Expeditions
Wilderness First Responder (Hybrid) – North Carolina
…Our industry-standard wilderness medicine course provides hands-on medical training combined with skills in outdoor leadership and critical thinking….
Expeditions
Wilderness First Responder Recertification – Oregon (Hybrid)
…Our industry-standard wilderness medicine course provides hands-on medical training combined with skills in outdoor leadership and critical thinking….
Accreditation
We Did It! NCOAE is Now Accredited by Cognia
…Last September, we told you we were seeking accreditation from a trio of the nation’s top accrediting bodies: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). And today, we’re pleased…
NCOAE Recommends
Recommended Reads: Turning the Page on Adventure
As another summer draws to a close, your adventures may have come, gone, or never materialized. No matter which one of these is part of your Summer 2019 your story, it’s always nice to stay in the adventure mindset. That’s why we here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education decided to put…
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Staff Profiles
Meet the Staff: Kassie Kehrer, NCOAE Executive Assistant
Kassie Kehrer is our new executive assistant, tasked with ensuring the efficiency of our Wilmington, N.C., office here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE). In addition, Kassie is responsible for enrolling students in our many medical trainings, outdoor education courses, and backcountry trips. She’s also the go-to person when it comes…
The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) Earns Prestigious Cognia Accreditation
National recognition empowers NCOAE students to earn and transfer high school credit nationwide. Wilmington, N.C. – April 22, 2025: The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is proud to announce that it has been awarded full accreditation by Cognia®, a nonprofit organization recognized globally for its commitment to continuous improvement andeducational excellence. The…
Backcountry Prep
Sleeping Out: From Cowboy Camping to Luxury Tents, the Choice is Yours
…Few things on Earth can match the unsurpassed contentment of sleeping outdoors. “If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night,” Bill Watterson once wrote, “I bet they’d live a lot differently.” Amen to that! The stars above, the clouds floating by like sailing vessels, the trees whispering in the breeze. And, of…
Working at NCOAE
NCOAE Instructs the Instructors Through Instructor Candidate Training Program
…Without going completely overboard, we here at The National Center for Outdoor Education & Adventure Education (NCOAE) liken our popular Instructor Candidate (IC) training to a Hollywood red carpet event — without the egos or trophies. That’s because this training attracts the best wilderness educators in the world to our North Carolina headquarters for five…
Meet the Team
Meet the Staff: Bethany Smith, Lead Field Instructor & Raft Guide
…Bethany Smith’s journey with The National center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is one marked by passion, adventure, and a deep commitment to outdoor and experiential education. Joining our team in 2022, Bethany quickly became an important member of our field operations. After taking a brief break in 2023 to explore the world, we…
Education Without Walls
Meet an Education Without Walls Graduate — Joaly Canseco
We here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) are very proud of the Education Without Walls program and its students! Education Without Walls is a wilderness-based outdoor education program that engages 13 to 18 year old students in a variety of adventure activities, including backpacking, rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, and camping. This…
Working at NCOAE
Staff Profile: NCOAE Instructor Jena Honeyman
…Jena Honeyman was born to teach, but not in the public school system where standardization appears to have removed hope of educating the individual. That’s why Honeyman — a native of Washington State who was raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York — is a perfect fit for the staff here at The National…
Staff Profiles
Staff Profile: Liz Shirley, NCOAE’s Program Coordinator
Here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), it’s not always necessary for employees to be front and center in order to be seen as a vital asset to our operations. Take Liz Shirley for example. Sure, this veteran outdoor program director can often be found leading our clients on a variety…
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
…Embark on a transformative journey with NCOAE and earn accredited continuing education credits through the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). Our immersive Wilderness Medicine courses not only empower you with life-saving skills but also grant you official recognition that sets you apart. …
EMT Training
How to Become an EMT
…You’re thinking about becoming an EMT. Awesome! If you follow through, you will be joining the ranks of today’s modern-day heroes, the frontline of the frontline workers — bona fide life savers! Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are trained professionals who provide care in critical and emergency situations. Such emergencies can range from simple, routine calls…
Part-Time Wilderness Medicine Instructor
…Our wilderness medicine instructors teach courses that result in their students completing coursework to receive outdoor medical certifications….
Wilderness Medicine Training
Wilderness Medicine Training in North Carolina
…Working in remote settings has its challenges. From the lack of a quality connection to the Internet and having to find alternate ways to ‘go to the bathroom,’ to not being able to find a doctor precisely when you may need one, working remotely takes on all new meaning when you’re outdoor educator or backcountry…
Expeditions
Wilderness EMT (Hybrid) – North Carolina
…The W-EMT curriculum includes the essential medical foundation combined with required skills for accessing and managing medical issues….
North Carolina
North Carolina’s breathtaking backcountry provides the perfect backdrop as you expand your technical outdoor skills and grow as a leader….
Blog
NCOAE and The Blogosphere
…There’s an unspoken rule in the blogosphere that says we’re obligated to post a “welcome to our blog” entry, so we’ll play along (we wouldn’t want to upset the balance of the interweb by not playing by such geeky rules)….


