Frequently Asked Questions

Trips vary in difficulty. Each trip page has a scale indicating relative difficulty. But if you have questions or concerns about a trip, please just ask!

Alumni trips cover a variety of activities, skills, and locations. Some of them are highly technical, others are focused on skills development, and others are simply focused on enjoying and exploring a new place.

We are proud of the wide breadth of location offerings and always expanding more. Alumni Trips take place in the U.S. and in many other countries around the world. Some trips are based our of our NOLS campuses but others travel fast and light operating in countries where NOLS doesn’t have an established physical location.

These trips are open to any NOLS Alumni. NOLS Alumni can also bring guests along with them, we do not limit the number of guests that an Alumni can bring.

Yes. Many NOLS courses offer college credit through the University of Utah. Semester courses can earn up to 16 credits. Credit eligibility and amounts are listed on each course page. Most colleges and universities accept NOLS transfer credits.

Groups typically include 10-12 students with 2-3 instructors. On longer courses, groups may split into smaller teams for independent travel sections where students practice leadership. This small group size ensures personalized instruction and meaningful relationships.

Certifications depend on the course. Expedition students may earn Leave No Trace Trainer, Wilderness First Aid, or swiftwater rescue certifications. Wilderness Medicine students earn the specific certification for their course (WFA, WFR, or WEMT). All are nationally recognized.

NOLS accommodates a wide range of dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies. Indicate your requirements during enrollment and our rations team will plan accordingly. In the field, groups prepare meals together using carefully planned food supplies.

Yes, transfers are available subject to course availability and timing. Contact our admissions team as early as possible to discuss options. A transfer fee may apply depending on how close to the start date the change is made.

Most NOLS courses require no prior outdoor experience. Our instructors teach everything from the ground up, including camping, navigation, cooking, and technical skills. Some advanced courses like mountaineering may recommend prior backpacking experience.

Browse our course catalog online and select the course that fits your goals. You can register directly on the course page by completing the enrollment form and submitting a deposit. Our admissions team will follow up with next steps and a pre-course packet.

Age requirements vary by course. Teen courses are designed for ages 14-17, young adult courses for 18-25, and adult courses for 23 and older. Some semester and specialized programs have specific age ranges listed on the course page.

Cancellations made more than 60 days before the course start date receive a full refund minus a processing fee. Cancellations within 60 days may receive a partial refund or course credit depending on timing. Full details are included in your enrollment agreement.

Yes! We have numerous scholarships for our programs and courses. Find out how to apply on our financial aid page.

You can earn credit from your course or training for high school, college, and a variety of continuing education programs. Though we’re different than a traditional academic program, we are recognized for teaching outdoor education, leadership, wilderness medicine, risk management, and conservation.

NOLS works with MDM Group to provide optional Tuition Protection and Travel Insurance coverage for our students. Please visit the dedicated webpage to learn more about available options and costs. Plans are provided by Co-ordinated Benefits. To reach a Plan Administrator, email or call 866-224-4594.

Most of our courses do not require any prior experience. However, we do suggest a level of physical fitness based on the anticipated demands of the course. For more info, check our fitness guidelines.

Yes! Find more information about AmeriCorps award policies on our financial aid page.

We offer courses for teens and adults. Age requirements vary based on the course or program.

While we want to accept everyone on our courses, NOLS’ commitment to excellent student-to-instructor ratios, permitting limits for the sensitive areas where we operate, and other operating restrictions mean we cannot always accommodate every person on their desired course.

When spots open up on full courses we reach out to people on the interest list to offer these spaces on a first-come-first-served basis.

Yes! Find more information about AmeriCorps award policies on our financial aid page.

Each NOLS rations department is a little different, but we are prepared to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free students, and students with food allergies. It’s important to make sure that any dietary needs or preferences are noted on your health form, and that your admissions officer is aware of them. Don’t hesitate to bring it up if you think we might have missed it, because we can only accommodate food preferences that we know about!

• Injuries before or during your course that prevent you from being able to participate in the course
• Illnesses occurring before or during your course that prevent you from being able to participate in the course
• With some policies, expenses related to canceled travel reservations such as airlines, hotels, etc. due to the above injury or illness.

• Situations when NOLS cancels the course
• Voluntarily choosing to leave your NOLS course
• Being expelled from or asked to leave your NOLS course
• Being unable to participate in your NOLS course due to a preexisting condition

For a comprehensive list, please refer to the general exclusions section of your plan document.

You can find this information on our policies page.

While the skills learned on NOLS courses are most applicable to jobs in the outdoor industry, the leadership, interpersonal, and self-reliance skills that a student gains while on a NOLS course are applicable in any field or facet of life.

In addition, the NOLS Jobsnetwork is available to connect job-seeking alumni with outdoor, conservation, and educational employers.

As soon as possible, please complete your student health form and submit these documents to your student Dashboard (link to Dashboard login page). Once NOLS clears it, you can start booking travel for your course.

NOLS students may be in electronic communication with friends and family before and after the course, not during (exceptions made for semester and year courses). Some courses have the option of sending letters in and out during re-supplies of food and gear; ask your admission officer if this is a possibility and what the process might be.

Students are not allowed any electronics on NOLS courses (no cell phones, iPods, etc.) Course instructors will carry the means to contact emergency personnel should the need arise.

Absolutely. Many students combine NOLS financial aid with outside scholarships, employer tuition assistance, or GI Bill benefits. Our financial aid team can help you identify external funding sources and coordinate multiple awards.

Submit a financial aid application through the NOLS website after enrolling in a course. The application asks about your financial situation and why you want to attend NOLS. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and we encourage applying early for the best chance of receiving an award.

NOLS awards approximately $1.9 million in scholarships annually. Award amounts vary based on demonstrated financial need and available funds. Awards typically cover a portion of tuition, though some students receive funding covering a significant share of the total cost.

Financial aid decisions are typically communicated within 2-4 weeks of submitting a complete application. Applying early gives you more time to plan and explore additional funding sources if needed.

Yes. NOLS provides all group equipment including tents, stoves, cooking gear, climbing hardware, boats, and specialized technical equipment. Students are responsible for personal gear like clothing, boots, sleeping bag, and backpack.

We recommend building cardiovascular endurance and strength in the weeks before your course. Hiking with a loaded pack, running, swimming, and core exercises are all helpful. Your pre-course packet includes specific fitness recommendations based on the demands of your course.

There are no laundry facilities in the backcountry, so plan on wearing the same clothes for extended periods. NOLS teaches Leave No Trace hygiene practices including hand washing, water purification, and waste disposal. You will learn to stay clean and healthy with minimal resources.

After enrolling, you will receive a detailed gear list specific to your course and location. Required personal items typically include a backpack, sleeping bag, boots, and clothing layers. NOLS provides technical group equipment. We also offer a gear shop with recommended items at discounted prices.

Students are generally not reachable by phone or email while in the field. In case of a family emergency, NOLS operations staff can relay urgent messages to instructors via satellite communication. Families receive check-in updates during longer courses through the NOLS portal.

All NOLS instructors hold wilderness medicine certifications and carry communication devices for emergency contact. Detailed evacuation plans are established for every course area. A 24/7 operations center monitors all field courses and coordinates with local search and rescue when needed.

NOLS maintains one of the strongest safety records in outdoor education. We publish annual safety data transparently and continuously refine our risk management practices based on decades of field experience. Safety is built into every aspect of course design, instructor training, and field operations.

Yes! Learn more about Veteran Benefits on our financial aid page.

No prior medical experience is required for WFA or WFR courses. Our curriculum is designed to teach everything from the basics up. WEMT students should have a WFR or equivalent certification before enrolling, as the course builds on that foundation.

WFR certifications are valid for two years. You can recertify through a 16-24 hour in-person recertification course or the NOLS Hybrid WFR Recertification which combines online learning with a shorter in-person component. Browse upcoming recert courses on our website.

Contact us at [email protected]

Find information on how to host a course on our sponsors page.

Wilderness First Aid: 16 years old
Wilderness Advanced First Aid: 16 years old
Wilderness First Responder: 16 years old
Wilderness EMT: 18 years old

The NOLS WFR is the most widely recognized wilderness medicine certification in the industry. It is accepted by the National Park Service, AMGA, ACA, and hundreds of outdoor organizations, camps, and guide services worldwide. Check with your employer for specific requirements.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is a 16-hour introductory course. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is a comprehensive 70-80 hour course and the industry standard for outdoor professionals. Wilderness EMT (WEMT) combines the WFR with EMT-Basic certification for the highest level of wilderness medical training.