Custom Programs
Returning to School? We Want to Help you Safely Opt Out(side)
…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…
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….
Life At NCOAE
We’re Back! Despite a Lightning Bolt Barrage on Our Beleaguered Campus
…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…
Education Without Walls
Generous Gifts from Island Women Funds Education Without Walls
…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…
NCOAE Recommends
For Emergencies on the Trail — Who You Gonna Call and with What Device?
…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…
Working at NCOAE
How To Become an Outdoor Educator and Work in The Backcountry
…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….
Allie Gressly
Allie handles student and custom group registration, tracks progress, and leads our support and service efforts….
Patagonia
Discover Patagonia, the land of extremes, from snow-capped volcanoes to whitewater rivers and breathtaking vistas….
NCOAE Blog
Read all of our latest blog posts and resource articles.
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…
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…
About Us
…Our mission is to design and deliver handcrafted outdoor and adventure education experiences that promote personal growth….
Land Management
‘Free Range’ Mountain Bike Advocates Seek Access to Wilderness Areas
…Strange and interesting things are afoot in the human-powered outdoor recreation community, and if you’ve been paying attention to issues surrounding the use of wilderness areas lately, what follows here might not come as a surprise. What has emerged is a growing division among outdoor enthusiasts as to whether or not mountain bikes should be…
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…
AEE
AEE Announces Spring Regional Conference Lineup
…If you’re interested in advancing your career in outdoor and adventure-based experiential education, you really should attend one of AEE’s 2014 regional conferences. AEE (which stands for Association for Experiential Education) is a professional membership association with roots in adventure education that’s committed to the development, practice, and evaluation of experiential learning in all settings….
Wilderness Medicine
Managing Mass Casualty Incidents in the Backcountry
…Most people think of wilderness medicine as providing medical care in a remote setting where access to conventional healthcare resources is limited or unavailable. They imagine someone treating a wound, applying a tourniquet, performing CPR, or fashioning a splint out of sticks and a bandana enabling a hiker with a broken leg to hobble to…
EMT Training
Mental Health Issues for Emergency Medical Technicians
…Becoming a full- or part-time Emergency Medical Technician requires extreme and rigorous training, and it’s not a career choice to be taken lightly. That’s because emergency medical responders encounter patients in life-threatening situations, ranging from traumatic incidences of cardiac arrest and auto accidents, to drownings to drug overdoses. EMS techs like the ones we train…
Jacob Bernthal
…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…
Inspiration
Fare Thee Well, Bob Weir
…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…


