NOLS Semester for Outdoor Educators

I loved this semester. It was the absolute best choice I have ever made. There was a perfect balance between challenge and feedback to improve. I pushed myself hard and learned all sorts of skills -from how to read a map to how to pack and walk efficiently. I tried so many things for the first time, some that I loved, and some that were terrifying. I hiked in snow up to my waist, struggled up rock faces, and swam through slot canyons. I also made friends that have changed the way I look at the world. I watched the sun rise over calm waters, and skiied in the moonlight. My NOLS course will stick with me for the rest of my life.

I was only able to do a shorter Outdoor Educator course with NOLS. While I wish I had done a semester, my month in the field was still fantastic. The course had 12 other educators and three instructors. Everyone came from different backgrounds; some were classroom teachers, others worked in the outdoors. We traveled through the Beartooth Mountains in Montana- which was beautiful. We didn't see any other groups while we were in the field and that year there was a lot of snow pack, so we were camping on snow most of the time. The days were packed with backpacking, climbing camp and class time. I truly feel that the course improved my technical outdoor, as well as teaching skills. I can highly recommend an Outdoor Educator course to anyone who is interested in working in the outdoors or wants to improve their teaching.