National Outdoor Leadership School

Only answer this question if you have been on a NOLS course. Did the school meet your expectations? Were the course levels (based on difficult/challenging) where you expected them?

(Disclaimer: I now work for NOLS, I will try to answer as a grad only)

I went on a Semester in the Rockies course in 2001. It very much met my expectations. I would say that my expectations were learning technical skills involved in extended backcountry travel. By the end of the course I felt confident to lead people on extended trips, proficiency with map and compass, meal planning and cooking (i was a horrible cook most of the course though), technical rope skills, knots, rappel and rope-rescue technique, cave and canyon orienteering, I got wilderness first responder certified, how to travel in avalanche terrain and asses avalanche danger. After the climbing section I felt I could successfully set up top-ropes for friends but not trad-style lead climbs. The rope skills and knots were the first to leave my brain (after about 1.5 years of not practicing)

Also I went on the course to give me some time to figure out personal future goals. I expected it to be challenging and was actually very nervous before my course. The first section was a Winter Camping section and it was very brutal the first few days. I didn't think I would be able to keep up, stay warm, and was very worried until about day 4 when I got into a groove. The rest of the entire semester from climbing to caving to a canyon hiking section was physically difficult but the mental stress was gone. I think that I became accustomed to the weight of the pack, the long days of physical activity, and it just became fun.

Depending on your expectations there are different course types. I would say that if you are super motivated and want a mature learning environment I would lean towards an outdoor educator course.

It was because I enjoyed it so much that I sought it out for employment 6 years later.

2010-05-19 12:17:58 by skittlesss

Bruce Palmer from The National Outdoor Leadership School joins The Balancing Act to introduce viewers to a life transforming educational ...

If you have any information on it it would be great!

It's NOLS and it's top notch. http://www.nols.edu/

2008-01-18 16:43:26 by lala

I am Applying to NOLS National Out Door Leadership School for the fall semester for the Outdoor educator/ Wilderness First Responder. With the intent of working for the national parks as a WFR. I would like to know if any one has attended this School or this course and how they liked it also a little about our experience while there and if you have any advice.
Thank-you everyone for all your help.

Yes, I have...and love it. Good luck.

2009-02-14 22:12:36 by onthemove

Hey im thinking of going to NOLS, and was wondering what its like? is it a college like you stay in dorms?

im also wondering if its a great place to meet people who love the outdoor adventures and traveling? thanks! :)

At NOLS you do not stay in dorms, the classrooms are out in the wilderness and the dorms are tents, igloos, or sleeping under the stars. There are a few days in between sections where you might be at a NOLS location. The only dorm-like rooms are at the NOLS Rocky Mountain location where you would stay at the NOLS owned Noble Hotel before and after your course.

It is a very great place to meet people who love adventures and traveling. I think the best way to meet some of these people is to join the discussions on the NOLS facebook page http://www.facebook.com/NOLSpage You can also get a sense of what a course is like by searching NOLS on flickr.com and youtube.com

2010-08-28 23:50:07 by

What is it like day to day?
Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
What does it do to you physically?

I highly recommend NOLS. My brother and I are alumni and have thoroughly enjoyed our experiences with NOLS. NOLS provides a superb outdoor education. Throughout the course our helpful, kind, and experienced instructors taught us the tools needed to function properly in the backcountry as a group. We touched areas such as leadership, backcountry cooking, safety management, first aid, navigation, explored the principals of leave no trace, and much more.

The course I selected was more for beginners, and taught the basics of backcountry travel. Although I was already experienced in these matters, I still learned a lot. The course I selected was a backpacking one in Wyoming/ Idaho. A basic day begins by cooking breakfast. At the beginning of the course each cooking group is issued a NOLS cookbook that consist of various recipes such as cinnamon rolls, pizza, hash browns, etc... The instructors teach you how to make such foods, then you can make them if desired. The food is pretty good and much more tasty than the Mountain House slop I usually gobble down on the trail. However NOLS does not do lunch, instead you are given snacks. Usually after breakfast you pack up camp by a certain time. After that the hole group meets, you have a lesson, plot out your day, and study the maps before departing for your next destination. The instructors are there to help you each step of the way. Throughout the day you take breaks. Pace is usually determined by the slowest member of the group. Our schedule was pretty slack, so our pace was casual. Once we reached our destination we had another meeting to discuss your day. Then you set up camp and cook dinner. After dinner you normally have another class to finish the day up.

During NOLS you are expected to be a member of the group, participate, and help others. The whole point of the course is to make you a leader and become educated in the outdoors. Throughout the course our instructors selected leaders of the day. We broke into smaller groups and the leader would be in charge. It was the leaders duty to encourage others to participate, maintain group order, and issue directions. When the course is over you receive a grade based on your over all performance as a leader and as a follower. Things such as helping or instructing others in need, or doing extra duties around camp like helping someone get water, help not only your grade but also the group. NOLS will teach you a series of points called "expedition behavior" that show you how to be part of a group and work efficiently with one another.

Physically, it helps to be in shape when you enter the course. It is important that have some sort of athletic activity each day and be in pretty good shape. I am a year around competitive swimmer, and even I found some days very tiring. I lost a lot of weight on the trip and got some beastly leg muscles. These trips are not for the average lazy bum, so it helps to be driven and active.

daily routines differ depending on course. if you are having trouble deciding if NOLS is right for you, contact or consult NOLS directly. they are very helpful !!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-10 02:24:05 by RondaldW