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.…
Forbes Recognizes Italian Cycling Company Founded by NOLS Grad
In May 2019, Forbes recognized the 30th anniversary of Ciclismo Classico, a bike touring company founded by NOLS semester grad Lauren Hefferon.
Casper Star Tribune Features Run the Red, a Race Celebrating Public Lands
Get excited! This year’s Run the Red race, sponsored by NOLS, will be held on September 28, 2019, Wyoming’s first Public Lands Day.
Outdoor Professionals to Convene in Albuquerque for 26th Wilderness Risk Management Conference
In fall 2019, NOLS will host the 26th annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
New York Times Features New NOLS LGBTQ+ Backpacking Course
In June 2019, the New York Times highlighted the NOLS LQBTQ+ Canyonlands Backpacking - Prime as part of a feature story on LGBTQ outdoor expeditions.
Senior NOLS Instructor Advises Field & Stream on Picking Campsites
Field & Stream recently sought Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson’s advice on how to pick the perfect campsite.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Featured on University of Kentucky Radio Station
WUKY recently interviewed NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor Greg Gaskin about a Wilderness First Responder course held at the University of Kentucky.
Aparna Rajagopal Receives Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award at the 2019 Wilderness Risk Management Conference
Aparna Rajagopal received the 2019 Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award for her significant contributions to the field of risk management in outdoor education and adventure professions.
NOLS Grad Haley Robison Recognized as Top Business Leader
Conscious Company recognized Haley Robison, Kammok CEO and NOLS semester grad, as one of the Top Conscious Business Leaders of 2018.
“Camp Like a Girl” on a NOLS Adventure Course
In an article for Teton Family magazine, Georgie Stanley explains that NOLS adventure courses offer teenage girls like her daughter an empowering opportunity to develop leadership skills while facing real challenges in the wilderness.
UVA Students Test Limits in Patagonia Wilderness
In March 2018, 12 students from UVA’s Darden School of Business embarked on a six-day NOLS course in Patagonia to develop backpacking and leadership skills.
AmeriCorps Grad Uses Education Award to Explore Tanzania
After serving at City Year Boston, Brenna Easton used her AmeriCorps education award to fund her NOLS course in Tanzania.
NOLS Grad Inspires Minneapolis High School Students to Get Outside
In 2013, NOLS grad and high school teacher Randy Baum co-founded the Edison Outdoor Club to expose Minneapolis students to outdoor adventures ranging from backpacking trips to rock climbing and mountain biking.
