NOLS Scandinavia

NOLS Yukon
NOLS Alaska

NOLS Pacific
Northwest

NOLS Northeast
NOLS Teton Valley
NOLS Rocky Mountain
Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus
NOLS Southwest

NOLS Mexico

NOLS Amazon

NOLS East Africa

NOLS Patagonia

NOLS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution, operates under permit and in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, state organizations, and
1 international land management agencies. See a complete list of our operating areas online at: www.nols.edu/operatingareas.
 NOLS Facts
{p.3–4}

Grads Tell
Their Stories
{p.5–14}

Winter &
Spring Courses
{p. 15–50}

NOLS Semesters
Lead the Way
{p.29–30}

NOLS India Winter & Spring

Semester Course
Offerings
{p.31–50}

Summer Courses
{p.51}

Fall Courses
{p.52}

NOLS Australia
NOLS
Professional
Training
{p.53–54}

NOLS Wilderness
Medicine
NOLS New Zealand Institute
{p.55–56}

Join NOLS!
{p.57–58}

2
 LEADERSHIP • SKILLS JOIN NOLS ADVENTURE • FUN
– EST. 1965 –

With NOLS you can

TRAVEL the world and
UNPLUG and set forth on
immerse yourself in
new ADVENTURES.
awe-inspiring
WILDERNESS and
diverse CULTURES.

Learn the LEADERSHIP and TECHNICAL SKILLS

necessary to become SELF-RELIANT in remote
wilderness settings.

At course end, your JOURNEY has only just begun.

Graduates transfer the skills learned and DIRECTION found
to their careers and passions for the rest of their lives.

Alumni are welcomed into the NOLS

COMMUNITY and often return for
more courses, alumni trips, or
No matter your path, you’ll carry the NOLS
CAREERS in outdoor education.
DIPLOMA, a recognized certification awarded
to outstanding leaders.

RESEARCH and
Curriculum
Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt,
NOLS takes students of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions
and teaches them technical outdoor skills, leadership, and JUDGMENT SELF-AWARENESS
environmental ethics. NOLS’ unrivaled curriculum is informed & DECISION MAKING Know your strengths and
by nearly 50 years of development and dedicated research in a Demonstrate situationally appropriate weaknesses, your leadership
wide range of topics, including experiential education, risk decision making, use your experience to style, and how you influence
management practices, and wilderness ecology. develop good judgment. or affect others.

3
 97% OF NOLS GRADUATES WOULD
RECOMMEND NOLS TO A FRIEND
JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

CENTRALLY Staffing, admissions and

curriculum development
ADMINISTERED all happen at our
headquarters in Lander,
i In 2012, Locally Wyo., meaning you get the same
we had over
17,500 Operated high quality experience wherever
you take your course. Course
students from
all 50 states logistics, outfitting and planning
and 37 are done at the location, by staff
countries! who understand the culture and
nuances of that place.

MISSION NOLS STAFF NOLS

OUTDOOR
The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership
School is to be the leading source and teacher of
NOLS instructors are experienced wilderness expedition
leaders, and they are passionate educators. They have all
SKILLS
horsepacking
wilderness skills and leadership that serve people been trained in the NOLS leadership curriculum,
and the environment. outdoor ethics, and wilderness skills to help every FLY Rafting
student become the strongest leader he or she can be.
FISHING
The average
student ratio is
PACK RAFTING
6:1. This provides KAYAKING
• People thrive when challenged.
our students with
the personal Leave No Trace
• Living in nature teaches responsibility.
instruction they
need to be rock SPLITBOARDING
successful.
climbing SAILING
• Leadership can be learned.
• Learning should be fun. LEADERSHIP Backpacking
NOLS Professional Training offers innovative, customized
We believe that leadership can be learned. We facilitate
the development of key leadership skills as students
CANOEING
Canyoneering SKIING
i NOLS courses for businesses and organizations ranging
from NASA to The Archer School for Girls.
progress through the NOLS leadership curriculum with MOUNTAINEERING
experience and feedback.
wilderness medicine

EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE TOLERANCE FOR VISION & ACTION

Be a strong team member by Be a clear communicator, an Possess and use knowledge, ADVERSITY & UNCERTAINTY See the possibility in any situation
keeping yourself and others understanding and invested listener, skills, and technical ability, as Learn to endure, even enjoy, hard work and find creative ways to move
motivated and exercising good and give and receive well as organization and and challenge, and adapt to changes and your team toward it. Have initiation
conflict resolution. feedback well. management. challenges with focus and a sense of humor. and motivate others.

4
 JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains are where it
all began for NOLS. BRAD CHRISTENSEN

Learn to brave and delight in the cold nights of

springtime in the Rockies. BRAD CHRISTENSEN

Spring Semester in the Rockies

NOLS invented the outdoor semester, and this is
where it all began. You’ll see some of the great American
West’s most treasured spots, carving turns in winter wilderness
powder and jamming your hands into cracks while climbing one
of Wyoming’s world-class crags.
The Rockies are a hotspot for outdoor activities. Every
spring semester consists of a combination of four different field
activities—winter/backcountry skiing, canyon travel,
rock climbing, river travel, or horse packing—and one
wilderness medicine course from NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Institute—Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness
First Responder (WFR). Learn more on page 45. Spring Semesters in
the Rockies feature a
rock climbing section.
DAVID ANDERSON

The winter section of untouched powder is

a hallmark of a NOLS spring Semester in
the Rockies. FREDRIK NORRSELL

Take in the views of the Rockies during the

river travel section of a spring semester.
5 BRAD CHRISTENSEN
NOLS from Generation to Generation
ARIEL AIKEN / 2004 Spring Semester in the Rockies

As long I can remember, I have stared at my mother sitting on top
of Mount Sacagawea in Wyoming. The photo aged as the years
passed, but the look of complete belonging and happiness on my
mother’s face didn’t. I came along after two more courses: a Wind
River Wilderness Course in ’81 and the Winter Skills Course in
Yellowstone in ’85.
There is no doubt that the things she learned influenced
how I was raised. The seven-day canoe trip my parents took
me on when I was 4 led the way to climbing Mount Elbert in
Colorado as a mother/daughter team by the time I was 14. All
my adventures were laced with stories and skills she had learned
at NOLS. Setting up camp was held to the strictest standards of
Leave No Trace. For a child it was a game, like hide and seek.
Instead of seek, erase all evidence we had been there.
It was destined that NOLS was in my future. I saw it as a
rite of passage—my coming of age. Flipping through the NOLS
catalog and trying to decide which course I wanted to take
was worse than waiting for Santa to slide down the chimney.
After much deliberation, I decided on a spring Semester in the
Rockies. My 18th birthday gifts were the necessary items on
my NOLS equipment list. Checking off gear strewn across the
living room floor, my mom and I bonded in a way that only
adventure can offer.
As mother and daughter, we walked arm-in-arm through the
doors of the historic Noble Hotel in Lander. Memories played
out for her; mine were just about to begin. NOLS had evolved; a
new headquarters building and new equipment for me to pack. From
her two pairs of wool socks to my Smartwool and a liner, she left
me, knowing the daughter she would pick up
would be a woman.
Our pictures span decades, but we We gained understanding
have the same look on our faces. We have of who we were and
excitement and belonging glistening in our achieved clarity with the
eyes, the hard work that produces satisfaction world while staring out
evident in each of our smiles. Our journal into the wilderness.
entries document times we wanted to cry
and the glee of having persevered. We gained understanding of who
we were and achieved clarity with the world while staring out into
the wilderness. We developed friendships with strangers and trusted
them with our lives.
The ink on my journal’s pages is slowly fading, as her journal is
turning yellow with age, but never will the lessons be forgotten or the
memories become dull. I flip through them with fondness, eager for
the moment my mom and I walk arm-in-arm once again through the
Noble Hotel doors to drop my daughter off for her NOLS course.
Ariel currently is traveling around the Southwest, working for
Starbucks, coaching Crossfit, and working on her degree in journalism
and her third book.

SNOW KITCHEN
By shoveling snow into a pile and digging down
into it, you can carve out cooking platforms,
tables, storage shelves, ice boxes and even
benches to sit on. You’re only limited by your
imagination—or lack of shovel.
NOLS students learn techniques like this to
thrive in comfort in even the harshest conditions.

TIP: Make benches deep enough to use a

sleeping pad as an insulating cushion!

66
 JOHN STODDARD

Completed in the fall of 2012, the

Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus
hosts WEMT courses, as well as
annual staff meetings.

Realistic scenarios with mock patients Wilderness medicine courses cover

deepen the learning experience. medicine as well as incident command and
GATES RICHARDS leadership. BRAD CHRISTENSEN

7
WMI’s Unique Facility JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

TATE HIGGINS / NOLS Instructor

I was honored to teach the first Wilderness Emergency
Medical Technician (WEMT) course at our new Wyss
Wilderness Medicine Campus with fellow instructors
and a whole team of wilderness medicine educators.
We had a blast exploring the new space with the
campus’ inaugural WEMT students. There was plenty
of simulated trauma, fake blood, classroom learning,
and multi-patient rescues. Even during the intense
moments, I couldn’t help grinning at the magnificence
of our new home.
The classrooms are state of the art, and the hundreds
of acres of varying campus terrain make an ideal spot
to put learning into action. It’s beautiful, but more
than that, it’s functional, efficient, and designed to
optimize students’ learning and experience. The Wyss
Campus is an investment in our students’ success and
a physical reflection of the value and importance we
place in our courses.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute’s (WMI)
experienced instructors can be effective educators in
almost any setting. Just give us a white board and
some scenario space, and we can get the job done,
but combine our focus on effective educating with a
premier wilderness medicine campus, and you get a
WEMT experience not duplicated anywhere else in
the world. Wilderness EMT
This month-long intensive course combines
Standing in front of a new group of WEMT wilderness medicine with urban medical care
students, I’m always reminded that this is where practices. After four weeks of classroom
I started. My experience as a WEMT student was education, clinical rotations with real
challenging, rewarding, and empowering. I left my patients, scenarios, and full-scale mock
course with more skills and knowledge than I could rescues, you will be ready to handle
ever imagine picking up in a month’s time—and medical emergencies in the wilderness
confidence that I could respond to an emergency. The or right in town. Successful completion
course exposed new passions in medicine, and I began of the course and both written and practical
working on an ambulance immediately. The training examinations will certify you as a National
also helped open doors in my work as an international Registry of EMTs Basic EMT and as a Wilderness
expedition leader and river guide. As an instructor, I EMT. Learn more on page 55.
hope to give some of that magic back to my students,
and the Wyss Campus is an ideal place to do just that.
Tate Higgins is based out of Bozeman, Mont., and
leads river and mountain expeditions in East Africa,
Nepal, and the American West.

Basic First Aid Kit

There is no such thing as the perfect first aid kit, so you should consider your
needs and build a kit that meets them. Some items to consider are:

• Trauma shears • 3x4 non-stick gauze pads • Wound closure strips Repack your first aid kit for each trip. Check
• Tweezers • Coban wrap (7.6cm by 4.6m) • Tincture of benzoin swabs for expiration dates on medications, for
• Safety pins • 1-inch cloth tape • 1 x 3 fabric bandages sterile items that have been torn open or
• Patient Assessment Forms • Wire or SAM splint • 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads damaged, and for specific needs that special
• Oral thermometer • Gloves • 3-inch conforming roll gauze trips might require (e.g. high altitude). Do
• Rescue mask • 12cc irrigation syringe • Transparent film dressing not pack anything in your first aid kit you
• Emergency Blanket • Moleskin bandages • 4-6 inch elastic wrap (10.2-15.2 cm) do not know how to use. Before you go into
• 2nd Skin® dressings • Povidone-iodine solution • Triangular bandages the wilderness, go through each item in your
• Antibiotic ointment packages • Antiseptic towelettes • Specialized or personal items you or your kit and familiarize yourself with what’s there
• Knuckle and fingertip fabric bandages • Sterile scrub brush teammates may need in an emergency. and how to use it.

88
 Business School in Patagonia
JESI CRAWFORD / NOLS Professional Training Administrative Assistant

Last December, 11 Columbia Business School (CBS)
students completed the first 10-day CBS Leadership
Expedition to Patagonia. The expedition, a custom
course created by NOLS Professional Training,
consisted of 10 days spent in the remote northern
Patagonia Mountains.
“We had the opportunity to focus on the simple
things in life, to receive (and give) sincere feedback
from teammates, to face and overcome obstacles never
faced before, to practice all kinds of leadership, to
laugh, to explore, to reflect, to challenge, to conquer,
to support,” Maya Mandel, president of the Outdoor
Adventures Club and a second year MBA student
from Israel, reflected.
Maya was responsible for bringing the course to
fruition. Initially introduced to NOLS through a
Bloomberg Businessweek article, she investigated and
determined an expedition to Patagonia would best
suit the CBS students.
“I was eager to push myself outside my comfort To receive (and give)
zone,” Maya said. “I wanted to create meaningful sincere feedback
relationships with new colleagues.” from teammates, to
This expedition is just one of many courses NOLS face and overcome
Professional Training has created for MBA programs, obstacles never faced
NASA, the United States Naval Academy, Google, before, to practice all
and a diverse group of other businesses, schools, and kinds of leadership, to
organizations. NOLS Professional Training works laugh, to explore, to
with clients to determine their needs and offers reflect, to challenge,
innovative, customized NOLS courses. to conquer, to support.
“The inaugural CBS Leadership Expedition to
Patagonia was everything I was hoping my MBA
experience would be,” Maya concluded.
Jesi currently works at NOLS Professional Training,
and when not in the office, she enjoys exploring the
mountains aided by pack, bike, rope, or floating vessel,
painting in her art studio, and blowing her paychecks on
plane tickets to foreign countries.

Communication:
FEEDBACK
Within the leadership curriculum the Columbia Business School students were taught key communication skills, including feedback.
All NOLS students learn to give and receive feedback on their courses.

Language & Ownership Make It Timely

Use “I” statements, not “everyone thinks” statements. Be Act soon (not interrupting the event). Wait for a time and place
ready to learn how your own actions impacted the receiver. when the person is ready and able to hear your feedback.

Active Listening Focus on Growth

Actively listen to the sender’s experience and paraphrase Make it growth-oriented. Emphasize the “next-time,” future
what you have heard. Stay open to additional learning. outlook. Help the other person focus on their strengths.

9
 Cornell students on a NOLS
Professional Training
course review their route.
Design your NOLS course ALEX CHANG – CORNELL
NOLS Professional Training is here to meet your learning objectives! LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION

We work with you to determine your needs and provide a

format specially designed just for your group, whether you
want to focus on leadership and teamwork or develop solid outdoor
skills. Learn more on page 53.

We will design your custom course around the following:

• Course dates & group size
• Course location
• Activity or learning objective
• Course length

Time spent in the backcountry

imparts invaluable lessons for life
in the frontcountry. ALEX CHANG –
CORNELL LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION

Before leaving NOLS

Patagonia, students review
the region and planned
route with an instructor.
ALEX CHANG – CORNELL
LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION

Skills learned in some of the most awe-

JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
inspiring locations in the world can be
applied anywhere in the world.
BETSY WINSTON 10
 Spring Outdoor Educator Semester
The NOLS Semester for Outdoor Educators is a chance for aspiring
and practicing professional educators and students
studying outdoor education to get into the wilderness and out
of the classroom.
This 89-day semester is jam-packed with an entire curriculum
dedicated to the field of outdoor education. You’ll be with other
professionals and students ages 21 and over who want to
learn outdoor skills and leadership as they further develop
Go beyond outdoor
their teaching skills. Learn more on page 41. education to become a
strong teacher of those skills.
APARNA RAJAGOPAL-DURBIN

Instructors hold regular

classes throughout a
course. CASS COLMAN

Practice makes perfect,

and eventually instructors
are able to step back as
students progress. BECCA
PARKINSON

NOLS instructors employ ingenuity in the

JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu  field to teach skills, such as topographic
map reading. ALEX CHANG – CORNELL
LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION
Inspiration, Meet Education
MICHAEL FROEHLY / 2011 Outdoor Educator Semester

Shortly before my NOLS course, I founded a club at my
college, the Unity College Outdoor Leadership Council.
I had always thought I’d be interested in adventure
education; that’s why I was studying adventure
education leadership and adventure therapy. My NOLS
course affirmed those beliefs and gave me more drive
to seek out as many opportunities as possible while I’m
at college. Coupled with learning the importance of
professionalism, preparedness, and stepping up to be a
leader, I returned with the inspiration and skills to make
the Outdoor Leadership Council an invaluable presence
on campus.
When I returned from my NOLS course, I
recognized there weren’t affordable professional
development opportunities for Unity College students.
So a friend and fellow NOLS graduate and I organized a This was a
scholarship fund within the Outdoor Leadership Council to new direction
assist Unity College students with the cost of certifications, for the club,
trainings, and other professional development opportunities. one inspired
This was a new direction for the club, one inspired by my by my NOLS
NOLS experience and facilitated by my NOLS education. The experience
Student Drive Fund has been a huge success, and not only with and facilitated
outdoors majors. By the time I graduate, we will have awarded by my NOLS
$4,000 to deserving students on student budgets. education.
Michael just finished a summer working for City Kids
Wilderness Project in Jackson, Wyo. He is currently finishing up
his last semester at Unity College. On weekends you can either find
him rock climbing with friends or leading trips for his school.

PACK PACKING
When packed properly, a backpack can hold much more than it would
appear and can be comfortable despite weight. Achieve comfort and
efficiency by following the A-B-Cs.
N

SPF

A B
Availability
The top section, or the
brain, of your backpack
should have the items
you will need access to
throughout your day:
water treatment, maps,
snacks, compass, sun-
screen, and first-aid kit.
C D E F
Balance Compression Dry Everything Inside Food Above Fuel
For comfort and your Use all the space your The best way to keep The more gear hanging Should your fuel bottle
protection, the heaviest backpack has to offer. all of your gear dry is from your pack, the leak, it could contami-
items should always Stuff socks into shoes, with a heavy garbage more will get wet when nate your food supply,
sit close to the spine food into pots, and your bag liner inside your it rains. Any protruding potentially leaving you
in the middle of your clothing or tent into any pack. Fold the garbage item has the potential without sustenance. To
back. Match items on small holes or empty bag over at the top and to be caught by a tree help mitigate this risk,
the right with items of spaces that develop as you’re ready to hit the branch, resulting in always pack fuel below
equal weight on the left. you pack for your trip. trail in wet weather. damage, or lost gear. your food supply.

12
 Leadership Lessons from Uncertainty
COREY FERNANDEZ / 2011 Semester in Patagonia

I was co-leader to our next “X” on the map, alongside Felipe, our
course’s native Chilean student. We finally paddled into a camp and
saw this beautiful area that was well protected, and, for the first time
in days, it was sunny. But by the
time we woke the next morning, it
It’s in times of “yellow lights,” was pouring rain with high winds.
rather than clear red or green We weren’t going anywhere.
lights that groups can begin Felipe and I knew that when the
to splinter, jump to inaccurate weather broke, the entire group
conclusions, or lose faith in would need to act quickly to make
leadership if decisions aren’t as much progress as possible; we also
clearly communicated. knew we needed to avoid slumping
morale. So we established a rhythm
of connecting with one another to assess the conditions and then
communicating our decisions to the team.
By setting a routine, we enabled our team to relax. We were
cognizant of our coursemates’ daily desire to know if they needed
to gear up to go on or settle in for another day. Accordingly, each
morning for four mornings, Felipe and I met as early as possible
to assess the conditions. After reaching our decision, we pulled the
group together. It was established that the purpose of these meetings
was to clearly answer the question of “move or stay?”
When conditions are uncertain, it is particularly important to
communicate frequently. It’s in times of “yellow lights,” rather than
clear red or green lights that groups can begin to splinter, jump to
inaccurate conclusions, or lose faith in leadership if decisions aren’t
clearly communicated.
Throughout the economically challenging years of 2008 to 2010,
I watched the CEO of my company take a highly communicative
approach. This helped circumvent “water-cooler conversations” and
speculation. In the same way, Felipe and I learned to deliver direction
in ways that didn’t leave room for differing interpretations or time for
assumptions among tent groups.
By the time the sun rose on a promising day, the fifth day, we
were all thrilled to be back in our kayaks. We reached our “X” with
new comfort and confidence in holding a leadership position in
times of adversity and uncertainty.
Corey currently works at Root, Inc., enjoys food and concerts in
Ann Arbor, Mich., kayaks Michigan rivers, and is taking up paddle
boarding on the Great Lakes.

Choosing Your Course is Simple...

WHAT + WHERE + WHEN

Offering a wide variety of skills,
each course has its own combination
ranging from mountaineering
and rock climbing to rafting
and horsepacking. There is something
for everyone.
13
With over 15 operating
locations in 10 countries,
the cultural component of NOLS
semesters around the globe is
powerful and informative.
Expedition course durations span from
14 days to an academic year. We
have something to fit the schedule
of most spring break, summer, semester
off campus, Jan. term, and gap
year students.
 Patagonia’s terrain and weather demands
students develop tolerance for adversity
and uncertainty. BETSY WINSTON

A semester in Patagonia covers beautiful

and diverse country. BETSY WINSTON

Teamwork skills essential in the

backcountry are directly transferable to JOIN NOLS. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
careers. RAINBOW WEINSTOCK

Spring Semester in Patagonia

This semester has strong leadership outcomes forged by
adapting to and operating in harsh weather. Teamwork, com-
munication, and problem solving are critical to success.
Hike in Patagonia’s valleys and mountains and sea kayak in breathtak-
ing archipelagos, visiting locals along the way. The grand finale is
change the independent student expedition if you and a small group of
your peers earn the privilege of planning and traveling a route on your
own. Learn more on page 43.

Putting Your Experience into Words is the Hard Part.

No matter where you take your course,
you’ll leave with life skills, life lessons,
and lifelong friends. ALEX CHANG – CORNELL
LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION

Location
PHOTOGRAPHER
14
14
 Rocky Mountain
MATT MCARDLE

New Zealand Mexico

FREDRIK NORRSELL BRAD CHRISTENSEN

15
Southwest India
DAVID ANDERSON MADHU CHIKKARAJU

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

Teton Valley
HEIDI HATCHER

Rocky Mountain
FREDRIK NORRSELL 16
 NOLS India

17 ALEXIS ALLOWAY
MADHU CHIKKARAJU AMES BROWN

MADHU CHIKKARAJU

KEVIN EMERY

Himalaya Backpacking Himalaya Mountaineering

The Kumaon and Eastern Garhwal regions of the Indian Himalaya are rugged glacially carved The remote and spectacular Kumaon region in the state of Uttarakhand is the setting for this
ranges famous for climbing and trekking. You’ll make your way up high mountain passes, course. In these surroundings, you’ll focus on topics such as expedition planning,
some reaching 15,000 feet above sea level, and travel through lush river valleys. You’ll visit cultural awareness, high altitude physiology, and mountaineering. Beginning
teahouses and hike past fields that are still worked with water buffalo. You’ll accumulate your trek into the mountains at 5,500 feet, there is potential for camping as high as 18,000
backcountry skills and learn the core NOLS curriculum while experiencing the feet. The breathtaking scenery, variety of terrain and travel, and tremendous opportunities for
land and culture on an intimate level.
 cultural interactions make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• 35 days • Optional academic credit: 6 hours • 18 and over • $7,200 • 40 days • Optional academic credit: 8 hours • 18 and over • $7,850

Semester in India APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

Details on p. 37.

18
 NOLS Mexico

19 NICK HALL
 Baja Coastal Sailing
A NOLS sailing course will get you well on your
way to sailing on your own and being a competent
crew member. You’ll be aboard a unique yawl-rigged open
boat, the Drascombe Longboat—a light, maneuverable craft
perfect for learning sailing basics, exploring shallow coves,
or hauling onto desert beaches. You’ll learn coastal naviga-
tion on waters rich with marine life and read winds and waves
with confidence. On windless days, you’ll practice rowing
and towing. The boat will be your home on the water, but
you’ll also practice Leave No Trace camping on shore.
• 22 days • Optional academic credit: 4 hours • 16 and
over • $4,300
Baja Sea Kayaking
Technical skills, incredible scenery, leadership practice, and
cultural exchanges. On this course you’ll navigate the
Sea of Cortez, carrying everything you need for your
journey inside the hull of your sea kayak and learning
how to maneuver this craft onto remote beaches and paddle
well when wind and waves pick up. Free diving is a special
part of this course, and you’ll often spend afternoons explor-
ing coastal reefs and their vast array of multi-colored fish.
• 22 days • Optional academic credit: 4 hours • 16 and
over • $3,725
23-and-over Baja Sea Kayaking
Nothing’s lost in this shortened format for adults. Same
great scenery and great leadership lessons of Baja
Sea Kayaking, just a timeframe more conducive to
busy schedules.
• 14 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • $3,525
Semester in Baja
Details on p. 33.

CASS COLMAN BRAD CHRISTENSEN

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 20

SAMANTHA BAKER 20
20
 NOLS New Zealand

21 RACHEL CURTIS
 APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

JAMIE O’DONNELL

ROO RILEY

JAMIE O’DONNELL

LESLIE PALOTAS

New Zealand Backpacking

This tramping adventure takes you into the South Island’s rugged
interior: a land of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, tundra, and
forests. The routes here are demanding, but the rewards are great. You can
expect challenging travel, as well as plants and animals found nowhere else on
Earth. The mountains are precipitous, and the rivers are prone to sudden rises
after a rain. Learn the skills required to travel efficiently and comfortably in
this environment—skills that will serve you later in life wherever you may go.
• 30 days • Optional academic credit: 6 hours • 18 and over • $6,590,
including New Zealand’s 15% goods and services tax

Semester in New Zealand

Details on p. 39.

22
 NACHO GREZ

NOLS Patagonia

23
 APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

ALEX CHANG – CORNELL LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION BETSY WINSTON

DIEGO ALLOLIO BETSY WINSTON

Patagonia Mountaineering 23-and-over Patagonia Sea Kayaking

The Patagonian Andes are the site of your mountaineering expedition. Among the peaks,
expansive rivers, and thick forests, you’ll learn the techniques of alpine big-
glacier mountaineering and camping in challenging weather. Teamwork, motiva-
tion, leadership, and communication are critical components of the course, as are meticulous
glacier travel, hazard evaluation, and technical ropework. This course will offer you the
challenges of unknown terrain and fierce Andean weather, preparing you for travel in any
mountain area in the world.
• 34 days • Optional academic credit: 6 hours • 18 and over • $6,750
While sea kayaking in Patagonia, you’ll encounter lush temperate rain forests,
numerous waterfalls, sweeping granite walls, and glimpses of glaciers in the
distance. You will develop seamanship and kayaking skills traveling along the verdant
Patagonia coast. As you encounter subsistence fishermen trapping crab or diving for shell-
fish, you’ll gain insight into a way of life that has changed little over the last century, in stark
contrast to the modern developments of salmon farming, a prolific industry for Chile.
• 14 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • $3,650

Semester in Patagonia
Details on p. 43.
24
 NOLS Southwest

25 DAVID ANDERSON
 Southwest Outdoor Educator:
Backpacking and Rock Climbing
If you’re an active or aspiring outdoor educator, this is your opportunity
to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching and
leading field-based wilderness education programs. You’ll learn
outdoor living skills in addition to the fundamentals of running wilderness
courses, including program supervision, risk management, and NOLS admin-
istrative practices—all in the context of backpacking in the desert landscape
and rock climbing awe-inspiring walls. There will also be an opportunity to
talk with the NOLS Southwest program and operations staff about the orga-
nization and logistical aspects of our programs. We can discuss everything
from federal land permits to equipment planning and rations and give you a
perspective on running an outdoor program. Eligibility: Qualified practicing or
aspiring outdoor educators
• 31 days • Optional academic credit: 6 hours • 18 and over • $4,625

Semester in the Southwest Details on p. 47.

Semester on the Borders Details on p. 35.

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
LINDSAY NOHL

KYLE DUBA

BENJAMIN LESTER 26
26
 Winter Outdoor Educator
Designed for practicing and aspiring winter outdoor educators, this course includes two days of
professional ski instruction at Grand Targhee and Recreation Level 1 Avalanch certification. This
backcountry section is the longest winter expedition at NOLS and includes miles of skiing in pristine
powder, constructing and living in elaborate snow shelters, and taking turns teaching pertinent winter
topics. This course provides some of the best expedition training available, preparing

NOLS
you to camp and lead well in any environment.
Eligibility: Qualified practicing or aspiring outdoor educators, moderate skiing ability.
• 21 days • Optional academic credit: 4 hours • 18 and over • $2,860

Teton Valley Splitboarding

Are you seeking the exhilaration of a perfect ride in untracked powder? Want to transition from being
an area rider to a backcountry boarder? On this course, you’ll venture through the mountains, improve
your backcountry shredding skills, learn to assess and travel responsibly in avalanche terrain, and learn
to thrive outside in the winter. The adventure starts with snowboarding instruction at Grand Targhee
Resort. Once in the backcountry, you’ll construct elaborate snow shelters, learn about teamwork, and
carve turns in fresh powder. Camping and traveling in the winter is a lot of hard work, but
surfing down the mountain in knee-deep powder is a very cool reward.
• 14 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • 17 and over • $2,400

23-and-over Splitboarding
Combining professional splitboard instruction at Grand Targhee Resort, two nights in the relative luxury
of a backcountry yurt, and one dig-in snow shelter camp, this course caters to adult splitboarders who
want a real adventure and need to fit it into a busy schedule. From the yurt, you gain access to
untracked powder and set up for your next move into snow shelters that you construct.
This course also covers avalanche and terrain assessment.
• 12 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • $2,515

Backcountry Skiing
Start with two feet of fresh powder. Add the solitude of a winter night and the sky
blanketed in endless stars. This is a NOLS backcountry skiing course. Living and traveling in
this wild environment requires new skills and offers new challenges. We will explore terrain where you
need to make real decisions, using your avalanche assessment skills to access and evaluate untracked
backcountry powder slopes. This course is also excellent preparation for any big mountain expedition
where snow and cold are everyday factors.
• 14 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • 17 and over • $2,015

23-and-over Backcountry Skiing

This 12-day course is designed for adults seeking a real adventure in a short amount
of time. Start with professional instruction at Grand Targhee Resort, continue to two nights in a
cozy backcountry yurt, and move deeper into the backcountry to build show shelters and continue
seeking fresh powder turns. Since the focus is skiing, this course also teaches avalanche and
terrain assessment.
• 12 days • Optional academic credit: 2 hours • $2,340

27 ALEXIS ALLOWAY
LINDSAY YOST TONY JEWELL

MATT BURKE

MATT MCARDLE

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

MATT MCARDLE 28
 WHAT SETS NOLS “When we saw our eldest daughter Heather off for her semester,
SEMESTERS APART we put a child on the plane and picked up a young woman.”
Fred Kleisner, NOLS parent, two-time NOLS grad,
Where the Outdoor Semester was born. former Chairman of the NOLS Board of Trustees

SCANDINAVIA
ALASKA
YUKON

PACIFIC NORTHWEST NORTHEAST

TETON VALLEY ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Culture
The SOUTHWEST

MEXICO INDIA
NOLS values the importance of
learning from locals about their
history, their environment, and
their culture.
All NOLS semesters cover both AMAZON
human and natural history and EAST AFRICA
environmental studies specific
to the region, and some include
AUSTRALIA homestays and service projects.

NOLS’ international student ratio

NEW ZEALAND i grows each year, providing the
valuable experience of learning
PATAGONIA
alongside locals on your course.

OPERATING AREAS
12
• •
• •
• •
• •
NOLS classrooms are some of the wildest and •
•
•
•
most awe-inspiring locations in the world. •
•
•
•
NOLS operates around the globe, offering • • The average size of a
•
you the chance to develop the outdoor skill •
•
• semester course.
•

BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL

•
that most appeals to you and discover the new • •
•
territory that most excites you. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
• •
• •
Each fully staffed facility is a cornerstone of
the community, ensuring our students come
•
•
• As your course progresses, you will develop
•
•
•
SCHOLARSHIPS
• •
to truly understand the people and the • individual leadership skills that will help you • Nearly $1.5 million in scholarship assistance is
•
environment of the area. • become a strong and confident leader. •
• awarded to NOLS students each year.

29
 the
Semester Tuition •
•
•
Tolerance for Adversity & Uncertainty Adventure
COMPARISON Self CONFIDENCE COLLEGE CREDIT
•
•
•
•

Awareness scholarships ECOLOGY GROWTH

•
•

263.45
•
•

outdoor classroom
• EXPERIENTIAL
COST PER DAY (AVG 75 DAYS)
APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
communication
•
•
•

Vision & Action SUSTAINABILITY

•
•
Data was acquired through the
i College Board’s national average
•
•
•
college costs for 2012-13.

LEARN BY DOING
•
•
Judgment and
•
•
RELEVANT Decision Making
ROOM & BOARD

206.07
•

healthy lifestyle PROFESSIONAL

$5,231

NATURAL
•
COST PER DAY (AVG 75 DAYS)
•
•

148.85
•
•
life-changing LEAVE NO TRACE HISTORY
ROOM & BOARD

•
$4,602

teamwork
COST PER DAY (87 DAYS LONG) •

CHALLENGE
•
• financial aid
$700 •

GEAR
•
•
•
COMPETENCE CULTURE
DEPOSIT

ENVIRONMENTTRAVEL
MARKETABILITY
( ROOM & •
certifications
FUN
BOARD = FREE ) •
•
•
TUITION, FEES, ROOM & BOARD

EXPEDITION EXPLORE CAMP

•
•
•
BEHAVIOR STEWARDSHIP
ETHICS
•

skills
•

FRIENDSHIP
•
TUITION & FEES

TUITION & FEES

$14,528

$10,853

$12,250

EXPLORATION
•
•
• CONFLICT
•
• RESOLUTION i Ask us about the many
scholarships we offer.

PRIVATE PUBLIC NOLS

•
•
•
•
leadership around
the
world
TEACHING
FOUR-YEAR FOUR-YEAR SEMESTER •
•
COLLEGE OUT OF STATE IN THE •
SEMESTER SEMESTER ROCKIES •
$19,759 $15,455 $12,950 •
•
•
•

BE IT KNOWN THAT
The
Diploma Additional
CERTIFICATIONS
A NOLS diploma is a leadership credential that
HAVING COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION FROM THE
NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

+
WIND RIVER WILDERNESS

The Leader in
Wilderness Education
Diploma
employers value, an accomplishment that is recognized CPR & First Aid
Executive Director Instructor(s)

for encompassing tolerance for adversity, vision and + WFA (Wilderness First Aid)
action, and judgment and decision-making, in addition + WFR (Wilderness First Responder)
+ WEMT (Wilderness EMT)
Professional
to develop- ment of strong outdoor skills.
+ SWR (Swift Water Rescue)
Your communication, conflict resolution, and self- + Avy 1 (Avalanche Rescue Level 1)
MARKETABILITY motivation skills will set you apart on college and job + LNT Master (Leave No Trace)
When NASA and the U.S. Naval Academy applications and transfer to whatever you may pursue *Availability of specific certifications is
train leaders, they send them to NOLS. for the rest of your life. dependent on course curriculum.

30
30
 Australia

31 JEN KLEWITZ
 JACKIE RUETENIK

JEN KLEWITZ

JEN KLEWITZ

CASS COLMAN

Spring Semester in Australia

Come discover the Kimberly Region of Western Australia,
one of the largest and most remote wild lands in the world.
On this semester you will first travel by canoe, and second with a
backpack, through a subtropical habitat engulfed with unique flora
and fauna. Observe rarely seen Aboriginal petroglyphs as your group
explores exotic rivers and ancient land formations. This expedition
culminates with a weeklong stay in an Aboriginal community with
Bardi guides, where you will spend time discovering their traditional
and contemporary lifestyles.
• 75 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 18 and
over • $14,850
APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

JEN KLEWITZ 32
32
 Baja

33 BRAD CHRISTENSEN
 Spring Semester in Baja
Flanked by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sea of Cortez on the east, the Baja California Peninsula
is a land of extremes and contrasts. You’ll explore the contrasting environments of desert and
ocean on foot, in a sea kayak, and under sail while having ample opportunities for cultural
and Spanish language interactions with local students, educators, ranchers, and fishermen. You
will learn the leadership and technical skills you need to travel through these ecosystems comfortably
and responsibly.
• 78 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 17 and over • $12,900

BRAD CHRISTENSEN

BRAD CHRISTENSEN CASS COLMAN

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

NICK HALL 34
34
MADHU CHIKKARAJU

Borders

35
 Spring Semester on the Borders
This is one of the most geographically diverse semesters at NOLS—beginning in the deserts
of the Southwest and ending in the lush Pacific Northwest. Combining desert and maritime
skills, you’ll gain experience in a wide variety of outdoor skills that will allow you to
be a well-rounded wilderness traveler on land and sea. You’ll begin at NOLS Southwest
in Tucson, Ariz., with wilderness first aid training, backpacking, and climbing. Transition to NOLS
Pacific Northwest outside Seattle, Wash., for sailing and sea kayaking. From scaling a rock wall in
Arizona to slicing through the waters of British Columbia, you’ll have the time of your life and see
just how versatile the NOLS curriculum is.
• 86 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 17 and over • $14,950
BENJAMIN LESTER

RAINBOW WEINSTOCK CHRISTINA CUNEO

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

MOE WITSCHARD 36
36
 India

37 ALEXIS ALLOWAY
 TC RAMMELKAMP

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

CRAIG LENSKE

MADHU CHIKKARAJU MADHU CHIKKARAJU

CASS COLMAN

Spring Semester in India

Touch down in the ancient world of the Himalaya and prepare for a
semester packed with unparalleled language and cultural
opportunities in one of the most breathtaking backcountry
classrooms in the world. From our base in the mountain town of
Ranikhet in Uttarakhand, you will travel through the valleys of the Kumaon
and Garhwal, learning skills in backpacking, rafting, and wilderness
medicine. If students are proficient in leadership and technical skills, this
semester may culminate in an independent student group expedition.
• 80 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 18 and over • $16,125

38
38
 New Zealand

39 RACHEL CURTIS
ROO RILEY

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

JAMIE O’DONNELL

FREDRIK NORRSELL

LESLIE PALOTAS

Spring Semester in New Zealand

Join us for an exciting educational opportunity in a remarkable country. You’ll
learn about the South Island’s natural history as you travel through its forests,
which contain remnants of Gondwanaland, a prehistoric continent. Along the
way, you’ll spend some time with the local Maori who will teach
you about their culture and connection to the land. In addition to back-
packing and sea kayaking, you’ll choose more skills to learn (mountain, canoe,
or sail—find details online). You’ll practice these technical skills on New Zea-
land’s glaciers, coastlines, and rivers. And no matter what, you’ll experience
the unpredictable weather of this latitude—the “Roaring Forties.”

• 77 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 18 and over • $18,015,
including New Zealand 15% goods and services tax APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

ABE GOODALE 40
40
Spring Semester for
Outdoor
Educators
41
41 ADAM SWISHER
 Spring Semester for Outdoor Educators
There’s only so much you can learn about outdoor education indoors. That’s why we’ve created
the NOLS Semester for Outdoor Educators, a chance for practicing professional educators APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
and students studying outdoor education to get into the wilderness and out of the
classroom. You’ll be with other professionals and students who want to learn outdoor skills and
leadership as they further develop their teaching skills. The four wilderness sections—winter,
river (canoe), canyon, and climbing—combined with a Level 1 Recreational Avalanche certifica-
tion, a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, and a Leave No Trace Masters certification
will develop your skills, as well as increase your value to outdoor programs throughout the world.
Additionally, you may have administrative classes in risk management, including managing
challenging students, group management, expedition planning, and harassment prevention. This
is your chance to translate your theoretical knowledge about outdoor education into reality.
Eligibility: Qualified practicing or aspiring outdoor educators.
• 89 days • Optional academic credit: 19 hours • 21 and over • $13,915

JAMIE O’DONNELL

KYLE CASSLING

LINDSAY NOHL

DAVID ANDERSON 42
42
 Patagonia

43 BETSY WINSTON
 APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

KYLE HAMMONS BETSY WINSTON

BETSY WINSTON NACHO GREZ

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

Spring Semester in Patagonia

This semester has strong leadership outcomes forged by adapting to and operating
in harsh weather. Teamwork, communication, and problem solving are critical to the success
of this expedition. You’ll hike in Patagonia’s valleys and mountains and sea kayak in breathtaking
archipelagos, stopping to visit locals along the way. The grand finale may be an independent student
expedition where you’ll plan and travel a route of your own if you are deemed proficient.
• 80 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 18 and over • $16,300

CARRIE SESSIONS 44
44
 JAMIE O’DONNELL

Spring Semester in the

Rockies

45
RAINBOW WEINSTOCK

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

ANVESH THAPA

CASS COLMAN

CRAIG MUDERLAK

Spring Semester in the Rockies

NOLS invented the outdoor semester, and this course is where it all began. A Semester
in the Rockies will take you on a Wild West “tour de force” while giving you
a complete set of skills to lead or teach in the backcountry. Learn to paddle a
canoe down a class-III rapid, make sound first-aid decisions miles from the nearest road,
and navigate through winding slot canyons. Carve a telemark turn through the winter wilder-
ness on one section and jam your hands into cracks while climbing on the next. Because
the Rockies are a hotspot for outdoor activities, this spring semester offers a variety of skill
sets, allowing students to choose their combination of four different field activities—winter/
backcountry skiing, canyon travel, rock climbing, river travel, or horsepacking—and one
wilderness medicine course from the Wilderness Medicine Institute—Wilderness First Aid
(WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Find more details online.
• 87 days • Optional academic credit: 16–19 hours • 17 and over • $12,625–$13,450, APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
details online
46
46
 MATT MCARDLE

Spring Semester in the

Southwest

47
 APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
Spring Semester in the Southwest
This semester will give you a unique glimpse into the living desert. The sections
will take you from a Wilderness First Aid certification to the rushing waters of the
Rio Grande and the ponderosa pine forests of the Gila Range. You will find yourself
hand-jamming granite cracks, navigating your way in vast areas of wilderness, and
discovering the desert’s rich human and natural history. In this land of milder
weather, backpacking, climbing, and canoeing will prepare you for APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 
the independent student expedition that is the grand finale of your
semester if you are deemed proficient in leadership and outdoor skills.
80 days • Optional academic credit: 16 hours • 17 and over • $12,525

TC RAMMELKAMP
KYLE DUBA

MADHU CHIKKARAJU

MELISSA GRAY 48
48
 EVAN HORN

Wilderness
Medicine
& Rescue
49
 TC RAMMELKAMP

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

BRAD CHRISTENSEN

TC RAMMELKAMP

Wilderness Medicine & Rescue Semester

You could be a member of a Search and Rescue team, leading wilderness trips,
running safety on river rapids, assisting with rock rescue, or working on an urban
ambulance. If this is how you want to spend your time, this semester may be for you. The
semester-long course begins with a demanding, four-week Wilderness Emergency Medical
Technician (WEMT) course, followed by nine weeks of canyon backpacking, canoeing and rock
climbing. Students will also dive into environmental studies, examining, in particular, the impact
of environmental health on human health. Prerequisites: A Healthcare Provider or Professional
Rescuer CPR certification must be current for the duration of the WEMT portion of the course.

• 90 days • Optional academic credit: 19 hours • 18 and over • $14,750

ROBIN LARSON 50
50
Yukon
STÉPHANE TERRIER
Summer Courses
NOLS ROCKY MOUNTAIN
• Semester in the Rockies
• Wind River Wilderness
• 23-and-over Wind River Wilderness
• Absaroka Backpacking
• 23-and-over Lightweight Backpacking
• Wyoming Backpacking Adventure
• Rocky Mountain Outdoor Educator:
Backpacking with Rock Climbing or WFR
• Wilderness Horsepacking
• 23-and-over Wilderness Horsepacking
• Wind River Mountaineering
• Rock Climbing
• Rock and River
• Whitewater River Expedition
NOLS TETON VALLEY
• Salmon Backpacking and Rafting
• Idaho Backpacking Adventure
• Salmon Backpacking and
Rafting Adventure
NOLS PACIFIC NORTHWEST
• Pacific Northwest Trip Leader
• North Cascades Backpacking
• Pacific Northwest Backpacking Adventure
• Waddington Range Mountaineering
• North Cascades Mountaineering
51
• 23-and-over North Cascades
Mountaineering
• Pacific Northwest Outdoor Educator:
Mountaineering
• Pacific Northwest Sea Kayaking
and Sailing
• Pacific Northwest Mountaineering
and Sailing
NOLS NORTHEAST
• Adirondack Backpacking Adventure
• Adirondack Backpacking and Canoeing
NOLS ALASKA
• Semester in Alaska
• Prince William Sound 23-and-over
Sea Kayaking
• Southeast Alaska Sea Kayaking
• Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking
• Alaska Outdoor Educator: Backpacking
and Sea Kayaking
• Alaska Mountaineering
• 23-and-over Alaska Mountaineering
• Alaska Backpacking
• Alaska Packrafting
• Brooks Range Backpacking and River
• 23-and-over Brooks Range Backpacking
Alaska
TRACY BAYNES, STEP
NOLS YUKON NOLS INSTRUCTOR COURSES
• Semester in the Yukon • NOLS Instructor Course (IC)
• Yukon Backpacking • Professional Instructor Course (PIC)
• Yukon Backpacking and Wilderness
Canoeing
• Yukon Outdoor Educator: Backpacking
and Whitewater Canoeing
NOLS AMAZON WANT TO BECOME A
• Amazon River Expedition NOLS INSTRUCTOR?
NOLS INDIA NOLS INSTRUCTOR COURSE (IC)
• Himalaya Backpacking A month-long course for aspiring NOLS
field instructors. You’ll get the tools to teach
NOLS AUSTRALIA the next generation of NOLS students: in-depth
• Australia Backpacking instruction on teaching the NOLS curriculum
• Australia Backpacking and Sea Kayaking and training about NOLS protocols. Learn more
about becoming an instructor at www.nols.edu.
NOLS EAST AFRICA
• 23-and-over Tanzania Wilderness Application deadline: December 15
(September 1 for the Sailing IC)
NOLS SCANDINAVIA
• Scandinavia Backpacking and
Sea Kayaking
• Scandinavia Backpacking
• 23-and-over Scandinavia Backpacking
 Fall Courses APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

NOLS ROCKY MOUNTAIN NOLS INDIA NOLS MEXICO

• Semester in the Rockies • Semester in India • Semester in Baja
• Semester for Outdoor Educators • Himalaya Backpacking • Baja Coastal Sailing
• Himalaya Mountaineering • Baja Sea Kayaking
NOLS PACIFIC NORTHWEST
• Semester in the Pacific Northwest NOLS NEW ZEALAND NOLS PATAGONIA
• Semester in New Zealand • Semester in Patagonia
NOLS SOUTHWEST • Year in Patagonia
• Semester in the Southwest NOLS INSTRUCTOR COURSES
• Southwest Lightweight Backpacking • NOLS Instructor Course (IC) NOLS AMAZON
• Wilderness Medicine Instructor Training • Semester in the Amazon
NOLS EAST AFRICA Course (ITC)
• Semester in East Africa
Rocky Mountain
EVAN KRAMER

Southwest East Africa

APARNA RAJAGOPAL-DURBIN MICHAEL SCHMERTZLER

Pacific Northwest
BENJAMIN LESTER

MORE INFORMATION?

VISIT OUR SITE:

www.nols.edu/courses

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR OUR NEW

COURSE CATALOGS: Our summer course
catalog will be available in January, and our fall
course catalog will be out in April.
Amazon
DALIO ZIPPIN NETO 52
 NOLS
Professional
Training

Teton Valley
53 CRAIG MUDERLAK
 NOLS Professional Training offers innovative, customized
educational experiences for an array of organizations.These
experiences range from expedition to classroom-based training and can
be designed to include the same technical skills, leadership progression,
and environmental studies NOLS expeditions offer.

CUSTOM WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS

NOLS Professional Training’s customized wilderness expeditions are
tailored to serve a client’s mission and goals. Focusing on any aspect of
the NOLS core curricula of leadership, technical skills, risk management,
or environmental studies, these courses have benefited participants from
Southwest
BRIAN HENSIEN
secondary schools and universities, camps, the military, the corporate
world, and more. Locations and tuition vary by client.
• 7–30 days

LEADERSHIP NAVIGATION CHALLENGE

Our Leadership Navigation Challenge focuses on the core aspects of
NOLS’ leadership training in a format that is hands-on, fun, and effec-
tive—a Global Positioning System (GPS) orienteering course. This
condensed expedition mimics challenges that teams face anywhere:
making expedient decisions, balancing task achievement with group
development, blending distinct individuals to form a cohesive team, and
working through unforeseen hurdles. NOLS Professional Training
facilitators give your team the tools to make sound decisions,
leveraging them to be stronger and more effective. Locations
and tuition vary by client.
• 1–3 days

RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Patagonia
ALEX CHANG – CORNELL LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION
NOLS has nearly 50 years of experience managing students
in wilderness environments around the world. Our services
are a progression of resources that help you analyze your
own programs. Administrative risk management training, customized
staff training, risk management consulting, and our annual Wilderness
Risk Management Conference (WRMC) are four specialized services
that will empower you to manage risks within the context of your time,
budget, and organizational priorities.
• 3–10 days

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

Teton Valley
TONY JEWELL 54
 NOLS Wilderness
Medicine Institute
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute offers the highest quality education and information in the prevention, recognition, and treatment of wilderness emergencies.

WILDERNESS EMT (WEMT) EDUCATION FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

This course integrates an urban EMT-Basic course with a WFR into month-long intensive
program that includes clinical rotations with real patients.
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR)
The WFR is geared towards outdoor professionals who lead multi-day to multi-week trips.
This course provides the tools to make important medical and evacuation decisions in
remote locations.
WILDERNESS ADVANCED FIRST AID (WAFA)
Designed for those traveling or working in remote areas who need a more extensive training
program than a WFA. Emphasis is placed on long term patient care management and specific
injury evaluation.
WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA)
The WFA introduces trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working
in a remote environment to wilderness medicine principles. You’ll learn how to improvise
equipment, deal with challenging environments, and act with confidence.
Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner, Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Pro-
fessionals, Medicine in the Wild, and Wilderness Medicine Expeditions are all viable options
for existing urban medical professionals to gain wilderness medicine credentials.
Visit www.nols.edu/wmi/courses for more information, dates, and pricing. • 2–26 days
WILDERNESS MEDICINE EXPEDITIONS
These courses offer a variety of opportunities for healthcare professionals to learn practical,
hands-on wilderness medicine while earning continuing education credits. From 2 days to 30,
in the classroom or in the wilderness, we have a program to meet your needs.
• Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals
• Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner
• Wilderness Medicine Expeditions
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER RECERTIFICATION (WFR-R)
This scenario-based course is designed to review and practice evacuation and decision-making
guidelines. It may be used to recertify WAFA, WFR and WEMT (wilderness portion only).

CONTINUING
COURSE LENGTH CPR INCLUDED ACADEMIC CREDIT
ED. CREDIT

WEMT 30 days (200 hours) 9 hours

WFR 9–10 days (80 hours) 3 hours

WAFA 5 days (40 hours) 2 hours

WFA 2–2.5 days (16-20 hours) Variable 1 hour

WFR-R 3 days (24 hours) 1 hour

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BRAD CHRISTENSEN

APPLY NOW. (800) 710-6657 www.nols.edu 

MIKE TREWARTHA

LENA CONLAN BRADLY BONER 56

 Southwest
KYLE DUBA

India
CASS COLMAN

Scandinavia
FREDRIK NORRSELL

Rocky Mountain Alaska

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57 JUAN QUEIROLO TRACY BAYNES – STEP
JOIN NOLS.
CHOOSE YOUR COURSE AND APPLY NOW!
(800) 710-6657 • www.nols.edu

HOW TO APPLY SOLD? TALK TO YOUR PARENTS!

NOLS really is a win-win for students and parents alike.
Psyched on going? Give your parents some reasons to
APPLY ONLINE get excited, too.
The easiest way to apply for a NOLS course is online at www.nols.edu. All you’ll need is contact
information for you and two emergency contacts, answers to a few short-answer questions, and a

1
credit card for the $65 application fee. It should only take 20 minutes or so.
NOLS IS A SCHOOL
APPLY BY PHONE NOLS teaches outdoor skills, helps you develop
Give us a ring at (800) 710-NOLS (6657), and we’ll be happy to fill out the application with an active healthy lifestyle, and instills leadership
you over the phone. It takes a bit more time than the online application (“Can you spell out that skills that apply in any environment. Like most
street name for me?”), but it’s faster than snail mail. Plus, you get to ask questions about educational institutions, NOLS offers academic
the courses you’re interested in, e.g., Is it okay that I’ve never been sailing before? Answer: Yup! credit, financial aid, and a recognized diploma.

APPLY VIA SNAIL MAIL

You can also call us for an application or download the PDF from the web, and then fax or
mail it to us with the $65 non-refundable application fee. If appropriate, be sure to provide
2 BECOME A LEADER
Gain leadership skills that you will use in all areas
of life for the rest of your life. You may find the
several course choices in order of your preference. calling for your career is in outdoor education,
and nobody will prepare you better than NOLS.

3 BUILD YOUR RESUMÉ

This is a unique experience in which you gain
skills critical for any job. NOLS is a highly
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID AT NOLS
regarded institution, and having NOLS on your
We don't want students with limited resources to miss out on the life-changing resumé or college application will set you apart.
experiences of a NOLS course. Each year, NOLS awards over $1.5 million in
scholarships to applicants who show great potential to excel as NOLS students
and who would be unable to attend without financial aid. Partnerships with 4 BECOME AN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD
NOLS teaches Leave No Trace practices. You'll
Western State Colorado University and Central Wyoming College allow you to also gain extensive knowledge of the flora, fauna,
access your Americorps or VA educational funds. Contact us at (800) 710-6657 and environmental issues in the region in which
you study. And all this knowledge translates to
or learn more at www.nols.edu/financialaid.
environmental science credits.

A+ COLLEGE CREDIT
Every NOLS course is approved for college credit, and more than 75 percent of
our college-age students take advantage of this option. For more than 30 years,
5 THE NOLS ALUMNI ADVANTAGE
Being a NOLS alum means that you are part of
a network of 221,000 people world-wide. This
NOLS has offered credit through the University of Utah, one of the nation's network can help you find jobs, find housing,
premier research universities. Furthermore, hundreds of colleges and universities meet people in a new city, and much more.
have accepted NOLS/University of Utah credit or granted their own direct credit.
Learn more at www.nols.edu/credit.

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 National Outdoor Leadership School
284 Lincoln Street
Lander, Wyoming 82520-2848
www.nols.edu | admissions@nols.edu
Phone: (800) 710-NOLS | Fax: (307) 332-1220

THE LEADER IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION

Apply Now. (800) 710-6657  www.nols.edu