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.…
Building a Proper First Aid Kit
Outside Online looks to NOLS Wilderness Medicine for some tips on how to build a well-stocked first aid kit, starting with knowing how to use the supplies you packed.
Netflix Founder Says You Learn Leadership by Doing
Netflix co-founder and NOLS Board Chair Marc Randolph says the leadership experience he gained in the field as a NOLS student and instructor was the “single biggest contributor to my success as a businessperson.”
Why You Should Sleep Outdoors
NOLS Instructor and Financial Aid Counselor Cristina Edwards shares her thoughts on the benefits of sleeping outside.
Seeley Lake Student Funds Gap Year Working at Coffee Shop
He registered for a five-month course with NOLS. The Year in Patagonia course starts in Chile in October. Batchelder said this is exciting and very expensive.
TDA Cyclist Reflects on Expedition Behavior
Inspired by NASA astronauts who’ve completed NOLS leadership training, TDA cyclist Henry Gold reflects on how expedition behavior taught on NOLS courses applies to cycling tours.
Lessons from an Executive Leadership Expedition
Alison Wright, founder of The Cairn Project, reflects on the lessons she learned on a recent NOLS Executive Leadership Expedition in the Wind River Range.
Finding a Sense of Possibility in the Adirondacks
In the summer 2018 edition of LOCALadk Magazine, NOLS Northeast Manager and senior instructor Lindsay Yost reflects on the transformative power of a wilderness experience, especially for teenage students.
Riding into the Heart of Patagonia
In her 2018 book Riding into the Heart of Patagonia, former NOLS instructor Nancy Pfeiffer chronicles her adventures exploring the Patagonian backcountry on horseback over the past two decades.
An American Ascent at the Wild Center
On Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Tupper Lake, NY, The Wild Center will host a screening of An American Ascent in conjunction with NOLS Northeast, followed by a Q&A session with Expedition Denali member James Kagambi.
How to Deal with Mosquitoes on Camping Trips
Senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson gives Men’s Journal readers some tips on how to deal with mosquitoes while camping.
Tips for Camping Responsibly during Fire Season
Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson offers Outside Online’s “Gear Guy” some tips on how to camp responsibly during fire season.
What to Look Forward to—and Watch Out for—When Camping Alone
In a June 2018 Wall Street Journal article, senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson offers readers some tips on how to prepare for a solo camping expedition.
