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.…
How Learning Wilderness First Aid Seriously Upped My Hiking Game
I took a NOLS Wilderness First Aid course to learn more about wilderness medicine skills in Monrovia, CA through a partnership with REI.
Backcountry Delight
Sometimes you want a fresh meal when you’ve been hoofing it through the backcountry. Here’s a simple recipe from NOLS for pizza and calzones to try!
Outside’s Gear Guy Shares NOLS Tips on Keeping Camp Kitchens Clean_draft
NOLS field staffing director Marco Johnson offers Outside’s “Gear Guy,” Joe Jackson, some tips on keeping camp kitchens clean.
Building a Useful First Aid Kit for the Backcountry
Tod Schimelpfenig, senior NOLS instructor and curriculum director of NOLS Wilderness Medicine, offers some tips on how to put together a well-stocked first aid kit for the backcountry.
Wharton Executive MBA Alum Reflects on NOLS Mountaineering Expedition
A graduate of UPenn’s Wharton Executive MBA program shares what she learned about leadership on her 2018 NOLS mountaineering expedition in Alaska.
Gear Patrol: Backpacking 101 with Senior Instructor Marco Johnson
In April 2019, Gear Patrol consulted Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson for advice on packing for a backpacking trip.
Facebook’s Former Chief Product Officer Shares Lessons Learned at NOLS
Chris Cox, Facebook’s former Chief Product Officer, shares the lessons he learned on a NOLS semester course in Patagonia.
Southwest Leaders of Color Expedition: Working to Decolonize Outdoor Spaces
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council recognized environmental justice advocate Alice Jasper for her participation in the 2019 NOLS Southwest Leaders of Color expedition.
UW Nursing Students Further Their Education with NOLS Wilderness Medicine Training
In spring 2019, University of Wyoming nursing students and instructors participated in a NOLS Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner course.
NOLS Instructor & Longtime Trekking Guide Founds Outdoor Education Project in Nepal
Trekking guide & NOLS instructor Jagan Timilsina founded the Outdoor Education Project to prepare students in rural Nepal to work in the outdoor industry.
NOLS Celebrates Fifth Year of Innovative Partnership with C5 Youth Association to Serve High-Potential Under-Resourced Youth across the Country
NOLS celebrates five years of working with C5 Youth Association to lead wilderness expeditions for high-potential under-resourced youth across the U.S.
