NOLS Blog
Love and EB: a NOLS Valentine Story
Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, is the one day on the calendar dedicated solely to love and connection. It conjures up cards and gifts, candy and flowers, time spent together, and—in some circles—questions about relationships’ origin stories. At NOLS, I learned when I sat down with a few couples, more than a few romantic partnerships begin…
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, ...
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 ...
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.…
The Poley-Poley: A Chronicle in the Himalayas
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. —Confucius The air was thick. My strides were slow and purposeful, careful not to disrupt the group’s cadence. The thrill of spotting Everest Base Camp, still two hours away, motivated me to maintain the syncopated rhythm of deep breathing. Hypoxia…
Case Study: Injury on the Grand Canyon
The Setting You’re on day 12 of a 21-day Grand Canyon expedition, enjoying a well deserved stretch of flat water, staring at the canyon walls and not paying attention to what’s downstream. While enjoying the last of your morning coffee, you hear someone cry out from a nearby raft. You look over and see a…
NOLS All-Women’s Expeditions Featured in The Oprah Magazine
In April 2019, The Oprah Magazine featured NOLS’ all-women’s expeditions as one of the top 15 best adult summer camps in the country.
NOLS Cookery Wins 2018 National Outdoor Book Award
The seventh edition of the iconic NOLS Cookery won the classic category of the 2018 National Outdoor Book Awards.
Recognizing Indigenous Leaders in the Outdoor Industry
In honor of 2018 Indigenous People’s Day, SNEWS recognized five indigenous leaders in the outdoor industry, including NOLS Instructor and Senior Marketing Representative Erica Nelson.
Outstanding High School Leader Happiest in the Wilderness
High school senior Eleanor Asma of Lake Bluff, Illinois, reflects on the importance of teamwork to her group’s success on a NOLS Wind River Wilderness course. Recognized for her leadership skills, Eleanor plans further her outdoor education with a Wilderness First Responder course this summer.
WRMC Presents Risk Management Award to Jay A. Satz
Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) presented the eighth annual Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Idaho Rescue Training Brings NOLS Wilderness First Aid to Magic Valley
In May 2018, Idaho Rescue Training hosted a two-day NOLS Wilderness First Aid course for Magic Valley residents.
NOLS and Saybrook University Pioneer Innovative New Master’s Program
NOLS and Saybrook University have partnered to launch a new Master’s in Leadership program that combines online study and outdoor education. A 32-credit, three-semester program beginning in January 2019, the NOLS Saybrook MA in Leadership includes three wilderness expeditions led by NOLS.
James Mills Receives Paul K. Petzoldt Award for The Adventure Gap book
The Wilderness Education Association gave James Mills the Paul K. Petzoldt Leadership Award at the 2016 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership.
