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…
Filling the Gap
For the newest high school generation, some students have decided that taking a year before starting college is in their best interests.
Self-Care in the Backcountry: Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
Self-care, any action or behavior that helps us avoid triggering health problems, is totally necessary but often goes ignored.
Results from National Gap Year Survey Show Positive Outcomes
The American Gap Association (AGA) released a report containing results from a new survey on gap year participation among college-age students.
Educator Expedition: La Patagonia Desconocida – The Unknown Patagonia
Educator Expedition: La Patagonia Desconocida - The Unknown Patagonia
The Ethics of Cheap: Why You Don’t Need the Newest Gear
The Ethics of Cheap: Why You Don't Need the Newest Gear
How You Can Be More Sustainable Every Day
Get some inspiration for sustainable practices from each of our locations around the world.
How to Make Your Own Instant Backpacking Meals
You can make your own low-cost & lightweight instant backpacking meals using items from your local grocery store.
Keep Calm and Medic On: How a WEMT Course Can Transform Your Backcountry Experience
Keep Calm and Medic On: How a WEMT Course Can Transform Your Backcountry Experience
Smart Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun
Learn ways to protect yourself from sunburn and how to treat it
