NOLS Alumni: Vision and Action

January 29, 2009

NOLS students learn and practice many skills during their time at
the school. Recent activity by our far-flung grads and volunteer
organizers demonstrates that alumni also have passion and leadership
skills. The alumni-organized activities detailed below show fun and
innovative ways for graduates to support the school while building
alumni networks in their home communities.

Rupert, Vermont – Our intrepid NYC alumni group
has organized a weekend of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in
rural Vermont this weekend. This is a great chance for urban folks to
get out and enjoy some winter recreation in Merck Forest.

Taylor Falls, Minnesota – Twin Cities area NOLS grad Alan Haskins is organizing a family ski day at the local ski area, Wild Mountain. Grads, guests and families can connect for lunch, special discounted lift tickets, and a whole lot of winter fun.

Greensboro, North Carolina
– NOLS Instructor Brett Friedman is organizing an informal alumni
gathering at the local REI store on February 24 where he’ll show slides, talk about instructor courses
and raffle off some cool NOLS gear. We have many outdoor-oriented grads in the
area who will enjoy the camaraderie and connection provided by this
volunteer-organized event.

Chicago, Illinois – A local Patagonia Fly Fishing & Backpacking
course grad, Jonathan Gordon, is organizing an informal alumni happy
hour on April 9 at the English Bar in Chicago. This event will bring
diverse grads together for networking and brainstorming area outdoor
opportunities. The Midwest has lots of outdoor options— including sea
kayaking, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing and caving, so share the
details!

Wow. That’s an amazing list of diverse activities. And, all of that is in addition to the planned reunions and staff events
we’re already teeing up. If you’re excited about NOLS and you’d like to
put that passion into volunteer networking or service in your
community, drop us a note.

Topics:

Written By

Rich Brame

Rich Brame came to NOLS in the 80's as a Fall Semester in the Rockies student and worked his first NOLS course at Wind Cave National Park in 1984. Since then, he's worked varied NOLS trips and courses on five continents—with a few more on the way. Rich does some frontcountry shenanigans for NOLS, too. He's headed up NOLS' public policy, research, LNT, Yukon programs and most recently in the Alumni Relations Department.