Ben was a Scuba Instructor and Commercial Pearl Diver when he first learned about NOLS in Australia in 2004. He became an Instructor in 2006 and has since gone on to teach sea kayaking, hiking, and canoe courses for the school in seven different countries. Any experience shared with Ben is highly memorable due to his endless fascination and appreciation for wildlife (or "beasties" as he affectionately calls anything that moves). Outside of NOLS Ben is the owner of FamiliesVsWild, a business that brings parents and their kids closer through shared adventures in the outdoors and greater appreciation for nature.