NOLS Blog
Case Study: Bug Bite or Blister on a Trail Crew Project
The Setting You are working as part of a backcountry trail crew in the Nantahala National Forest near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. The project involves brushing and tread work in steep, densely vegetated terrain with long approaches and limited access points. Summer conditions are hot and humid, and the crew has been in the field…
Love and EB: a NOLS Valentine Story
Photo by Tracy Baines Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, is the one day on the calendar dedicated solely to ...
Case Study: An Unexpected Illness on a Ski Trip
The Setting You’re on day 2 of a 4-day hut to hut ski trip in the 100 Mile ...
Outdoor Leadership Programs for High School Students: Why Wilderness Matters
Parents searching for summer opportunities face an overwhelming marketplace of camps, programs, and experiences. Sports camps, academic enrichment, traditional summer camps, leadership programs—the options seem endless. But among all the choices, one category consistently produces deeper, longer-lasting outcomes than the rest: outdoor leadership programs for high school students. These programs combine the transformative power of…
Why Teens Need Leadership Skills: A Guide for Parents
Every parent wants their teenager to succeed—good grades, college acceptance, a fulfilling career. But there’s something that predicts success more reliably than test scores or academic credentials—and most schools barely address it. Leadership skills for teens aren’t about being in charge of others. They’re about being in charge of yourself: making decisions under pressure, communicating…
Ship’s Log: Sailing in Greece’s Ionian Sea Alumni Trip
After a few days of moderate winds, good introductory sailing and island exploring while making our way to the north coast of Kerkyra along the southern border of Albania, a change in the weather was on the horizon. With the forecast in mind, we tucked into the protected harbor of Gouvia just north of Old…
Teen Gap Year Programs: Adventure-Based Options for Before College
The traditional path says: graduate high school, start college immediately, don’t look back. But a growing number of families and college admissions advisors are questioning this formula—and discovering that what looks like a detour often becomes the most valuable part of the journey. Gap year programs for teens have moved from the fringe to the…
Best Backpacking Trips for Teens: Wilderness Adventures That Build Character
Something happens when a teenager shoulders a pack, leaves cell service behind, and walks into the wilderness. Something that organized sports, academic programs, and traditional summer camps—though these experiences have their benefits—simply cannot replicate. Backpacking trips for teens offer more than adventure. They offer transformation. And for parents searching for experiences that genuinely change their…
Leadership Programs for High School Students: What Parents Need to Know
Your teenager stands at a pivotal moment. The skills they develop now—how they handle challenges, work with others, and step up when it matters—will shape their path through college, careers, and life. But here’s what many parents discover too late: traditional classroom settings rarely build the kind of leadership that matters in the real world.…
Adaptive Biotechnologies CEO Credits NOLS with Leadership Success
Adaptive Biotechnologies CEO and NOLS grad Chad Robins says his leadership style is based on the lessons he learned during his Spring Semester in the Rockies.
NOLS Graduate and Instructor Jimmy Chin Receives Oscar for Free Solo
NOLS graduate and former instructor Jimmy Chin and his wife and co-director E. Chai Vasarhelyi won an Oscar for Free Solo, their film chronicling Alex Honnold's unprecedented climb of El Capitan without ropes or safety equipment.
NOLS Celebrates Landmark Federal Public Lands Victory
NOLS is celebrating the fact that local, grassroots conservation efforts can make a big difference in preserving the crown jewels of the United States' public lands.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine: A Genius Way to Use Your PTO
The RV rental company Outdoorsy recommends NOLS Wilderness Medicine training as one of their top five picks for using paid time off.
What You Learn from Living Outdoors for Three Months
Environmental journalist Sara Sneath reflects on the life-changing three months she spent in the Rockies on a NOLS outdoor educator semester in fall 2019.
Outside Magazine Recognizes NOLS Instructor Liza Howard for Ultrarunning Wins
In February 2019, Outside recognized NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor Liza Howard for her outstanding ultrarunning performances. She says balancing a busy schedule of work, running, and parenting is key to her success.
UC Santa Cruz Students Recognized for Completing WFR Training
The Mercury News recognized 30 UC Santa Cruz students who completed a NOLS Wilderness First Responder recertification in January 2019.
Learning Leadership above the Arctic Circle
Evan Marie Allison, associate director of the University of Michigan’s Sanger Leadership Center, reflects on the lessons she learned on a NOLS Alaska backpacking course in summer 2018.
Georgetown MBA Students Reflect on Rocky Mountain Leadership Trek
In August 2018, nine Georgetown MBA students backpacked through Wyoming’s Wind River Range on a NOLS Custom Education expedition, gaining valuable leadership experience.
Naval Academy Midshipman and NOLS Grad Receives Marshall Scholarship
U.S. Naval Academy senior and NOLS Yukon grad Anne Richter recently received a Marshall Scholarship to pursue a master’s at Sheffield University before training as a naval submariner.
Joe Austin Receives AEE Servant Leader Award
At the 2018 Association for Experiential Education (AEE) conference, NOLS Health Review Manager Joe Austin received the Servant Leader Award in recognition of his excellent leadership during nine years of service on the Accreditation Council.
Naval Academy Midshipman and NOLS Grad Receives Rhodes Scholarship
U.S. Naval Academy senior and NOLS Alaska grad Margaret Dods recently received a Rhodes Scholarship to pursue a masters at Oxford before her service in the Marine Corps.
