Life At NCOAE
The Time to Begin Preparing for Summer Adventures Started Yesterday
…Here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) you can find us toiling year-round to bring our students and clients the very best in guided outdoor adventures with meaning. So, as far as our staff is concerned, we’re always in the “getting ready mode” for outings in the wilderness. But as we…
Wilderness Medicine Training
It’s a Good Week to Honor EMS Professionals
…“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….
Private and Independent Schools
…Make an impact on your students by bringing an NCOAE program to your private or independent school. Request a custom program today!…
About NCOAE
Wilderness Courses in the New Year: Fresh Beginnings, Adventures, and Trails
…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,…
Wilderness Cooking
Adventures in Outdoor Cooking: Do it for Your Taste Buds
…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….
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….
NCOAE Blog
Read all of our latest blog posts and resource articles.
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…
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…
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…
EMT Training
Tips for Participating in EMT Training Online
…What you need to know to succeed in an online EMT training course, from The National Center for Outdoor & Adventre Education…
Outdoor Education
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…
Patagonia
…Discover Patagonia, the land of extremes, from snow-capped volcanoes to whitewater rivers and breathtaking vistas….
Alaska
…Remote glaciers, cold-mountain streams, wide-open tundra: explore the beauty of faraway Alaskan terrain….
Outdoor Education
In the Outdoor Industry, Affordable Housing for Outdoor Educators Remains Elusive
…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…
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. %…
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…
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…
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….


