Food and Gear

Camper life comes with some challenges; however, it’s the most freeing thing I have experienced since my gap year, and I can’t recommend the experience highly enough to anyone interested.

When I say 2020, what comes to mind? Pandemic, quarantine, fear, loneliness, job loss, online overload. It was February 2020 when I began my journey with NOLS, and I’m so glad that I did.

At 6:30 in the morning some of your participants come and tell you that their tentmate is complaining of abdominal pain. As the WFR-trained course leader, you go to their tent to investigate.

Out of the blue, a tip from an old mentor pointed me towards NOLS as an alternative, and maybe more fitting, way to continue my education.

Stretching myself right to the limit, day after day, and finding camaraderie in that challenge gave me a new sense of capacity and bravery as we attempted to climb Cerro Nora.

5 Gap Year Myths Debunked - Worried that a NOLS gap year expedition is beyond your reach in terms of timing, finances, or technical skills? Guess again!

Discover why the NOLS Wilderness First Responder course is transformative, equipping you with skills, confidence, and a new perspective on handling accidents.

Over 55 years, we've learned the value of NOLS isn't in accomplishments so much as the way a NOLS education inspires and empowers our graduates to act, as we see in these alumni stories.

In 1990, two people started a business that was remarkable for 2 reasons—most important because the business was dedicated to teaching wilderness medicine. Read on and celebrate NOLS' anniversary with 30 years of wilderness medicine history.

New this summer: Salmon River Rafting Adventure for ages 14-15, and Alaska Women’s Backpacking for adults 23+ (now with a 14-day option!)

Five days into sea kayaking with friends in Prince William Sound, Alaska you feel lousy; some diarrhea, some vague abdominal cramping, not much appetite. You assume it's a touch of the flu and don't say anything. See what happens next and test your knowledge with this case study.

What do Marc Randolph, Jimmy Chin, José González, Knight Campbell, and Kit DesLauriers have in common? Listen to their stories to learn how NOLS influenced their trails to success.

Adapting to the constantly changing world in 2020 and continuing to serve the industry's risk management needs has been key to moving forward on an all-digital Wilderness Risk Management Conference this year.

See the ways NOLS grads are leading in the field of sustainability

Artist Alina Drufovka on Being a Latina Backpacker, NOLS Fellow, and Turning COVID into an Opportunity for Art

America’s federal public lands are an amazing resource for all kinds of recreation—but how much do you know about the different kinds of public land?

This recipe for cheesy breakfast bagels with sausage is easy to make and easy to adapt to your tastes.

You and a friend are on a long run in the foothills of the Laramie Range in Wyoming. It’s a hot day. Four hours into the run your companion stumbles, slows, staggers, and sits on a log. He says he “feels awful.”

Tolerance for adversity and uncertainty is something all of us practice every single day. To conclude our series The Leadership Project, NOLS President Terri Watson tells stories from her experiences while teaching and putting this skill into practice.

Carter McBride joined us to celebrate Black in National Parks Week and share from his experiences in National Parks, as well as perspectives on the opportunities and areas for growth that NOLS and other outdoor organizations can pursue in the realms of representation and inclusion. He is a member of NOLS’ Advisory Council, a NOLS parent and graduate, and participated in Expedition Denali in 2013.

NOLS Instructor Andy Blair introduces us to the leadership skill judgment & decision-making

NOLS Instructor Jesse Quillian introduces us to the importance of communication, and how it changes in groups over time

Enjoy reading our posts with advice for parents, role models in outdoor education, and all things focused on getting others outside

A trip participant has trouble on a rappel. When they are safely on the ground, you begin your patient assessment. Test your wilderness medicine skills with this case study.