Leadership

2024 US Instructor In Training Cohort at the start of their instructor course: top, left to right, NOLS field instructor Jerick Lee, NOLS field instructor Elsie Freland, Matt Medina, Dane Gare, Amber Davis, and bottom left to right, Alison Sikowitz, Vicky Albores, Yessi Aguilar, and Jianna Kaufman The U.S. NOLS Instructor-in-Training (IIT) Program is a…

Lhakpa Sherpa has grit, determination, and goals. As the first woman to summit Mt. Everest ten times and under adverse life circumstances, she prevailed to meet her goals despite the odds by turning challenging situations into opportunities.

If you, like us, are looking to the leadership of those who have invested years in anti-racism advocacy, these resources that can provide a starting point. We know we have a lot to learn and do. And we hope you’ll keep learning with us.

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

The more I understand my reasons for rock climbing, the better I can transfer the lessons to the rest of my life.

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.

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!

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.

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

NOLS Instructor Sanjana Govind introduces us to competence—being skilled both on our own, and as part of a group.

Vision and action is a two-part leadership skill that combines the planning and the follow-up to move leaders toward their goals.

NOLS Instructor Andy Notopoulos talks about the leadership skill self awareness. Subscribe to the NOLSie News to follow along our series exploring the 7 NOLS leadership skills.

NOLS Instructor Molly Herber talks about the power and simplicity of the leadership skill expedition behavior as part of our series The Leadership Project

Enjoy stories from NOLS alumni and partner organizations focused on increasing outdoor access

Everyone has their own signature leadership style—but where do you find yourself most?

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

To reduce the strain on local health care facilities during a global crisis, you can step up and use your first aid training to treat some injuries at home.

Tolerance for adversity and uncertainty (or resilience) is a major element of the leadership model NOLS teaches and it has broad applicability, especially now.

Sometimes being a good leader means admitting you don't know the answer, a lesson Carolyn Highland learned on her outdoor educator course in the Absarokas.

On an Alaska backpacking and sea kayaking course, NOLS grad Caroline Dooley realized that hiking like a girl is something to celebrate. Here's why.

The NOLS Tanzania Scientific Expedition is a unique opportunity to design and implement a scientific research study—and summit Mount Kilimanjaro!

In many ways, an all-women's course is just another NOLS course. But it's also something more.

Mistakes aren't fun. But they might be just what teens need to succeed! NOLS courses offer an opportunity to make mistakes productively and learn key leadership skills.