Teaching skills is the very heart of NOLS. Students who come to the school know they are going to learn—really learn—the skills they want.

Providing the instruction, tools and freedom to practice and use what you learn are the roots of our education. After a NOLS course, you will have the skills to be a competent, responsible wilderness traveler and leader long after your course is over.

On your course you'll learn:

Leadership and Teamwork Photo: Tony Jewell “Expedition Behavior,” including tolerance for adversity, hard work, communication, vision and action Judgment and decision making Student expeditions Team building Problem solving Self-confidence Motivating others Competence Self-awareness

Outdoor Skills Photo: Traverse Zink Route-finding and navigation, including map and compass use Campsite selection Preparing nutritious meals using a camp stove and fire Sanitation and waste disposal Ration planning Equipment care and selection Staying warm and dry Emergency procedures and rescue techniques Wilderness injury prevention and treatment Hazard evaluation

Environmental Studies Photo: Erik Schmidt   Leave No Trace camping and resource protection Field natural history: animal and plant identification, astronomy, weather, geology and snow science Human history Understanding of pertinent regional environmental issues Function, organization and local concerns of state and federal land management agencies Wilderness ethics and practices for everyday life

In addition to…