NOLS Vision and Mission
Our vision
To elevate the leader in everyone.
Our mission
To be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.
Core Values Shape Us
Wilderness
Wilderness is at the heart of what we do. We seek out the natural, remote, and uncertain for the kind of accountability, inspiration, and meaningful challenge that only wilderness can provide.
Education
We believe that education can empower people to act. In our classrooms, people learn by accepting and meeting real challenges. Our instructors and staff are educators, not guides.
Leadership
Leadership is our middle name. It is a set of skills that can be learned and practiced. We value integrity, humility, and accountability in our leaders.
Risk Management
Risk management is in our DNA. We accept risk as an integral part of the learning process and the environments we navigate, recognizing that effective risk management is critical to the leadership and well-being of our community.
Community
We are a community of learners and leaders and are stronger because of our differences. We believe that the ability to work well with people of different backgrounds, experiences, and identities is a part of Expedition Behavior and is a critical leadership skill.
Expertise
We commit ourselves to the lifelong pursuit of skill mastery. We hold true competence in high regard, viewing it as essential to our mission and a reflection of our character. Through expertise, we advance our dedication to integrity, resilience, and excellence.
Expedition Behavior
Expedition Behavior (EB) is the guiding principle and foundation behind what we do, how we teach, and who we are at NOLS. Expedition Behavior is critical to the team's success - whether in a wilderness setting or your daily life at work or home. Our group and personal goals are aligned and in support of each other, and when we collaboratively work together, both can be achieved.
