…“Adventure First, Education Always” is the rallying cry here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education’s (NCOAE). What you’ll find embedded in that statement is our commitment to students that they will return from our courses and trainings mentally, educationally and physically prepared for whatever brought them to us in the first place….

…Editor’s Note: This year, the NCOAE blog is going to cover a variety of topics, written by a variety of our staff members. Topics will include best practices in Adventure Education (both in and out of wilderness settings), land use, history of course areas, flora and fauna, cooking, and why us “dirtbags” may be the…

…When we venture into the backcountry, whether it’s a day hike in a nearby forest or a multi-day expedition into remote terrain, we knowingly trade comfort and convenience for solitude, challenge, and a deeper connection with nature.  This is a trade-off that comes with a conscious decision to expose ourselves to a higher-than-normal level of…

…Make an impact on your students by bringing an NCOAE program to your private or independent school. Request a custom program today!…

…When a group forgets to pack an important piece of outdoor cooking gear, we like to see how problem solving unfolds to keep the expedition moving forward….

…Much like most educational institutions this past year, we find ourselves looking down the road toward new beginnings. And for us here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), that means new wilderness courses, upgraded emergency medicine education courses, and more wilderness medicine education programs. Long before 2020 faded into the rearview,…

…Thinking of an adventure-based vacation? NCOAE’s outdoor education courses offer backcountry travel and outdoor opportunities. Read more now….

…In recent weeks, we’ve all been hearing more and more from parents, educators, and even the nation’s top disease experts on the impending opening of schools across the nation. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has suggested that school districts developing their plans for campus reopening should find…

…Oftentimes after a successful outdoor adventure, at least one smiling student comes up to me and says, “Man, I wish I had your job.” Well, of course you do. As far as you know, I’m getting a paycheck for camping, climbing, paddling and exploring in some of the most beautiful spots on earth. That part’s true….

…The ideal time to consider the best communications options for your backcountry trip is not after you’ve arrived at the trailhead, only to discover you can’t get a signal on your smartphone. Ensuring you have a reliable means of reaching the outside world — especially during a backcountry incident or emergency — is an item…

…Over the past two summers, The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) has received a total of nearly $9,000 from Island Women, Inc., a group of savvy, talented and passionate women who live in nearby Pleasure Island, N.C. Island Women is a not-for-profit organization that’s on a mission to enhance the quality of…

…Today, we can happily report that — following the trials and tribulations of last month’s bullseye hurricane confrontation on our Wilmington, N.C. campus — we here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) are back in action. In fact, just a week after our return from evacuating, everything was cleaned up and…

…What you need to know to succeed in an online EMT training course, from The National Center for Outdoor & Adventre Education…

…Remote glaciers, cold-mountain streams, wide-open tundra: explore the beauty of faraway Alaskan terrain….

Read all of our latest blog posts and resource articles.

…One of the major “perks” of working as a field instructor, guide, or senior staff in the outdoor education and adventure-based programming sector of the outdoor industry used to be an offer of free or low-cost housing. Today, that incentive is more elusive, both for employees at our peer organizations and the staff we hire…

…Discover Patagonia, the land of extremes, from snow-capped volcanoes to whitewater rivers and breathtaking vistas….

…We live in a world increasingly dominated by social media, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. So, when it comes to backcountry and wilderness expeditions, participants of all ages have an opportunity to learn and grow in fun, challenging real-world settings.  Whether navigating rugged terrain, setting up a tent, or preparing a meal without the aid…

The health pandemic has had an enormous impact on the outdoor education and adventure programming industries, not to mention those who thrive on If you’re an outdoor industry professional, check out the 2022 outdoor industry conferences and summits highlighted in this post. %…