…Some veteran backpackers claim the only time a heated can of Dinty Moore stew tastes delicious is when eaten outdoors, but today there are many quick and easy ways to pull together a gourmet meal from what you can grab out of your backpack. The trick is knowing what to pack! Truth is, we here…

Our DEI practices are intertwined into policies on staff recruitment & selection; compensation & benefits; professional development and more. Learn more!…

…There was a time, not so long ago, that when it came out outdoor recreation gear, apparel and accessories, women were told one size fits all. “You there, young lady! I understand you need a backpack for a serious wilderness expedition? No problem. See that one over there that Jonathan is trying on? That’s the…

…If you asked me to list the attributes that allowed Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917) to survive more than a year stranded in Antarctica, I point to characteristics like leadership, adaptability, teamwork, ingenuity, and perseverance.  What Shackleton and his men employed was a mindset that intentionally embraced a set of values and behaviors that…

…Jacob Bernthal is a distinguished graduate of the NCOAE’s Instructor Course, embodying the expertise and values we seek in our field instructors. Prior to joining our team, Jacob excelled as a sailing trip leader at Camp Don Lee in Arapahoe, N.C., and showcased his versatility as a retail associate and fly-fishing guide at Great Outdoors…

Jasmin Gonzalez is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), where she guides groups on backcountry expeditions and teaches young people how important it is to protect our planet. And like all NCOAE field instructors, she has the skills and experience to provide the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts…

Locations Course Overview Through this interdisciplinary course, students engage in hands-on learning, drawing direct connections between their natural surroundings and the principles of ecology, biology, and environmental science. These courses foster critical thinking and leadership skills while offering practical knowledge and adventure. Experiential Learning in Outdoor Education Experiential education at NCOAE combines leadership development, hands-on…

…Language provides a foundation for human progress. Having a common language enables us to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate our efforts in able us to achieve more together than any of us could possibly achieve on our own. It allows us to organize our thoughts and solve problems collectively. It’s when we’re not speaking the same…

…Backcountry and wilderness expeditions and daytrips can be a blast! One minute you’re  stimulated by the views and having fun, and in some instances, the next minute you’re on the ground after tripping on a rock, asking yourself, “Where did all that blood come from?” Having the right medical supplies can turn a potential disaster…

…Throughout our lives, we develop knowledge and wisdom, in part, by learning from our mistakes and those of others. In the context of outdoor education and adventure programming, we learn from both catastrophic events and near misses — close calls. These are events in which nearly every factor necessary to cause serious injury or death…

…Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10, 2026, hopefully reuniting with fellow band members who passed before him — Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (died in 1973), Jerry Garcia (died in 1995), and Phil Lesh (died in 2024).  I say, “Fare thee well,” in reference to one of their songs and…

…Liz Shirley joined the NCOAE family full-time in the spring of 2017 as a Program Director, responsible for directing field operations and staff training….

…Sarina Maki is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina. She leads custom group expeditions, including multi-day backpacking trips through North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, which are designed to build participant’s confidence, connection, and a love for the natural world. Originally from Ishpeming, Michigan, Sarina…

…You don’t have to look at a calendar to know summer is quickly drawing to a close. Look at the traffic in your hometown. Notice anything different? How about the roads leading to and from local or regional shopping malls and big box stores? With most kids and their parents hitting the stores — or…

Interested in a career in outdoor and adventure education? NCOAE may be the right fit for you! Explore our open positions and join our team….

…Our certified EMT instructors provide professional instruction and individualized training. Explore NCOAE‘s EMT trainings and register today….

…Under our industry-best instructors, gain the skills necessary to become certified in Wilderness Medicine….

…Best practices for evaluating and transporting patients with potential spinal fractures or spinal cord injuries is a hot topic in emergency medicine. And it’s no wonder. All of us who work in the adventure programming and emergency medical services field fervently want to avoid causing or worsening a potentially catastrophic injury to someone’s spinal cord. …

…As we do each year, we are once again taking advantage of this space to inform you about opportunities for you, your staff, and your organization to participate in professional development, networking, and business growth and development available at upcoming outdoor industry conferences. In this edition, we are spotlighting nine events taking place between now…

…Depending on where you live, you may see them every day or just when there’s a fire, police, or medical emergency where you are. Regardless of the frequency with which you see them, you may be wondering — what exactly does an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) do? EMTs are not just “ambulance drivers,” although that’s…