NOLS Leadership Courses for The US Naval Academy (USNA)

NOLS Leadership Expeditions for the U.S. Naval Academy are field-based, leadership practicums.

Choose a course:

• Wyoming Leadership Expedition
• Alaska Mountaineering Expedition
• Alaska Sea Kayak Expedition
• Yukon Wilderness River Expedition
• Pacific Northwest Expedition

Naval Academy Leadership Expedition in Wyoming

These are perfect mountains for learning skills from off-trail travel to leadership. Photo: Juan Queirolo

These expeditions travel through Wyoming’s Wind River Range—glacier-carved mountains renowned for their sheer granite walls and rugged alpine beauty. For nearly a month you'll backpack and move camp almost daily, stopping at prime locations to fish, ascend a 13,000-foot peak, or rock climb. Once you have mastered basic wilderness skills, you’ll move into advanced curriculum such as hazard analysis and mitigation; off-trail travel techniques; individual and team leadership; as well as basic climbing and bouldering on short cliffs near camp. This course offers the most in-depth opportunities for student leadership, including extended opportunities for independent student group travel. Read the course description (pdf) for more information.

Naval Academy Leadership Expedition in Wyoming Pre-requisite: Naval Academy midshipman or ensign, Cadet from other military academies, ROTC midshipman or cadet, select active duty personnel Dates and Tuition: 5/26/08 - 6/19/08: (25 days) - $3,780 6/23/08 - 7/17/08: (25 days) - $3,884 7/20/08 - 8/12/08: (24 days) - $3,647 Course start/end: Lander, Wyoming Equipment Deposit: $350 Fly in/out : Riverton, Wyoming How to enroll : (choose one) Naval Academy Midshipmen and Ensigns Non-Naval Academy Joint Enrollement for NALE 6/23/08 For more information contact: NOLS Professional Training Phone: 800-710-6657 ext. 2218

Naval Academy Alaska Mountaineering

On your course you'll backpack among the towering peaks and immense glaciers that characterize Alaska’s world-famous mountains. Photo: Pascal Beauvais

You'll be on snow and ice for most of the course as you travel in Alaska's remote mountain ranges. The route chosen for each course is dependent on many variables (snow conditions, river levels, time of year etc.), and is therefore best selected right before your course goes to the field. All routes are classically Alaskan: long, arduous approaches via large valley glaciers, constant exposure to potentially winter-like conditions, outstanding scenery and the chance for some challenging climbing. Because of the terrain encountered on these courses, there may be fewer opportunities for student leadership on travel days than is common on other Naval Academy courses. Read the course description (pdf) for more information.

Naval Academy Mountaineering in Alaska Pre-requisite: Naval Academy midshipman or ensign Dates and Tuition: 5/13/08 - 6/11/08: (30 days) - $5,083 6/22/08 - 7/17/08: (26 days) - $4,510 Course start/end: Palmer, Alaska Equipment Deposit: $350 Fly in/out: Anchorage, Alaska How to enroll: USNA midshipman/ensign For more information contact: NOLS Professional Training Phone: 800-710-6657 ext. 2218

Naval Academy Sea Kayaking Expedition

On the Alaska Sea Kayaking Expedition, you’ll learn the paddling and seamanship skills to travel safely on the ocean. Photo: Ashley Wise

Prince William Sound — the classroom for this expedition — offers a spectacular and varied natural history. There's no better way to take in Alaska's dramatic coastline than by gliding on the water. The sea teems with various forms of life, and you'll have the ideal vantage point to view it all. Leadership at sea carries with it additional challenges that will hone your skills. This dynamic environment demands that teams are not only effective, but also efficient at assessing risk and making decisions. Read more in the course description (pdf) .

Naval Academy Sea Kayaking Expedition Pre-requisite: USNA midshipman/ensign Dates and Tuition: 5/25/08 - 6/19/08: (26 days) - $3,943 Course start/end: Palmer, AK Equipment Deposit: $350 Fly in/out: Anchorage, AK How to enroll: USNA midshipman/ensign For more information contact: NOLS Professional Training Phone: 800-710-6657 ext. 2218

Naval Academy Whitewater Canoeing

Here, in the headwaters of the Canadian Rockies, you’ll share the wild with caribou, bear, wolf, moose and migrating birds. Photo: Pascal Beauvais

The majority of the Yukon Territory is accessible only by plane, foot or river. The Yukon Whitewater River Expedition is a serious wilderness river expedition during spring runoff on the Frances, Hyland, Hess, or McMillen rivers. Successfully negotiating a river in a tandem canoe demands the highest level of communication and teamwork skills. This dynamic medium requires you to make in-the-moment decisions that affect your boat and the rest of the team on the river. The river teaches you to assess risk, and execute precise risk mitigation strategies every day. You will learn the skills you need to paddle wilderness rivers on your own. Read more in the course description (pdf).

Naval Academy Whitewater Canoeing Pre-requisite: USNA midshipman/ensign enrollment Dates and Tuition: 5/25/08 - 6/19/08: (26 days) - $4,052 Course start/end: Whitehorse, Yukon Equipment Deposit: $350 Fly in/out: Whitehorse, Yukon How to enroll: USNA midshipman/ensign enrollment For more information contact: NOLS Professional Training Phone: 800-710-6657 ext. 2218

Naval Academy Pacific Northwest Backpacking Expedition

These challenging and rugged ranges spawned the term “technical hiking” at NOLS. Photo: Alexis Alloway

This expedition will travel through the Cascades or Olympic mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Once you have mastered basic wilderness skills, you’ll move into advanced curriculum such as hazard analysis and mitigation; off-trail travel techniques; and individual and team leadership. This course offers extensive opportunities for student leadership, including opportunities for independent student expeditions. Read the course description (pdf) for more information.

Naval Academy Pacific Northwest Backpacking Expedition Education Pre-requisite: USNA midshipman/ensign Dates and Tuition: 7/20/08 - 8/11/08: (23 days) - $3,335 Course start/end: Mt. Vernon, WA Equipment Deposit: $350 Fly in/out: Mt. Vernon, WA How to enroll: USNA midshipman/ensign For more information contact: NOLS Professional Training Phone: 800-710-6657 ext. 2218