…A few years ago, we ran a three-part series on slogans, slang, and terminology as it applies to a trio of human-powered outdoor recreational activities. If you recall, we started out with some “gnarly” surfing terms, then we “tied in” to a conversation about climbing, finally pulling a “wet exit” on the language of paddling….

…It may surprise you to learn that drownings — along with heart attacks and falls — are among the leading causes of death for those who venture into the wilderness for recreation or education in the United States. Statistics show that there are nearly 4,000 fatal drownings each year in the United States, with a…

The headquarters of the National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is right here in Wilmington, North Carolina. There are various programs and courses available for people who want to experience the wilderness – including Education Without Walls for chronically homeless / impoverished youth. Support for the program comes through volunteers, gifts-in-kind, and underwriting…

It’s pretty well known that we here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) are experts when it comes to training our Knowledge is the key to successful actions in a medical emergency, whether that be on the side of a city street or in a remote wilderness setting….

…Wilmington’s National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education teaches young people leadership, self-reliance. SNOWS CUT — Bouncing between homes for much of his childhood, 16-year-old Quenton Bowman used to have a hard time trusting people. Then he went outside. Bowman is one of 800 New Hanover County students served over the past decade by the…

…NCOAE‘s SOAP Notes can help you keep your emergency wilderness medical care thorough and organized, keep reading to learn more!…

WILMINGTON — Nine Wilmington-area teens from chronically homeless families just spent three weeks calling Alaska home. The trip was organized by the National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), a Wilmington-based non-profit in the same vein of NOLS or Outward Bound. Largely funded by a $25,000 Challenge Cost Share Program Grant from the National…

…This summer, ten local teens will fly to Alaska, take a small plane into the back country, and spend three weeks hiking and clearing trails. These days, many young people go on similar organized wilderness adventures, but these Wilmington teens are not typical participants. They all have either been identified as “chronically homeless” or they…

…In the world of emergency medical services (EMS), future EMTs and paramedics accept the reality that their immediate future includes hundreds of hours of lectures, extensive bookwork, and plenty of written tests.  Each of these students has an objective in mind for taking EMT training courses, and their reasons are many. Some are looking to…

…When it comes to emergency medicine — whether in an urban setting or the backcountry — swift and accurate assessments play a pivotal role in determining the severity and progression of an injury and deciding the best course of action.  The decisions you make regarding treatment, evacuation, and transportation in cases of non-obvious threats to…

Aly Topscher has been a field instructor at The National Center for Outdoor and Adventure Education (NCOAE) since 2021. Previously, she worked as a naturalist/outdoor educator for Naturalists at Large in Ventura, California. Before that, Aly was a rental technician at Big Bear Ski Resort at Big Bear Lake, CA.  It was while working for…

Carrie Kraft is a field instructor and rafting guide at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). With more than 15 years of experience of leading trips and guiding activities within the outdoor education sector of the outdoor industry, Carrie admits to having an enormous passion for sharing her love of wilderness with…

Wesley is an assistant instructor at NCOAE with experience in backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater canoeing and camp craft….

…For EMT’s, caring for ourselves often comes second to caring for others. Here are a few tips to help you take better care of your physical and mental well-being….

With extensive field experience in emergency medical services, Clifton Bannerman serves as an EMT Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). Clifton, who was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, brings a wealth of experience to his role. From working as a paramedic with Novant Health New Hanover Emergency Medical…

John Del Percio is an EMT Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), where he brings a number of unique professional experiences to his role. With a background that spans from high-volume suburban 911 systems to the remote and harsh environments of McMurdo Station, Antarctica, John’s career reflects a commitment to…

Paige Shogi is an EMT Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), where she a unique blend of medical and educational experience to the team.Hailing from Hickory, North Carolina, Paige is also full-time paramedic in New Hanover County, NC. She previously worked as an EMT in Hickory, NC, where she built…

…With more than a quarter of a century of Fire EMS and Public Safety experience, David Bullard serves as the EMT Training Program Director at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). Born and raised in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, David’s experience ranges from being a firefighter and paramedic, to posts as fire captain…

…In the safety and comfort of the modern world, we often forget that the natural world can be a dangerous, unforgiving, and uncaring place. For many of us who love wilderness and the backcountry, that’s large part of its attraction.  We choose to explore areas where some fear to go,  and we participate in activities…

By Staff Reports The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) has been awarded full accreditation by Cognia, a nonprofit organization recognized globally for its commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence, according to a news release. Based in Wilmington, NCOAE launched its first courses in Pisgah National Forest in 2009. The organization creates…