Stories

NOLS grad Alyssa Walker concludes that camping with her two young children was magical—and also one of the hardest things she's ever done as a parent.

On outdoor semester with NOLS, you'll learn to find navigate in the wilderness—which might just help you find clarity on your journey through life as well.

When gender or sex is relevant to treating a patient, it's important to communicate respectfully and not make assumptions.

Chilean NOLS grad Ignacio Martínez shares stories and advice from his Semester in Patagonia.

Carolyn Highland reflects on one of her favorite days ever—ascending an unnamed peak with a student-only team on her NOLS semester—and its lasting impact.

Sarah Delany reflects on the most impactful—and toughest—day of the customized NOLS course she took with fellow Bates College students in the Adirondacks.

Breaking the norms of leadership styles helped this NOLS grad grow on an all-women's sea kayaking leadership course in Baja California, Mexico.

Check out a collection of stories from some of the expeditions and trainings instructors pursued in 2017 to continue growing as leaders and educators.

NOLS grad Maddy Eschholz reflects on the transferrable lessons she brought home from her outdoor semester in the Rockies.

Kathryn Wheeler reflects on the role of technology in our daily lives and offers advice on how to truly unplug.

A Columbia Business School student shares the lessons he took home from a challenging backpacking expedition in Patagonia with NOLS.

A NOLS grad, writer, and mother of two, Alyssa Walker reflects on how the expedition behavior she learned in Alaska applies to parenting.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine grad Carina Ahlqvist will be the first Scandinavian woman to summit Makalu— but that's not why she joined the 2018 Climate Climb.

Struggling with the big city life she thought she wanted, Elena Rodriguez realized that what she actually needed was a NOLS course—or two.

You never know when your first aid training might come in handy—you might even wind up using your skills to treat your pet!

Outdoor educator Erin Phillips shares reflections on the time she spent exploring the Utah desert on a NOLS semester expedition.

Lynn Hill is famous for her legendary free climb of the Nose on El Capitan. What you might not know is that she's a NOLS Wilderness First Responder grad.

NOLS instructor Jonathan Brooks uses words and images to chronicle his journey through British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.

My 30-day NOLS course was the hardest test of will, teamwork, strength and leadership I’ve ever experienced.

Instructor Tim Kelley shares his passion for packrafting and explains what to expect on a NOLS packrafting expedition, based on a course he taught in 2017.

The post author learned that stepping into life back home is as important a skill as living in the wilderness.

We hope you enjoy taking a look back at the seven most-read stories from 2017.

Adventuring in nature has the ability to open our hearts and interpretive learning opens our minds.

I had registered for the women's climbing course for many reasons, but my essential motive was to be in a positive, supportive, and encouraging environment.