NOLS
Vitals
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GYA Accredited Since:
2015
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Enrolling:
Yes - Mission Statement:
Our mission is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment. Our community - staff, students, trustees, and alumni - shares a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and excellence.
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Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
Below is a sample course itinerary for our Semester in the Southwest. Check out the Course Descriptions for the Semester courses on the Website for other itineraries!
Duration: 80 days
Course sections: backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, caving (*only some courses), independent student backpacking expedition, and wilderness first aid.
Day 1: You'll start by meeting your instructors, fellow expedition members, and the NOLS Southwest in-town staff. After a course orientation, the remainder of the morning will be spent issuing equipment and preparing food supplies for most of the semester. In the afternoon, there will be time for some classes about the fundamentals and packing backpacks. You'll depart for the backcountry early the following morning.
Day 2 - 23: Backpacking in the Gila National Forest.
Day 23: Gear Swap and travel for the Canoeing Section.
Day 23 - 40: Canoeing the Rio Grande River, Texas.
Day 40: Deissue gear and prep for WFA.
Day 40 - 43: Wilderness First Aid.
Day 43 - 57: Caving in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Day 57: Gear Swap and travel for the Climbing Section.
Day 57 - 79: Climbing in Cochise Stronghold, Arizona.
Day 80: On the final day of the course you'll be transported back to NOLS Southwest. Upon arrival, you'll clean all the group equipment used during the course and return any rental gear. During this time, you'll also have an opportunity to purchase equipment or souvenirs from our gear store. After lunch, you will debrief your semester experience with a member of the NOLS Southwest administration. Later that afternoon, staff and instructors will join you in celebrating your success. There will be a graduation dinner where diplomas are awarded.
Program Outcomes
- Leadership
- Tolerance for Adversity & Uncertainty
- Risk Management
- Environmental Ethics
- Navigate Backcountry Terrain
- Display competence in Technical Skills
- Wilderness Medicine
- Academic Credit
- Demonstrate good Expedition Behavior
- Self Care
NOLS courses teach wilderness and leadership skills on expeditions and in classrooms. Our students apply these skills to challenges in a supportive learning environment with high expectations. Students have the opportunity for a positive, transformational experience and leave our courses inspired and empowered to act.
We craft NOLS courses so that graduates will be able to assume leadership roles; live and travel in the outdoors; act with confidence and competence; respect and collaborate with others on expeditions, teams and communities; care for themselves and others; understand their habits, strengths and areas for growth; function under difficult circumstances; make informed and thoughtful decisions; communicate effectively and manage conflict; and appreciate living simply.
We believe positive, ethical leaders change the world. Join NOLS and become one of these leaders.
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester, Yearlong
- Typical Program Cost: Varies
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
Every year, NOLS awards more than $1.7 million in need-based scholarships. Our scholarships take into account unusual expenses, and special or changing circumstances. Scholarships can range from a small portion to larger amounts of the course cost.
Staff Training and Certification
NOLS instructors teach leadership, expedition behavior, environmental studies, wilderness first aid, risk management, outdoor living skills, Leave No Trace principles, and the necessary technical skills related to the course type. Instructors are expected to create and maintain an inclusive learning environment, build excellent rapport with students and their instructor team, support student learning and growth, invest in their professional development as educators, and manage risk appropriately.
Our expedition instructors come from a wide variety of backgrounds. All have demonstrated comfort and competence living and traveling in remote areas for extended periods of time, be they mountains or ocean or desert or rivers, as well as a desire to teach and facilitate transformative educational experiences for our students.
All instructors have completed a multi-week, field-based NOLS Instructor Course. In addition, we require a minimum of a 70-hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification and a current adult CPR certification with a hands-on component.