…Most successful outdoor retailers take monthly, quarterly, and/or an annual inventory of what they have in stock, what needs to be replaced, and what might need to be added to the store’s shelves. Items that sit ignored on the shelf or are no longer in fashion go in the “50% Off” bin or “sale” rack,…

Here at The National Center for Outdoor Adventure & Education (NCOAE), we just aren’t all that interested in touting the attributes of the materials and products we use while traversing the worldwide wilderness areas in which we work. But every once in a while, we’ll step back and look at a piece of outdoor gear…

…Seems most every human-powered outdoor recreation activity has a language of its own. And the more popular that activity becomes, the more expansive the list of slang words and new terminology become. It’s a way of communicating efficiently with your fellow enthusiasts, and let’s face it, speaking the language makes your part of the group….

…You’ve just finished packing up your gear and made sure that your favorite secret camping spot is in better shape than when you arrived. You’ve disposed of your waste properly and minimized your impact. Suddenly, someone stumbles out of the tree line with a couple of sidekicks, tosses down a backpack and pulls a smartphone…

…Getting your child or teen to look up from their smartphone, put down their Xbox controllers, or step away from the TV can be a chore — and that’s just when you’re calling them to dinner. Mention taking a walk around the block or joining the family on a picnic a local park and witness…

…There are always lessons to be learned on the trail, and they aren’t always related to building a campfire, setting up a tent, or leaving your campsite cleaner than when you arrived. Some of these are life lessons that fall in the category of treating others as you would like to be treated and adhering…

…We’ve created packing and equipment lists to help you properly prepare for your upcoming NCOAE course or training….

Shoshana loves using the outdoors and wilderness to teach about the environment and opportunities for personal growth and development….

Lilly Ade brings a raft of experience in outdoor and wilderness education to her position as a field instructor for NCOAE….

Gabe Issac’s experience and passion for the outdoors and the environment makes her an ideal NCOAE field instructor….

Rachelle Toth is an NCOAE field instructor who is sincerely interested in connecting first-time and returning students to the outdoors….

…Jessica’s lifelong quest is to make the world laugh and instill her love of the great outdoors in others….

Kit Cosper is one of our EMT instructors, propelled in his daily work by an inherent love of learning and knowledge sharing….

…Adam assists NCOAE instructors in the field with activities, lessons, and site management….

…WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) Ten local high school students returned after spending three weeks on a backcountry adventure in Alaska. The students, whose families live at or below the Federal Poverty Level, were awarded a $25,000 Challenge Cost Share Program Grant by the National Park Service. The funding supported the local non-profit group National Center for…

…Two organizations in Wilmington will partner Wednesday for Whole Foods Market’s Community Day to benefit local youth. According to a news release, five percent of all sales at Whole Foods on Oleander will go to the National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education, which is a Wilmington-based non-profit that promotes critical thinking, improved interpersonal relationships…

…The Eastern Divide Trail promises to accommodate bikepacking and hiking alike, offering a trail that will run from Canada to Key West Florida….

…“Look where you want to go!”  I have conveyed this message to wilderness course participants countless times, shouting, screaming, and using hand signals when necessary. Sometimes I’m yelling above the roar of a set of rapids or the sound of an adjacent waterfall.  “Look where you want to go!” I emphatically issue the same advice…

…Concussion recognition and treatment has gotten a lot of attention over the last decade, mostly in the context of youth and professional sports such as tackle football and soccer. It’s even a topic for those who serve in our armed forces. However, confusion over its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment remains widespread.  In an interview with…

…Nobody likes to be hot and sweaty on the trail. But when things turn from being uncomfortable to becoming downright dangerous, it’s time for quick, on-the-spot emergency action.  Heat illness is a range of medical conditions that result from the body’s inability to cope with an elevated heat load. When that occurs, it is more…