Impact Report

NOLS Impact Report

At NOLS, we change the world, one student at a time. From NASA astronauts to 14-year-old backpackers, from Wilderness Medicine EMTs to first-time sailors in Baja, NOLS is cultivating leaders and fostering abilities to thrive in remote and austere environments.

NOLS began in a small cabin in Sinks Canyon, Wyoming, in 1965 as the National Outdoor Leadership School. Since then, the school has evolved into a multifaceted leader in wilderness education that serves thousands of students worldwide each year. 

At NOLS, we elevate the leader in everyone. This has never been more important in a world that feels increasingly divided. Our classrooms are the best places in the world to grow and lead as purposeful humans. As we turn to the future, the promise of our school is extraordinarily bright, and we look forward to partnering with the NOLS community to lead us to the next chapter.

We invite you to read the 2023 NOLS Impact Report, learn more about the school and its work, and be inspired by the power and impact of wilderness education.