NOLS Blog
Case Study: Dental Emergency while RaftingÂ
A member of your rafting party loses a tooth partway through a 4-day trip. How do you respond?
Case Study: Sea Kayaking SlipÂ
photo credit: Liz Schultz The Setting You are enjoying an amazing day of paddling on Prince William Sound ...
Gap Year Pros and Cons: Solo vs. Group
Taking a gap year can be a transformative experience that expands your horizons, fosters personal growth, and unlocks ...
Trip Report: Inaugural NOLS Alumni Climbing Trip In Greece
In May of 2025, the Inaugural NOLS Alumni Greece Climbing Trip traveled to the Greek island of Kalymnos, one of the most famous climbing destinations in the world. Our small but mighty group of alumni and NOLS instructors climbed, swam, staged breathtaking photo shoots, practiced climbing skills, visited nearby islands, sampled the best spinach pies…
Exploring the World and Finding Yourself: The Power of a Gap Year After High School
Discover the power of taking a gap year after high school—adventure, cultural immersion, and self-reflection highlight this transformative experience.
Case Study: Embedded Tick while Backpacking
In the Appalachian Mountains of New York you friend notices that they have an engorged tick on their leg. How would you apply your wilderness medicine skills in this scenario?
Instructor Spotlight: Caeden Greene
A NOLS experience can truly be a transformative experience for a young person’s life, and that was certainly the case for field instructor Caeden Greene. In high school, Caeden embarked on a 30-day Waddington Range Mountaineering Expedition (WAD), long known as one of NOLS’ most rigorous courses. The WAD expedition had such a profound effect…
Case Study: Jellyfish Sting in Paradise
Ouch! Your friend gets stung by a jellyfish while you're out surfing. How do you respond?
Through the Diamond Heart of Brazil: Our Next Alumni Adventure!
Lush valleys, waterfalls, ancient ruins, and diamonds can all be found in Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina National Park, the backdrop for one of NOLS’ newest alumni trips. Murilo Bellese and Moaci Dantas, the trip’s primary architects, share a little more about the trip and what makes it special. Looking out over Chapada Diamantina National Park. Photo…
Expedition Denali Team to Have Presence at Summer Or
Expedition Denali Team to Have Presence at Summer Or
Foundation for Youth Investment Grants $20,000 to NOLS
Foundation for Youth Investment Grants $20,000 to NOLS
Outside Magazine Names NOLS One of America’s Best Places to Work
Outside Magazine Names NOLS One of America's Best Places to Work
NOLS Releases Fifth Edition of ‘Wilderness Medicine’
NOLS Releases Fifth Edition of 'Wilderness Medicine'
Wells Fargo Donates $5K to Wilderness Medicine Campus
Wells Fargo Donates $5K to Wilderness Medicine Campus
Designed for Learning and Environmental Leadership
Designed for Learning and Environmental Leadership
NOLS’ Expedition Denali Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Feature Film
NOLS' Expedition Denali Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Feature Film
NOLS 2014 Stewardship Award Goes to BLM Lander Field Office
NOLS 2014 Stewardship Award Goes to BLM Lander Field Office