Outdoor Adventures | National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education | Teen Adventures | EMT Training
  • About
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact

(910) 399-8090 Start Your Request

  • Courses
    • Adult Expeditions
    • Gap Year / Semester
    • Instructor Course
    • Teen Expeditions
    • Schools / Universities
  • Medical Training
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Wilderness Medicine
  • Custom Programs
  • Become an NCOAE Field Instructor
December 18 2020

Outdoor Activities Getting Stale? Re-ignite Your Inner Beginner

By Stephen Mullaney on December 18, 2020 Leave a Comment
  • Posted in:
  • NCOAE Recommends
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

They say you never forget your first kiss. And while that’s very sweet and sometimes even true, the point I’m going to attempt to make is this:

If you’re an avid surfer, rock climber, or backcountry enthusiast, there are times when you look back on your first epic outdoor adventure. Sometimes it’s with a grin, and sometimes it’s with a grimace.

What we’re going to do in the next couple of posts in this new series here on the NCOAE blog is to ask you to consider rebooting your minds and think back to your initial foray into your favorite human-powered outdoor adventures.

Maybe you remember paddling into your first wave and just lying on the board until the person next to you leans over and says, “Hey, jump to your feet without thinking about it. It’s easy.” And so, you do — and you’re amazed how effortlessly it was. And it’s been 10 seconds and you’re still standing up, riding the foam, wondering where that sense of balance came from.

Photo by Julian Bialowas on Unsplash

Same for the time you put on your climbing gear and successfully made your way up a challenging route. Or paddled your kayak straight toward a stretch of angry rapids.

Is it the adrenalin rush that got you hooked on your particular activity in the first place? Was it the ever-pleasant dopamine blast? More important, do you still get that feeling of excitement every time you participate in that activity or has it become routine?

If your answer is in the affirmative, head out and continue to do your thing. However, if the thrill is gone, or greatly reduced, keep reading.
Re-igniting Your Inner Beginner
At The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education, we put a lot of effort into producing outcome-based trainings and courses. In fact, skillfully designing and facilitating AEE Accredited outdoor and adventure-based programming requires that our students experience a desired outcome.

It’s in our DNA here at NCOAE to ensure that occurs. Our leadership team makes sure of it. If you’re going to try something here, you’d better have a plan.

Sometimes it’s difficult:

Continue Reading
December 04 2020

Inspiration Through a Journey of Exploration — Part Three: Outdoor Magazines

By Stephen Mullaney on December 4, 2020 Leave a Comment
  • Posted in:
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

As you’re probably already aware, outdoor magazines such as Bike, Surfer, Powder and Snowboarder have all shuttered their windows and shut down their presses. So now what? Where do you turn for some real human-powered and adventure-based outdoor and journalism? And by journalism, we’re not talking about tweets, posts, and pieces written in and curated by whatever advertising banner flies across a website or social media platform.

Print journalism — especially outdoor magazines — is supposed to show an investment in credibility. Its printed editions say, we care and we are serious about what we do. And how do you gain access to a quality outdoor journal? You pay for it, that’s how.

We have no problem spending money for independent music, artisan foods and craft beer, as well as the artists we really want to see. To obtain those experiences, we go buy the vinyl, we shop the local markets, we attend the art shows, and we actively support these ventures.

But today, the majority of our best journalists, photographers, editors, and artists are independent operators, some contributing to outdoor journals such as Adventure Cyclist Magazine, BikePacker Magazine (now part of Bikepacking.com), The Surfers Journal, and Adventure Journal. Unfortunately, these magazines could soon disappear if we don’t continue to support their work.

Outdoor Adventure Magazines

“Ah,” you say, “But I can view any of these journals on their websites and see what they are doing.” Yes and no.

Yes, you can see the work of these journals — and their journalists — online, and indeed, the quality of the photography is beautiful, and the writing is inspiring. With just a click of a mouse, you can get a fair representation of what a slick, colorful, hold-in-your-hand magazine can give you. But not quite.

Print magazines and journals are the best! They physically arrive on your doorstep and you devour them so fast you can’t wait for the next to arrive. And the next issue won’t arrive for another three months! So, you keep your back issues. Another plus, no need to plug in, boot up, log on, and go into a search box to find words to read and beautiful pictures to help you escape.

Three months between issues? Sometimes! Quality takes time. 

We’re not saying online journalism is without merit. But, honestly, in a short time, online articles are shuffled off to Recent Posts archives, mistakes and typos are corrected and edited. But once a magazine or journal is printed and in your hands, it is

Continue Reading

Get Blog Posts by Email

Categories

  • About NCOAE (13)
  • Academic Credit (4)
  • Adult Courses (4)
  • Adventure Education (3)
  • AEE (3)
  • Backcountry Prep (12)
  • Blog (1)
  • Campfire Conversations (1)
  • Conferences (6)
  • Custom Programs (9)
  • Education Without Walls (10)
  • EMT Training (6)
  • Experiential Education (3)
  • Funding News (4)
  • In The News (4)
  • Inspiration (3)
  • International Expeditions (4)
  • Land Management (4)
  • Life At NCOAE (7)
  • NCOAE Curriculum (9)
  • NCOAE Recommends (17)
  • Outdoor Education (6)
  • Outdoor Education News (5)
  • Outdoor Education Research (3)
  • Outdoor Educator Training (6)
  • Outdoor Equipment (2)
  • Outdoor Lingo (3)
  • Risk Management (4)
  • Staff Profiles (17)
  • Student Profiles (1)
  • Teen Courses (4)
  • Training & Certifications (4)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • Wilderness (4)
  • Wilderness Cooking (5)
  • Wilderness First Responder Training (1)
  • Wilderness Medicine Training (3)
  • Working at NCOAE (9)

Search

Recent Posts

  • From Couch Potato to Hiker in Just 4 to 6 Weeks April 16, 2021
  • Thinking About Going to Med School? Start with EMT Training and Certification March 29, 2021
  • Mother Nature Requests a Non-Disclosure Agreement on Secret Spots March 17, 2021
  • How to Become an EMT March 9, 2021
  • Returning to School? We Want to Help you Safely Opt Out(side) February 19, 2021

Tags

AEE Alaska Association for Experiential Education Backpacking Celine Adair College Credit COVID-19 Custom Course Custom Training Do It Yourself Education Without Walls Elizabeth Shirley Employment Opportunities EMT EMT-Basic Holly Goddard Jones Hurricane Florence Instructor Candidate Course Julius McAdams Leave No Trace Matt Evans National Park Service NCOAE Curriculum Nepal Osprey Packs Outdoor Educator Course Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Retailer Patagonia Risk Management School Programs Stephen Mullaney Summer to School Transition Tents The Salt Line UNCW University of North Carolina Wilmington Vertex Outreach Services Vertex Railcar Corp. Water Purification Wesley Hawkins Whole Foods Market Wilderness First Responder Wilderness Risk Management Conference Zac Adair

Archives

  • April 2021 (1)
  • March 2021 (3)
  • February 2021 (1)
  • January 2021 (3)
  • December 2020 (2)
  • November 2020 (2)
  • October 2020 (2)
  • September 2020 (2)
  • August 2020 (1)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • April 2020 (2)
  • March 2020 (2)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (2)
  • December 2019 (2)
  • November 2019 (2)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (1)
  • July 2019 (2)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • May 2019 (2)
  • April 2019 (2)
  • March 2019 (2)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • November 2018 (1)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (2)
  • August 2018 (1)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • March 2018 (2)
  • February 2018 (2)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (2)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (2)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (2)
  • May 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (2)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (3)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (2)
  • August 2016 (1)
  • July 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (2)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • March 2016 (2)
  • February 2016 (2)
  • January 2016 (4)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (3)
  • July 2015 (1)
  • June 2015 (1)
  • May 2015 (2)
  • April 2015 (2)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (2)
  • January 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (3)
  • October 2014 (3)
  • September 2014 (4)
  • August 2014 (6)
  • July 2014 (5)
  • June 2014 (1)
  • May 2014 (2)
  • April 2014 (2)
  • March 2014 (2)
  • February 2014 (5)
  • January 2014 (3)
  • December 2013 (1)
Outdoor Adventures | National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education | Teen Adventures | EMT Training
AEE Accredited since 2015
AEE Accredited since 2015
  • Contact
  • Phone: (910) 399-8090
  • Fax: (888) 399-5957
  • Email: info@ncoae.org
  • Admissions Disclosures
  • Refund & Transfer Policy
  • Essential Eligibility Criteria
  • Quick Links
  • About
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Courses
  • Medical Training
  • Custom Programs
  • Become an NCOAE Field Instructor
  • Communicate
  • Contact
  • Website Feedback
  • Leave a Review
  • Submit Testimonial
  • Affiliations and Resources
  • Request a Catalog
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Education Courses / Limited Availability
  • Image of students whitewater rafting in the Pacific Northwest.

    Pacific Northwest | Backpacking & Whitewater | Outdoor Educator

    • 25 days
    • Jul 06, 2021 - Jul 30, 2021
    • Sep 28, 2021 - Oct 22, 2021
    • 3 Spots Available
    Photo of NCOAE Field Instructors backpacking on a teen mountain expedition.

    North Carolina | Teen Mountain Expedition

    • 7 days
    • Jun 17, 2021 - Jun 23, 2021
    • Jul 15, 2021 - Jul 21, 2021
    • 2 Spots Available
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions of Use

©2021. The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). All rights reserved.

  • Courses
    • Adult Expeditions
    • Gap Year / Semester
    • Instructor Course
    • Teen Expeditions
    • Schools / Universities
  • Medical Training
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Wilderness Medicine
  • Custom Programs
  • Become an NCOAE Field Instructor
  • About
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact
Update: Coronavirus (COVID-19) course, training, and travel info.