Timely feedback and formal evaluations are part of how NOLS develops leaders. Dirty Devil Wilderness, Utah Photo: Fredrik Norrsell

This 89-day semester is jam-packed with an entire curriculum dedicated to the field of outdoor education. You’ll be with other professionals and students ages 21 and over who want to learn outdoor skills and leadership as they further develop their teaching skills. This is your chance to translate your theoretical knowledge about outdoor education into reality.

The NOLS Semester for Outdoor Educators means more time teaching and more focus on topics like group management as well as field and in-town administrative practices. By the end of your semester, you’ll be a competent backcountry expeditioner, the first step to being ready to work for outdoor educational programs across the country.

Winter travel can be daunting, but with the help of your instructors it’s a cinch. Wind River Range, Wyoming Photo: Craig Muderlak

Winter
After a Level I Avalanche seminar and time spent practicing your telemark turns at a local ski area, you’ll leave from NOLS’ Three Peaks Ranch for the winter wonderland of the mountains. Your backcountry skiing ability will progress as you learn practical winter expedition skills like building snow shelters, understanding snow science, and assessing snow and avalanche conditions.

Canyon
Travel through the red rock canyons of southern Utah for a month as you study and teach natural history, desert ecology, and land-use policies.

Rock Climbing  
You’ll practice teaching basic skills such as bouldering, belaying, and knots while honing your proficiency in more advanced topics such as anchor construction, direct aid, and belay escapes.

Backpacking (fall only) 
An introduction to camping and hiking in the Wind River Range will kick off the Outdoor Educator Semester in the fall before heading to our Three Peaks Ranch for your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course.

Canoe (spring only)
This multi-day expedition through Utah’s scenic river canyons will introduce you to the fun and excitement of whitewater in a canoe. You’ll learn how to read the water, scout rapids, and execute eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries, and basic rescue techniques.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) 
Presented by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, this 80-hour section prepares outdoor professionals to make make sound first aid and evacuation decisions in remote settings.

Certifications
In addition to the WFR and Level I Avalanche, you will also earn your Leave No Trace Master certification.

Outdoor Educator Semester Duration: 89 days Financial Aid Options: NOLS Scholarships Federal Financial Aid Minimum Age: 21, except for those enrolled in a university outdoor education program. Tuition: Spring: $13,505 Fall: $13,655 Dates: Spring February 14-May 13, 2013 WFR, Winter (Ski), Canoe, Canyon, Climbing, Leave No Trace Master’s Fall September 20-December 17, 2013 Backpacking, WFR, Climbing, Canyon, Winter (Ski), Leave No Trace Master’s College Credit: (Optional) 19 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Biology 2 Hours Environmental Studies 4 Hours Leadership Techniques 4 Hours Skills Practicum 2 Hours Risk Management 2 Hours Outdoor Educator 3 Hours WFR Course start/end: Lander, Wyoming Equipment Deposit: $700 Fly in/out: Riverton, Wyoming Additional Information: Spring Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf) Fall Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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