Benjamin Lester
Start a lifetime of adventure with a two-week wilderness expedition. On this course designed for 14- and 15-year-olds, you’ll dive into learning leadership and outdoor skills as you explore the mountains of Olympic National Park or North Cascades National Park. Climb to the tops of craggy peaks and wander evergreen forests. Learn about local ecology as you backpack through wide plateaus and cross rivers. Wake up to see the sun rise on glacier-carved peaks, and fall asleep ready to take on the next day. Even if you’ve never been camping before, this course is a great way to learn more about the outdoors—and yourself.
Leadership skills will be a key part of this course. You and your group will learn how to be leaders as you meet fresh challenges, and you’ll use your new skills every day. Making a decision about where to camp teaches you about good judgment, while resolving an argument teaches you about communication. These experiences will help you figure out what your leadership style is and how you support your group. At the end of this course, you’ll walk away with real experiences that will help you be a leader at school, at home, and for the rest of your life.
“Before NOLS, I generally didn’t consider myself a leader or put myself in a leadership position. On the course, I felt very comfortable in the group environment and after my first day acting as leader of the day I realized that I liked the position and was eager for my next chance. I look forward to using my new leadership skills at school and other aspects of my life.”