Overview

GAIN CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

ON A NOLS EXPEDITION

 

Take time for your future on a NOLS gap year. NOLS created the original wilderness semester and we continue to lead the way - just like our graduates. On any semester or year course, learn multiple outdoor skills and gain in-depth leadership skills through an extensive hands-on progression guided by your instructors. 

We prepare students for school, teamwork and life through a proven curriculum. Using an extensive hands-on approach, NOLS instructors teach expedition skills such as rock climbing, backpacking, sea kayaking, mountaineering, and wilderness medicine, paired with experiential learning in leadership and decision-making. Choose from a classic 30-day wilderness expedition or an immersive semester.

Whereever in the world you travel with NOLS, you will emerge with confidence, competence, direction, courage and perspective.

Cost and Session Information

Fall 2019

Fall Semester for Outdoor Educators

Fall Semester in Baja

Fall Semester in East Africa

Fall Semester in India

Fall Semester in the Pacific Northwest

Fall Semester in Patagonia

Fall Semester in the Rockies

Fall Semester in the Southwest

Fall Semester in New Zealand

Spring 2020

Spring Semester for Outdoor Educators

Spring Semester in Baja

Spring Semester in India

Spring Semester in Patagonia

Spring Semester in the Rockies

Spring Semester in the Southwest

Spring Semester in New Zealand

Summer 2020

Summer Semester  in Alaska

Summer Semester in the Yukon 

Summer Semester in the Rockies 

 

Related Listings

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NOLS Baja Coastal Sailing

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NOLS Baja Sea Kayaking

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NOLS Himalaya Backpacking

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Push yourself to climb high mountain passes. Explore quiet coves and paddle along pebbled beaches. Prepare yourself with skills to respond in an emergency. On ... (more)

NOLS Patagonia Coastal Expedition

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NOLS Scandinavian Backpacking

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NOLS Spring Semester in India

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NOLS Spring Semester in the Rockies

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NOLS Spring Semester in the Southwest

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NOLS Gap Year in Patagonia - Argentina

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NOLS Wind River Wilderness

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NOLS Absaroka Backpacking

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NOLS Alaska Backpacking

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NOLS Alaska Mountaineering

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NOLS Waddington Range Mountaineering

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NOLS Wind River Mountaineering

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NOLS Yukon Backpacking

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Show More

Participant Reviews

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Testimonials

One thing’s for sure, I would not have been the same person if I had just gone to college after high school. As a college student now I realize just how sweet the whole NOLS experience was. I personally think if everyone took a NOLS trip sometime after high school, the world would be a better place.

- Elianna, Fall Semester in Baja - Nov. 21, 2015

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way.

- Simon, Fall Semester in the Southwest - Nov. 27, 2013

A NOLS course provides an excellent transition from high school to university because it is a generous gift of time and adventure to reflect on where you have been, who you are, and who you would like to become. Its challenges require personal growth, especially in teamwork and other interpersonal skills. It requires students to disconnect from their digital world for an extended period, providing space for them to come to know and appreciate our national world.

- Chuck Lovelace, Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program Executive Director - April 12, 2016

Parents have concerns about their children going off to college, and having an intermediate step for kids is a good thing… They are better prepared for adversity and challenges in life because they’ve experienced adversity and challenges at NOLS.

- Debi and Scott Flora, talking about their daughter Larkin, Semester in Baja 2007. - April 4, 2007

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way

- Simon, Fall Semester in the Southwest - Nov. 27, 2013

Life will keep showing me new challenges and testing my values, my strength, my focus. NOLS reminded me that most of what I need already exists within me, if I can get out of my own way to let it be free.

- Hayley, Spring Semester in New Zealand - Nov. 4, 2018

Participant Reviews

Write a Review

This program hasn't been reviewed yet. Write the first review!

Testimonials

One thing’s for sure, I would not have been the same person if I had just gone to college after high school. As a college student now I realize just how sweet the whole NOLS experience was. I personally think if everyone took a NOLS trip sometime after high school, the world would be a better place.

- Elianna, Fall Semester in Baja - Nov. 21, 2015

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way.

- Simon, Fall Semester in the Southwest - Nov. 27, 2013

A NOLS course provides an excellent transition from high school to university because it is a generous gift of time and adventure to reflect on where you have been, who you are, and who you would like to become. Its challenges require personal growth, especially in teamwork and other interpersonal skills. It requires students to disconnect from their digital world for an extended period, providing space for them to come to know and appreciate our national world.

- Chuck Lovelace, Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program Executive Director - April 12, 2016

Parents have concerns about their children going off to college, and having an intermediate step for kids is a good thing… They are better prepared for adversity and challenges in life because they’ve experienced adversity and challenges at NOLS.

- Debi and Scott Flora, talking about their daughter Larkin, Semester in Baja 2007. - April 4, 2007

Away from technology, social norms, and societal restrictions I felt free, and excited for life at all times. That is a feeling that I will never forget and one that I will continue to strive for throughout my life… I truly believe that my NOLS course was the turning point in my life, and I emerged from it a better person in every way

- Simon, Fall Semester in the Southwest - Nov. 27, 2013

Life will keep showing me new challenges and testing my values, my strength, my focus. NOLS reminded me that most of what I need already exists within me, if I can get out of my own way to let it be free.

- Hayley, Spring Semester in New Zealand - Nov. 4, 2018

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