NOLS Summer Expeditions
Do something different this summer.
Our summer expeditions for 18-22-year-olds are rooted in real experiences: paddling by tidewater glaciers deep in Alaska's Prince William Sound, catching the sunrise on a remote granite peak in Wyoming's Wild River Range, or navigating a series of rapids on a river in Utah. It's a chance to develop your leadership, learn new skills, and forge the type of friendships that can only be built through shared experience.
"It felt freeing to get to know fellow students without the interruption of cell phones or other technology. The wild environment forced us into a tight-knit group and the lack of outside technology really sealed the deal. There were certainly many moments that were incredibly rewarding, but doing it without the social barrier of technology really made everything so much better”
– Alumnus, 2025 NOLS Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking Expedition
Summer Expedition Highlights
✅ Meet like-minded peers and make lasting friendships.
✅ Travel through remote places.
✅ Learn new skills: horsepacking, sea kayaking, packrafting, mountaineering, backpacking, whitewater kayaking/rafting, or rock climbing.
✅ Practice Leave No Trace principles.
✅ Take a break from screens and technology.
✅ Have a summer experience unlike any other.
We’re Mission-driven to be Educators, not Guides
That means you’re the one learning to set up your tent, cook full meals on a camp stove, and be a leader in your group. While your instructors will provide mentorship and support, by the end of your course, their goal is to be your sidekick rather than your boss.
Want to learn more?
Financial Aid
Need-based scholarships are available for all of our summer expeditions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Academic Credit
Earn academic credit outside of the traditional classroom. College credit is available on all our summer expeditions.
Risk Management
We believe that risk is manageable and that no organization is better equipped to manage risk than NOLS.
