LEARNING GOALS

NOLS courses teach wilderness and leadership skills on expeditions and in classrooms. You will apply these skills to challenges in a supportive learning culture with high expectations. You’ll have the opportunity for a positive, transformational experience and leave your course inspired and empowered to act.

We craft NOLS courses so 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, on teams, and in communities

Care for themselves and others

Understand their strengths, habits, and areas for growth

Function under difficult circumstances

Make informed and thoughtful decisions

Communicate effectively

Connect with natural places

Appreciate living simply

CORE CURRICULUM FOR EXPEDITIONS

LEADERSHIP

NOLS teaches leadership as, “situationally appropriate action that directs or guides your group to set and achieve goals.” Students will be able to:

Serve a team in a variety of roles: self leader, peer leader, designated leader, and active follower

Demonstrate good expedition behavior—take initiative, balance group and personal goals, and remain respectful and inclusive of their team members

Demonstrate competence

Communicate effectively

Make sound decisions

Display a tolerance for adversity and uncertainty

Demonstrate self awareness

Display initiative by setting and achieving goals

WILDERNESS SKILLS

NOLS teaches the expedition skills necessary to live and travel in the wilderness. Students will be able to:

Live comfortably (select a campsite; set up shelter; organize, pack, and maintain gear; cook; manage nutrition; and use clothing as protection from the elements)

Travel (hike, climb, paddle, row, sail, ski, snowboard, cave, and/or horsepack)

Navigate using maps, charts, compass, GPS, and/or terrain

Prevent, assess, and treat injury and illness in the wilderness

RISK MANAGEMENT

NOLS teaches risk management by applying leadership and wilderness skills and facilitating experiences to develop judgment. Students will be able to:

Identify and assess hazards and understand risks in the wilderness

Use technical skills, leadership, judgment, and situational awareness to manage risks

Use risk management terminology and models to assess and communicate decisions and actions

Create and implement contingency plans

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

NOLS connects students to wild places. Students will be able to:

Explore the natural world through observation and application of ecological concepts

Develop a sense of place by experiencing wilderness and exploring relationships with their surroundings

Articulate an environmental ethic

Understand land management and environmental issues

Apply Leave No Trace principles to camping and travel

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