Emily Elkins

Field Instructor

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 wilderness experiences.

Originally from New Glarus, Wisconsin, Emily has worked in outdoor education roles across the U.S. Her resume includes serving as a Lead Instructor for Voyageur Outward Bound School (St. Paul, MN), a Wilderness Adventure Guide for Rippleffect (Portland, ME), a teacher at Sprouts Nature School (Madison, WI), and a guide and media intern for GOAT (Greenville, SC). Across all these roles, she has honed the skills to create safe, welcoming, and meaningful outdoor experiences for participants of all ages.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI). She’s certified as a Wilderness First Responder, with additional certifications in Wilderness Water Safety, and Interpretive Guiding, and CPR.
At NCOAE, Emily is excited to be part of a team of passionate educators from across the country, united in their mission to lead transformative trips for youth and adults alike. She thrives on creating space for personal growth and environmental awareness and loves helping expedition participants build confidence in wild settings.

When she’s not instructing, you’ll likely find Emily rock climbing, painting, practicing yoga, or capturing the beauty of the outdoors through her camera lens. Her biggest role model is her dad, who Emily says has the type of resilience, curiosity, and adventurous spirit that continues to inspire her.