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…

Allie Hilbruner
Allie handles student and custom group registration, tracks progress, and leads our support and service efforts….

Homepage
…Starting exploring with any of our outdoor adventure and education programs for adults and teens interested in personal growth and professional development….

Idaho
Situated in the breathtaking landscapes of Idaho, NCOAE’s Satellite Camp offers a unique opportunity for individuals seeking to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) through our Hybrid EMT Training program….

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

Accreditation
By aligning with globally recognized standards and embracing best practices, we continually enhance our operations and contribute to the evolution of our industries. Our accreditations ensure our programs meet rigorous benchmarks, offering both quality assurance and credibility. By maintaining these accreditations, NCOAE reaffirms its commitment to academic integrity, operational excellence, and the success of our…
Experiential Education
Experiential Learning in the Backcountry: a Balance of Fun, Learning, Self-Development
…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…
Conferences
NCOAE Recommends — 2022 Outdoor Industry Conferences and Summits
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. %…

About Us
…Our mission is to design and deliver handcrafted outdoor and adventure education experiences that promote personal growth….
Working at NCOAE
Now Hiring Part-time EMT Course Instructors
…The economy is booming and we here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) find ourselves in the position of seeking a few part-time instructors. Specifically, we’re looking for instructors to supplement our expanding team of EMT professionals who teach courses at our North Carolina headquarters. Among the many courses we offer is…

Cameron Francisco
…Cameron “Cam” Francisco spent 19 years as an independent school educator andadministrator prior to joining the team at The National Center for Outdoor & AdventureEducation in 2022 as Associate Director of Outdoor Education. Cam began his educationcareer as a middle school social studies teacher in 2003, moving into administrationseven years later as a middle school…

Wildlife
Inspiration Through a Journey of Exploration — Part Three: Outdoor Magazines
…As you’re probably already aware, outdoor magazines such as Bike, Surfer, Powder and Snowboarder have all shuttered their windows and shut down their presses. So now what? Where do you turn for some real human-powered and adventure-based outdoor and journalism? And by journalism, we’re not talking about tweets, posts, and pieces written in and curated by…

Campfire Conversations
Everything You Need To Know About Choosing Women’s Outdoor Gear
…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…

Education Without Walls
Three-day Paddle Out to Masonboro Island is this Weekend
…Some lucky eighth- and ninth-graders are heading out for a three-day expedition to the remote and undeveloped Masonboro Island near Myrtle Grove, N.C., this weekend, joined by a pair of instructors and a course director from here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education. The eight youngsters are from the Wilmington, N.C., area…

Life At NCOAE
2015 Holiday Hours and How To Make a Year-End Donation
Those of us who work here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) are taking some time off for the holidays this week and next, and we’re also taking this last-chance of-the-year opportunity to seek donations, gifts and volunteer time from our partners and friends. First, we want to tell you about…

Wilderness
Celebrating 100 Years of North Carolina State Park History
…North Carolina’s more than 40 state parks are sharing a centennial anniversary with the National Park system this year, all offering an enormous amount of biodiversity and geographical features to explore. The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education’s (NCOAE’s) world headquarters and home campus is located in Eastern North Carolina, which has amazing biodiversity…

Outdoor Education
Wilderness Problem Solving Often Requires Response to a Question
…It’s the end of a long day trekking through the backcountry. Tents are being set up, water is being collected and brought to the campsite and everyone is tired and hungry. A conversation ensues: Student: The stove won’t light. Instructor: Okay. Student: Should we fix it? Instructor: Do you need it to cook dinner? Student:…

Wilderness Cooking
From Belly to Brain, Cognitive Shifts in the Backcountry
…During our latest Instructor Candidate (IC) course, I had the opportunity to witness one of the most beautiful shifts in group dynamics I’ve seen in a long, long time. Our instructor candidates had just finished two days of challenging climbs — made all the more difficult by torrential rains, equipment challenges and late — very,…

Liz Shirley
…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….
