Semester Life
Life on Campus
Building a Strong Academic Foundation
During the NCOAE Summer Semester, life on campus offers students a structured environment where they engage in a rigorous Honors-level Natural Science and Principles of Leadership curriculum. Here, students have access to classroom resources, labs, and expert instructors, allowing them to dive deep into advanced scientific topics. Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and research projects, students build a solid foundation in natural science principles, from ecology and biology to earth sciences. The campus setting fosters focused learning, where students can explore complex theories and prepare for field applications.
In addition to academics, campus life encourages leadership development through workshops, role-playing scenarios, and teamwork exercises. Students gain key leadership principles that they’ll soon apply in outdoor settings. The structured schedule includes time for both study and collaborative activities, preparing students for the hands-on challenges they will face in the wilderness.
Daily Schedules
Life In the Field
Hands-On Learning and Leadership in Action
Once students transition into the field, the learning experience shifts from theoretical to practical. Life in the field offers a dynamic, immersive environment where students apply the scientific concepts they’ve learned on campus directly to real-world situations. Whether it’s conducting environmental research, identifying plant and animal species, or practicing conservation techniques, students experience nature firsthand. With unpredictable elements like weather, terrain, and wildlife, the field provides the ultimate outdoor classroom.
Field life also emphasizes experiential education in outdoor leadership. Students practice backcountry skills, navigation, and Leave No Trace principles, all while working as a team to tackle challenges like setting up camp, cooking, and managing group dynamics. Leadership isn’t just discussed in the classroom—it’s lived every day as students take turns leading their peers through the wilderness, making decisions under pressure, and solving problems collaboratively.
The Balance
Academic Excellence Meets Outdoor Adventure
The combination of campus-based learning and field-based application provides a unique educational experience that bridges theory and practice. On campus, students gain in-depth scientific knowledge and leadership training. In the field, they put those lessons to the test, developing resilience, adaptability, and a deeper connection to the natural world. This balance ensures that students emerge from the program not only with academic credits and certifications in Outdoor Leadership and Leave No Trace, but with the confidence and skills to lead in both the classroom and the wilderness.