fantastic cultural experience.

Dates: September 12-19, 2008

Price: $2475

If you're interested in exploring this rugged region of northern Italy with a light pack and a small cadre of NOLS grads, click here for an application and more information.

Isn't there something missing in E_rope?

267 miles from Boston, but worlds apart. Photo: Doug Lowry

Maine Sea Kayaking

Date: September 21 - 27, 2008

Price: $1200

Fall colors. Dipping paddles. Rocky beaches. NOLS camaraderie. New outdoor skills.

Join us on this September sea kayaking adventure on Maine's famously beautiful coast. This trip gives paddlers of all backgrounds the chance to improve paddling, map reading and other skills with a group of outdoor-loving, adult adventurers. Grads— introduce your friends, family and colleagues to NOLS on this outstanding trip.

If you've got a week, we've got the educational trip to suit your interests.

Stay tuned for more information.

Antarctica Peninsula Voyage

Despite the photo, tuxedos are not required.
Photo: Lindblad Expeditions

Antarctica Peninsula Voyage

Date: October 31-November 14, 2008

Price: varies

Would you consider a 15-day sea journey to the "White Continent"?

We're organizing an alumni expedition with Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic. It'd be our first "NOLS Alumni Travel" trip—providing grads, friends and families access to some of the few places NOLS doesn't operate. A portion of the tuition comes back to NOLS—broadening the school's educational reach.

This trip happens around Halloween 2008, so dust off your penguin costume and drop us a note if an Arctic adventure with NOLS interests you.

Galapagos Islands Voyage

Don't just lay around basking in the sun, head to the Galapagos Islands instead. Photo: Lindblad Expedition

Galapagos Islands Voyage

Date: November 7 - 16, 2008

Price: varies

Would you like to see the wildlife on Ecuador's Galapagos Islands?

We're organizing an alumni expedition with Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic. It's one of our first "NOLS Alumni Travel" trips—providing grads, friends and families access to some of the few places NOLS doesn't operate. A portion of the tuition comes back to NOLS—broadening the school's educational reach.

This trip happens soon, so drop us a note if travel to the Galapagos interests you.

Stay tuned for more information on other alumni adventures...

Past Trips: Let us know what you've liked and what you would like to see offered again.

 

 

Hiking in Italy's Dolomites.

NOLS alumni trips mean light packs and jaw-dropping scenery like this shot of the Dolomites. Photo: Rich Brame

SEARCH NOLS  

Alumni Trip Finder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Design Your Alumni Trip

Click here to make suggestions about future alumni trip design, dates, content and locations. It's as anonymous as you want it to be, but this survey format exercise helps us understand the trip interests of our large and diverse alumni group.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

 

Casting with a fly rod.

Check out those loops!

Photo: Rich Brame

Paddling an oar raft with NOLS.

Alumni Rafting—it'll make you smile. Photo: Jim Mueller

   
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