Outdoor Education

The author smiles carrying her backpack while holding a map to navigate the desert terrain.

Opportunity to Engage

As a queer person of color, Lauren shares her journey to discover the programs NOLS implements on affinity expeditions and instructor-in-training ...

smiling NOLS student wearing backpack smiles for the camera on a glacier in Alaska with other students in the distance

My Path to Outdoor Education from a Semester in Alaska

NOLS grad-turned-instructor Katiya Gombar says that not a single day goes by without thinking of her expedition in Alaska and the lessons she learned ...

Andrew Bobilya teaches students how to rock climb

Andrew Bobilya: Taking the Classroom Outdoors

Now an associate professor at Western Carolina University, NOLS grad Andrew Bobilya still treasures the lessons he learned on his Baja sea kayaking ...

Competence and Leadership: Making a Good Cup of Cocoa

Want to hike the entire Appalachian Trail? You should know skills like setting up a tent. Competence is often the "how" on the path toward your goals.

Competence and Leadership: Making a Good Cup of Cocoa

When it comes to leadership, whether you're a team member or a designated team leader, if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s going to be difficult for you to get things done