NOLS - Questions & Answers

Office hours (MT): Monday-Thursday 8am-7pm, Friday 8am-5pm


	What makes NOLS different from other outdoor organizations? What is NOLS’ approach to Risk Management? I don’t have much experience. Will I be able to do a NOLS course? How do I choose the right course for me? How do I request a NOLS course catalog? How do I apply for a course? What forms of payment does NOLS accept? How far in advance should I apply for a course? When can I apply for a NOLS course that begins more than a year from now? Do you have waitlists for NOLS courses? How does that work? Can I take my course with a spouse, family member or a friend? Are many NOLS students taking their course as part of a Gap Year Program? What is a NOLS Outdoor Educator course? What is an Instructor Course? What can I do after my NOLS course? Can I work for NOLS? What equipment will I need for my NOLS course? How do I prepare for my NOLS course? What will the first day of the course be like? What’s the food like on a NOLS course? Can NOLS support a gluten free, lactose free, food-allergy, vegetarian, vegan or kosher diet? Can I observe the Sabbath while on a NOLS course? What does my tuition cover? Does NOLS offer any sort of financial aid and how do I apply for it? Can I apply my Americorps Education Award towards a NOLS course? Can I apply my Veteran’s Benefits towards a NOLS course? What are NOLS’ cancellation and transfer policies? What is the ‘Tuition Protection Program’? I am interested in taking my course for college credit. How does that work? Which institutions currently accept NOLS/University of Utah credit? What type of certifications can I obtain on a NOLS course? What is the age range of the students on a NOLS course? What is the male to female ratio on a NOLS course? Are all courses coeducational? What is the average group size? What is the average instructor to student ratio? Can I wear contact lenses on my NOLS course? I am concerned about feminine hygiene. What is NOLS approach to managing this in the backcountry? What makes NOLS different from other outdoor organizations? There are a number of quality outdoor education programs available. Being a not-for-profit (501c3) school, as opposed to an adventure guide service or troubled youth program, NOLS separates itself from the rest with its curricular focus on technical skills, leadership techniques and know-how to lead others in the backcountry safely, comfortably and ethically. These same skills are invaluable when leading yourself and others through the expedition of life. This focused approach, the quality of our students and staff, the length of our field courses, NOLS curriculum, the college credit program and the fact that we are centrally run and locally operated are just a few of the things that separate NOLS from other outdoor organizations. (Top) What is NOLS' approach to Risk Management? The health and the well being of our students and staff are of the highest priority at NOLS. However, it is important to recognize that there is, and always will be, a certain degree of risk in the very nature of a NOLS course. Our students and staff travel deep into the wilderness on extended expeditions, where they may be hours or even days from advanced medical care. We feel that the risks are manageable and that no organization is better equipped to manage them than NOLS. Our full time Risk Management Director is the lead editor and author of the Manual of Accreditation Standards. As an organization, we are the lead sponsor and founder of the annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WMRC), we also serve on the Board of Directors for both the Wilderness Risk Management Committee and Wilderness Medical Society. Additionally, as the home of the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI), we are the world’s leading provider of wilderness medicine training and certification. Our leadership in the outdoor field is so widely recognized that we provide risk management training and consulting to organizations worldwide. Risk and risk management are important considerations. It is important to us that you have all of the information you need to make an informed and appropriate decision. As such, please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions, concerns or if you’d simply like more information. (Top) I don’t have much experience. Will I be able to do a NOLS course? If you are motivated and in good physical and emotional health, you can excel. NOLS students come to us from a wide variety of backgrounds. The desire to learn and participate is the most important factor for success on a NOLS course. (Top) How do I choose the right course for me? Asking yourself the following questions will help to put you on track for choosing the perfect NOLS experience. How old will I be at the start of my course? What is my time frame (both length and time of year)? What technical skills am I interested in learning (backpacking, sailing, rock climbing, etc.)? What NOLS location am I specifically interested in traveling to? (Top) How do I request a NOLS course catalog? Requesting a catalog is easy! Click Request A Catalog, fill in the required fields and in 5-7 days you’ll be on your way to choosing the right NOLS course for you. If you are currently receiving the NOLS catalog, there is no need to request another. Our course catalogs are printed each year in mid-fall and are shipped out shortly thereafter to our graduates and those on our mailing list. (Top) How do I apply for a course? Simply submit your NOLS application. This can be done in a variety of different ways. The most popular option is to apply online. You can also download a copy of the NOLS Application and fax it to us at (307) 332-1220 or send it via postal mail to 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520. The fastest and easiest way to apply for your NOLS course is over the phone at (800) 710-NOLS. This process takes about twenty minutes to complete. Please make sure you have a Visa or Mastercard available for the $65 application fee. As long as there is space available on your first choice course, you will be enrolled the next business day. Once you have been successfully enrolled on a NOLS course you will receive an Enrollment Packet in the mail. (Top) What forms of payment does NOLS accept? We accept Visa, Mastercard, personal check and wire transfer. (Top) How far in advance should I apply for a course? We recommend applying four to six months before the course begins. NOLS courses tend to fill quickly so the earlier you can apply, the better! (Top) When can I apply for a NOLS course that begins more than a year from now? It is never too early to apply for a NOLS course! Exact dates and tuition costs are subject to change. Should you choose to apply now, NOLS will notify you as soon as those dates have been finalized. (Top) Do you have waitlists for NOLS courses? How does that work? Yes. To be placed on a NOLS wait list, you must officially submit your NOLS application and $65 processing fee. You can gain priority on a wait list by returning the required forms and $250 tuition deposit, to NOLS within two weeks of having received your Enrollment Packet. If a space should open on that course, the Admission Officer will contact you. We encourage you to pick a second choice course. If your first choice course is full, you will be wait listed and enrolled on your second choice. By doing so, you’ll be sure to join us soon! (Top) Can I take my course with a spouse, family member or a friend? Although it does occasionally happen that couples/family/friends are on the same NOLS course, it is not something that we encourage. The NOLS leadership curriculum and group dynamics are very important to the overall course progression and we have found that when students have pre-existing relationships, this changes. In the event this does happen, it is also important for you both to understand that even though you are on the same NOLS course, you might not be spending very much time together. While in the field, cook groups, travel groups and tent groups constantly change as the course progresses. Once you or someone you know graduates from a NOLS course, you will be eligible for a NOLS Alumni Trip, where friends and family are strongly encouraged to travel together. (Top) Are many NOLS students taking their course as part of a Gap Year Program? In the past few years, NOLS has seen a 15 percent increase in the number of students who enroll on a course as part or all of a gap year. Currently, nearly 20 percent of our semester students are taking time off between high school and college. While we do offer a Gap Year Semester specific to 17-19 year-old students, we see gap year students on all NOLS semester courses. The curriculum and expected student outcomes are identical for every semester course we offer. (Top) What is a NOLS Outdoor Educator course? Our Outdoor Educator courses are geared specifically for those individuals who are currently working as or aspiring to become outdoor educators. Not only will you learn the NOLS curriculum of technical skills, leadership techniques and environmental ethics, but you will also learn many different teaching styles to help you teach these skills to others. Outdoor Educator students prepare and deliver classes during which they receive extensive feedback from instructors and peers. (Top) What is an Instructor Course? In order to work as a NOLS instructor, you will need to apply for and complete a NOLS Instructor Course (IC). We are looking for individuals with a current 72 hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or higher, as well as a significant amount of both personal and professional backcountry experience. During your 35-day course, you’ll acquire the tools necessary to teach the next generation of NOLS students; in-depth instruction on teaching the NOLS core curriculum and training of NOLS protocols. Although taking a NOLS course or an Outdoor Educator course is not alone enough experience to make you a qualified IC applicant, it is a great way to start building the skills that you will need. (Top) What can I do after my NOLS course? Can I work for NOLS? If you are interested in working as an outdoor educator, wilderness guide, ranger or otherwise within the outdoor field, a NOLS course is a great place to start or advance a career. The knowledge, skills and experience developed on a NOLS course are valuable to you as an outdoor professional and extremely attractive to employers of all types. If working for NOLS is what you’re after, there are approximately 140 year-round, full-time positions at NOLS. We periodically offer employment opportunities in the fields of development and alumni relations, information systems, admissions and marketing, publications, public policy, research, finance, risk management, and human resources. We also have internships available, as well as over 100 seasonal support staff positions. Or, become a NOLS Instructor! (Top) What equipment will I need for my NOLS course? As part of your Enrollment Packet, you’ll receive an equipment list telling you about the gear you’ll be using. Some items you’ll have to purchase prior to the course, others you can rent or purchase from NOLS. (Top) How do I prepare for my NOLS course? The more pre-course preparation you do, the more you’ll learn and the more fun you’ll have on your course. While you don’t need to be a superstar athlete to excel on a NOLS course, you should be in good cardiovascular condition. We recommend that as a minimum you participate in a cardiovascular workout at least three times a week for one hour per session. This could be running, biking, cross-country skiing, basketball, etc. In your NOLS Enrollment Packet, you’ll receive a reading list that will contain titles that you may wish to read before your course. (Top) What will the first day of the course be like? Don’t worry! Everyone is apprehensive on the first day of a NOLS course. With more than 40 years of first days, NOLS has it down. Each course starts out with a meeting where you’ll get to know your coursemates and instructors. Afterwards, one of your instructors will go through your equipment with you. You’ll then head to the issue room to pick up any extra gear you may need. From there you head to the rations room to pack your food for the course. That done, you’ll have a pack-packing class, load up the NOLS bus, and be off. Your course will progress slowly for the first few days, allowing everyone to adjust to the altitude and the new activities. (Top) What’s the food like on a NOLS course? After over four decades of experience and more than a million meals prepared in the wilderness, NOLS has mastered the art of backcountry cooking. The NOLS system of bulk rationing and planning ensures that you’ll pack light and still have enough fuel and nutrition for the physical demands of a NOLS course. (Top) Can NOLS support a gluten free, lactose free, food-allergy, vegetarian, vegan or kosher diet? In most cases, NOLS is able to accommodate any diet you are following. There is space on your NOLS medical form to address dietary restrictions and allergies. It will be important for you to let your Admission Officer know, so that NOLS can be prepared for you when you arrive for your course. It is possible to eat kosher while you are on your NOLS course, however you will be responsible for carrying your own cookware to make this happen. NOLS Rocky Mountain has the most resources to accommodate students. The NOLS Admission Office can help you decide which NOLS course would best fir your specific dietary need or restriction. (Top) Can I observe the Sabbath while on a NOLS course? Observing the Sabbath is more difficult on a course. Due to changes in course route, it is not always possible that your course rest days will always fall on the Sabbath. Also due to unexpected weather, injury, etc. it is possible that students will move camp on rest days. Living in the backcountry can be unpredictable at times and the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. (Top) What does my tuition cover? Tuition includes quality instruction, good food, well-maintained group equipment (tents, boats, ropes, cook sets, maps, compasses, etc., certifications when appropriate, transportation during the course and permit costs. Additional costs you’ll need to factor in are: transportation to and from the course location and personal equipment (the things that only you will use and/or wear). At NOLS domestic locations you can rent most of the needed gear. Optional fees include tuition protection and college credit fees from the University of Utah. (Top) Does NOLS offer any sort of financial aid and how do I apply for it? Absolutely! Each year, NOLS awards students with over $900,000 in financial assistance to our students. NOLS offers partial scholarships which are awarded based on need, as well as merit, and are given on a first come, first serve basis. In order to apply for a NOLS scholarship, you must currently be enrolled on a NOLS course. (Top) Can I apply my Americorps Education Award towards a NOLS course? Yes, you can use your Americorps Education Award to help you pay for your NOLS course. For more information on utilizing your Americorps Education Award please visit this page. (Top) Can I apply my Veteran’s Benefits towards a NOLS course? Yes. However, only courses based out of Wyoming are eligible for approval through the Veteran’s Affairs (VA). For further information on utilizing your VA Benefits for a NOLS course please visit the Financial Aid section of our web site. (Top) What are NOLS’ cancellation and transfer policies? Cancellation Policy - If you leave a course for any reason: Between 15 and 29 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 25 percent of the course tuition Between 8 and 14 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 50 percent of the course tuition Less that 8 days prior to the course start date and once the course has begun, there will be no refunds Transfer Policies - If you transfer from one course to another: 30 or more days prior to the course start date there will be a $25 dollar processing charge 29 days or less prior to the course start date, regular cancellation and refund charges will apply Although we rarely need to do so, we reserve the right to cancel a course or change a course duration, tuition or location. NOLS is not responsible for costs associated in these cases. We recommend that you consider refundable airplane tickets and tuition insurance. (Top) What is the ‘Tuition Protection Program’? The Tuition Protection Program is completely optional and works out to be approximately 5.5% of your total tuition cost. The program is offered through Berkley Care and helps to protect against losing your tuition money where the NOLS cancellation policy does not. If you injure yourself (i.e. a broken arm) or have a death in your immediate family within thirty days of the start of your course and have to cancel, the Tuition Protection Program will reimburse lost tuition. Or, if you are injured while on your NOLS course and have to leave, Berkley Care will prorate your tuition and refund you the balance. Additionally, this program helps to pay for evacuation costs while you are in the field. (Top) I am interested in taking my course for college credit, how does that work? NOLS has been offering college credit through the University of Utah since 1980. Ultimately, it is up to your college or university to decide which and how many of these credits will transfer into your specific program. Students need to make their own arrangements in transferring credit. A great place to start is with your academic advisor. It often helps to stress that these credits are coming from the University of Utah and to bring along a copy of your detailed course description. Additionally, bringing along the course syllabi can also be helpful. Keep in mind that not all University of Utah credits are available for every NOLS course, so it is important to make sure that the syllabi match the credits available for your specific course. (Top) Which institutions currently accept NOLS/University of Utah credit? More than 400 Colleges and Universities around the world accept the transfer of NOLS/University of Utah credit. Numerous others have also offered their own credit for a NOLS course. A list of these institutions can be found here. If you don’t see your school on the list, don’t be dissuaded. It probably just means that no one has tried to transfer credit to your institution. Go ahead, be the first! (Top) What type of certifications can I obtain on a NOLS course? Although there is no universal certification for working within the outdoor industry, having completed a NOLS course is very highly regarded by outdoor professionals worldwide. As the Leader In Wilderness Education, NOLS provides its students with the opportunity to obtain on-course certifications in the following areas: Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Leave No Trace Master Educator Certification Leave No Trace Trainer Certification Level I Avalanche Certification Defensive Driving Certification (Top) What is the age range of the students on a NOLS course? Our youngest students are 14-years-old and we do not have an age maximum. Students over 50, or those with certain medical histories, must submit an electrocardiogram (EKG) test as part of their medical evaluation. (Top) What is the male to female ratio on a NOLS course? Are all courses coeducational? Schoolwide, NOLS’ male to female ratio is 65 : 35. It varies on every course, though we always attempt to achieve a reasonable balance. Although we reserve the right to make a course single gender based on the overall ratio, this is something that each student will be notified about. (Top) What is the average group size? What is the average instructor to student ratio? The group sizes and student to instructor ratio vary depending on the terrain and the skill being taught. Student groups range from 6 to 17, with the most common group sizes being 12 or 15. Instructor to student ratios are typically between 1:4 to 1:6. (Top) Can I wear contact lenses on my NOLS course? Yes, contact lens wearers should also bring a pair of prescription glasses as a backup. Prescription sunglasses are also a nice item to have. (Top) I am concerned about feminine hygiene. What is NOLS approach to managing this in the backcountry? Many women feel some anxiety before their course concerning hygiene in the backcountry. However, most women find it’s much simpler than they thought. All NOLS instructors, male and female, are trained to handle hygiene issues in a professional and sensitive manner. All women enrolled on our courses will receive a Health Information For Women On NOLS Courses document in their Enrollment Packet. Additionally, students will discuss how to manage backcountry hygiene before their course starts. A NOLS Admission Officer can give you further information about prepping for your course or put you in contact with a NOLS Alumni Representative. Give us a call at 800-710-NOLS. (Top)

The Wind River Range - The perfect classroom.
Photo: Juan Queirolo


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