Mission, Values & Context

The plan that follows is the product of a broad community effort that took place over nearly one year. This plan is our long-term guide for the 2009–2013 fiscal years at NOLS. The predominant story is that we will remain committed to the school’s mission and core values, which underwent no changes in this planning process.

The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.

The NOLS staff, students, trustees, and alumni share a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and excellence. These values define and direct who we are, what we do, and how we do it.

Our basic plan is straightforward—we will continue to focus substantially on what we have been doing, do it better, reach a broader audience, and remain a leader in our field.

While our mission states that we are both a leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership, our primary emphasis has been, and will continue to be, as a teacher. We are an organization of committed educators and we are passionate about our students and the student experience. Our student outcomes are excellent, and demand for our courses exceeds what we can currently supply. Our staff and faculty are outstanding and dedicated. During the next five years we will continue to teach in and for the wilderness.

Our sense of community is strong. Our finances are in balance and our alumni are supportive. We will continue to build a better world by developing active, positive leaders who have experienced and who value wilderness.

The NOLS community takes pride in the success it has achieved in pursuing its values and fulfilling its mission, but we recognize in this plan that our horizons for educating students and for wilderness stewardship can be broader, its impact more significant, and its strengths greater. Global and local needs for leadership and environmental awareness and responsibility are compelling.