Chances are good that you’ve had to take at least one course in English composition that required you to write a 500-word essay entitled, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” Most teens talk about their vacation or their summer job, but you can talk about leadership activities for teens. Perhaps you had the best summer ever…

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…

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…

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…

According to some emergency medical professionals, including one of my early mentors, every emergency medical service (EMS) call involves a search. Even in urban settings where we’re given a home address for a patient, we need to confirm the location, find it, and gain access to the patient. And even after arriving at the right…

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…

NCOAE Wilderness Medicine Field Guide Resources…

Laura Moore @ GWBJ. | June 16, 2025 By Laura Moore Not all educational programs are alike. The core philosophies and values vary from organization to organization. But the Wilmington-based National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education is in a class by itself. Tucked away within a haven of live oak trees off River Road…

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…

Camp L.E.A.D. (Learn. Explore. Adventure. Discover.) is a dynamic weeklong summer day camp for 8–11-year-olds, hosted by The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE)….

As the Outdoor Program Coordinator at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, J.T. Schexnayder brings a rare blend of classroom teaching and outdoor leadership experience to every trip he plans and participates in. With a foundation in science education and a passion for the outdoors, J.T. helps NCOAE…

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…

Roni Deckard is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she brings a passion for environmental connection and years of hands-on experience in outdoor leadership. With a background that spans coast to coast, Roni has worked with a range of organizations focused on adventure…

Emily Elkins is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she brings over seven years of experience guiding and teaching in the outdoors. A certified interpretive guide, she is passionate about helping students connect more deeply with the natural world and themselves through immersive…

Jessica Prescott is a Field Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she combines her love for experiential education and the natural world to create meaningful outdoor experiences for our students. With a background in youth engagement and environmental learning, Jessica believes deeply in the power…

There it is, middle fingers up, people screaming at one another, animals running amok. It’s just another day on the trails lost to behaviors that are normally reserved for Los Angeles traffic. It doesn’t need to be this way. So long as everyone’s aware of the rules and then follows them, hikers, bicyclists, horses, and…

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…

Batteries die. Cell phones lose connectivity. Even satellite service can be unpredictable. But a map and compass? You can always count on these two “old schools” tools to discover where you are and how to get to where you’re going.  Truth is, navigating with a tried and true map and compass is an essential outdoor…

Kirsten Cook is a Lead Instructor at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she brings a rare blend of outdoor leadership, scientific fieldwork, and multilingual education experience to her role. She has more than a decade of guiding, instructing, and environmental teaching experience to her credit. Born…