NOLS Named Among Best Places to Work Again

LANDER, WYO — For the sixth year in a row, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) has been named to Outside Magazine’s annual “Best Places to Work” list. A review of NOLS and other top-performing companies is available at www.outsideonline.com.

NOLS is one of only five nonprofit organizations selected and, along with Natural Habitat Adventures, Patagonia, Smith Optics and Smartwool, earns the distinction of being included all six years Outside has published this list.

“As a world leader in outdoor education, NOLS staff share their passion for wilderness medicine, mountaineering and more with students age 14 to 70. Here, employees are more likely to wear Chacos than dress shoes, which better prepares them for frequent post-work climbs or hikes,” the article states.

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” project celebrates innovative companies setting a standard for a healthy work-life balance. The list was compiled based on confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. Best Companies Group analyzed the results and selected the companies that best enable employees to pursue active lifestyles while also supporting their social and environmental contributions.

“For our 2013 list of the best places to work in the United States, free ski passes, unlimited vacation time, and exotic trips are just the tip of the iceberg. We found a staggering number of companies that understand the road to success depends on a work-life balance; a healthy, active staff; and a willingness to give back,” the article states.

NOLS Executive Director John Gans passed the credit back to NOLS’ staff.

“As we approach 50 years of wilderness education it is clear that our staff are the core of our success. Their consistent dedication to our mission is the reason for our success and also for our ongoing placement as a top national employer,” he said.

NOLS was delighted to see a number of partners make the list, as well, including Patagonia, Mercury CSC, and fellow Adventure Collection members Backroads and Natural Habitat Adventures. The organization was particularly honored to see Seeley Lake Elementary tout reimbursement to teachers for NOLS courses as a perk.

“Our staff are dedicated and they thrive on working in a great community with other dedicated staff,” Gans said.

The community of Lander, Wyo., where NOLS is based, also received an honor this week, named second on National Geographic Adventure’s list of great adventure towns in the Rocky Mountains. The article notes the role of NOLS in the community: “Belay next to ranch hands and NOLSies (who work at the National Outdoor Leadership School headquarters) below the dolomite and granite walls in Sinks Canyon or bike along the Popo Agie River’s ever growing greenway.”

About NOLS
Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt, NOLS is the leader in wilderness education, providing awe-inspiring, transformative experiences to more than 15,000 students each year. These students, ages 14 to 70, learn in the wildest and most remote classrooms worldwide—from the Amazon rain forest, to rugged peaks in the Himalaya, to Alaskan glaciers and Arctic tundra. Graduates are active leaders with lifelong environmental ethics and outdoor skills. NOLS also offers customized courses through NOLS Professional Training, and the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS is the leading teacher of wilderness medicine worldwide. For more information, call (800) 710-NOLS (6657) or visit www.nols.edu.

About Outside
Outside is America¹s leading active lifestyle brand. For more than 30 years, Outside has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. The Outside family includes Outside magazine, the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, The Outside Buyer’s Guides, Outside Online, Outside Television, Outside Events, Outside+ tablet edition, and Outside Books. Visit us online and on Facebook.

About the Best Companies Group
Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies,” and “Best Employers” programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.

About the Outdoor Industry Association
Founded in 1989, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service. To this end, OIA works diligently to raise the standards of the industry; increase participation in outdoor recreation to strengthen business markets; provide support services to improve member profitability; represent member interests in the legislative/regulatory process; promote professional training and education; support innovation; and offer cost-saving member benefits. Search for outdoor-industry jobs is at OIA’s career center:www.outdoorindustry.org.