Expeditions
Weeks in the backcountry. Skills for a lifetime.
200+ courses
Summer Teen Courses
The summer that changes everything.
70+ courses
Semester & Year
Go deeper. Go further. Come back different.
30+ courses
Wilderness Medicine
The certification trusted in the field.
200+ courses
WE ARE GLOBAL
Learn by doing
With the leader in outdoor education
At NOLS, you learn by doing. With the wilderness as your classroom and expert instructors as mentors, you'll build backcountry skills, leadership, and judgment, graduating prepared to lead and thrive in complex environments.
Choose your path
The NOLS Difference
Built for the real world
Every NOLS course is designed to develop leaders who thrive in uncertainty, with real skills that transfer to every part of life.
Leadership in the field
Lead real expeditions. Make real decisions. Build the kind of leadership that employers, admissions offices, and communities recognize and value.
Expert instruction
Learn from instructors with decades of field experience, mentors who've dedicated their lives to outdoor education and helping students find their potential.
Leave No Trace
NOLS founded the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Environmental stewardship isn't just something we teach, it's part of who we are.
From the blog
Stories from the field
Exploring the World and Finding Yourself: The Power of a Gap Year After High School
Discover the power of taking a gap year after high school—adventure, cultural immersion, and self-reflection highlight this transformative experience.
Top 10 Best Gap Year Programs for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Discover the best Gap Year Programs for Outdoor Enthusiasts! From East Africa’s cultural immersion to the PNW’s wilderness skill development, embark on unforgettable adventures with NOLS.
Gap Year Pros and Cons: Solo vs. Group
Explore the gap year pros and cons of solo vs. group programs to find the right balance for you between independence and shared experiences.
For organizations
Custom programs for teams
Build confidence, resilience, and leadership through expeditions designed for your organization.
Custom Expeditions
Tailored programs for organizations, from expeditions to wilderness medicine training, designed to build leadership, resilience, and confidence.
Risk Management
The Wilderness Risk Management Conference and consulting services for organizations choosing responsible leadership in the outdoors.
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Resources
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Talk to someone who's been there
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Find a course in print or digital
Online wilderness medicine
Start learning from anywhere
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Your adventure starts here
Find the course that's right for you, talk to an advisor, or request a free catalog.
