Program Reviews

I have a lot to say about my semester course with NOLS. The first major aspect that truly made my course a valuable experience is the skills that I was able to learn. The course advertised hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, canyoneering, and wilderness first aid. In my hiking section, I learned how to move through the backcountry carrying everything I needed on my back. My coursemates and I learned how to make good meals on a camp stove, how to make a good campsite, how to use maps to navigate through the wilderness, and so much more. Our instructors helped our fresh group learn how to work as a cohesive team and how to navigate conflict. We also focused on risk management, and how to keep ourselves safe. This first section was amazing. I feel like I learned so much from the instructors and from my coursemates.

In my river section, my group started to face new challenges. Conflict arose frequently between members, but our instructors gave us the tools to resolve and manage issues. They didn't come in and solve my group's problems but rather guided us through the process. This was a common theme with many of the leadership and interpersonal skills that NOLS teaches. My group and I would learn tools and have real opportunities to put those skills to use. It was an amazing way to learn.

As my course continued into the rock climbing section, I was amazed at the thought and care that went into risk management. Our instructors had built a foundation of good judgment and decision-making in the hiking section, and as our environments and activities changed, those foundations were still vital to the success of the semester.

The wilderness first responder course was one of my favorite sections. I learned how to handle emergency situations, both in and out of the backcountry, as well as how to manage various injuries and illnesses when supplies are short and the time to get to a hospital is long. This section left me feeling prepared to handle any sticky situations I might run into in the future.

All in all, my NOLS experience has helped me in so many ways. I have learned many outdoor skills and I will continue to use them as I begin a career in outdoor education. I learned how to manage conflict in a group, how to lead, and how to follow. The leadership skills are arguably more valuable than the outdoor skills, as they apply to every situation, not just wilderness travel. I have gained a group of amazing friends from my course. We had conflicts and problems throughout our time together, but working through the issues made our connection so much more meaningful in the end. If you want a real experience that will push you to a self you've never imagined, take a NOLS course NOW!

I’m going to spend a lot of time as a parent writing and reviewing the Nols program Nols accepted my daughter and did an orientation in Wyoming for a horseback trip. These are co -ed teen trips. It must happen with all team groups frequently that boys and girls at times make connections and become infatuated with each other other. My daughter and a boy and developed a crush. Nols had no skills to deal with the situation and my daughter and the boy both said they were ridiculed about their crush by the counselors and the other seven girls in the group as there was only 10 kids ,eight girls and two boys. My daughter and the boy opted to leave the camp, which I was never even told that leaving was an option in these programs. We had to pay to extricate our daughter from the Wyoming wilderness because they claimed they were a safety risk I never expected to be charged $9000 in full and then no one ever called. No one ever gave me an explanation. No one will ever call me back to talk about what happened with the counselors. This is not a professional program. This is a sales program.

This course was so much fun and absolutely the best thing I could have chosen to start my gap year. I made so many friends and the course really built my self-confidence for the rest of the year.

Everyone I met, both students and instructors, were so supportive and inspiring. I learned a huge number of both technical and interpersonal skills. I would recommend this course to absolutely anyone. I had never slept in a tent before or really done anything like it, but everyone was so supportive and encouraging, and as long as you are determined to work hard you can absolutely do it!

I have 1 million good things to say about NOLS - if you're wondering about what to do on your gap year this is my no1 suggestion!

NOLS Patagonia semester is an 80-84-day course where we started with sea kayaking and went on to the hiking and rock climbing sections. I was initially nervous as I am an Indian and did not know Spanish, but the warm welcome and support I received from the NOLS staff helped me overcome this obstacle. The NOLS base in Coyhaique was beautiful as was Chile's country and culture. Before starting this 84-day journey, we learned much about Chilean culture and maté. We packed rations, took care of the equipment that would be needed on this trip, and went over the route that we would take. After all this Patagonia still managed to take my breath away as the terrain was stunningly beautiful from the oceans to the mountains the serenity of Patagonia was clear. We learned different skills in sea kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing and worked on individual and team goals with the support of our amazing instructors. Safety, Risk management, and LNT were the three main topics we focused on in our everyday routine, whether it was sea kayaking, hiking, or rock climbing. The highlight of my trip was the Independent Student Group Expedition (ISGE)
at the end of the three sections or ration period, students choose a route to hike on for 10 days without the instructors in a group of 4 to 5 people where we students plan our rations
for 10 days. We as a group decided to hike through two high passes on our 10-day route and 2 peak ascends. I had fun getting challenged differently navigating through the forests and oceans of Patagonia and learning the skills needed to do it safely. I would recommend this course to anyone who is looking for a new perspective, challenges, and a lot of fun while doing it.

I had an incredible experience with NOLS. I learned so much about outdoor living, leadership, and myself. From meditative moments, to very practical skills I’ve used backpacking since, NOLS gave me so much! I had fantastic instructors - they were smart, capable, interesting, and kind - true professionals. I also made some great friends - you really get to know people out in the wilderness. Ultimately, it was one of the greatest months of my life. Such a unique and cool experience that I’ll never forget.

I think this program is an excellent mix of being far out in the wilderness combined with a significant and meaningful cultural interaction. It was refreshing to be truly off the grid in a sense where you were isolated to the point of not even seeing other backpackers on the trail for good portions of the trip but at the same time learning about the cultures of India and getting to pass through villages on the trek and interact with them. I think within the NOLS environment this blend was a unique mix and one I didn't appreciate going into things.

I participated in the Pacific Coastal Expedition from NOLS Patagonia branch during a gap year between high school and college. I had always heard about NOLS courses and how they were "life-changing." I didn't buy it. It seemed like more responsibility and commitment than I wanted on my gap year. Looking back on it, I can't imagine a better way to spend a month in a year where my priorities were to grow and develop into a better human being. NOLS taught me the value of mental toughness and grit. While those seem like things that could be learned in a less extreme environment, I have yet to find an opportunity that has given me the same perspective and compassion that my NOLS trip did. Every day on a NOLS trip is a life lesson and you leave your trip with a wealth of knowledge about yourself and the world around you. It has been over a year since my trip and I think about it every single day in one way or another. For anyone who is hesitant about taking part in a NOLS trip, I would say it will always seem more difficult to handle until you're in it and to take the plunge. You will not regret it!!

3 month in the Patagonia wilderness with NOLS is an experience I would never trade for the world due to the strength of their community and ability to teach valuable lessons in a new context. Spending a long amount of time in the outdoors is a challenge for any individual and in addition this experience took place in a foreign country. Naturally these circumstances allow for life long bonding and NOLS enhances your ability to grasp life skills applicable to more than just the outdoors. I learned how to and how not to make critical decisions in bigger group dynamics enriching my communication skills as a whole

This program was one of the best decisions I have made. I learned the technical skills of back country living. More importantly, they taught leadership skills that I have taken into my professional and personal life. Above all, the friendships that I cultivated made my time in Alaska worthwhile. I would recommend a nols alaska course to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone to emerge a better person. While nols is a leadership school, it gives you the opportunity to explore nature and have time to be alone with your thoughts which is not so easy in today's world.

My daughter participated in this program in 2021. We bought the tuition insurance recommended by NOLS through AON. She unfortunately had an injury and needed evacuation. The evacuation was not too expensive as she did not need medical eval and flew out on a puppy helicopter. But 1/3 of her trip was cancelled. The AON insurance was a joke. I am still trying to get them to pay out the claim for her lost tuition . The policy was titled "Tuition reimbursment insurance" and AON had the audacity to say it does not cover tuition reimbursement, read the fine print! Unreal! DO NOT BUY AON insurance!
Here is the benefits listed on the policy and they will not pay!
Benefit Maximum Benefit Amount/Principal Sum
Part A – Travel Arrangement Protection
Trip Interruption .................................. 100% of Total Tuition
Travel Delay (up to $150 per day) ................................ $300
Baggage Delay ............................................................. $300
Part B – Travel Insurance Benefits
Accidental Death & Dismemberment ....................... $10,000
Emergency Medical Evacuation and
Repatriation of Remains…… ................................. $100,000