NOLS Scholarship Program
Annually, more than 900 students who show real potential and an inability to attend a course without financial help are awarded a collective total of almost $2 million dollars in NOLS scholarships.
We believe everyone has a unique and valuable perspective and that inclusion is intrinsically connected to strong leadership. Scholarships allow us to reach a wider, more diverse audience, strengthening our programs from the ground up.
Sustainability and Wildland Protection
From advocating for the protection of wild places to passing on Leave No Trace wilderness ethics to our students, your gift helps protect our wild lands.
Research and Curriculum Development
Your gift supports a wide range of research and curriculum development from ensuring that standard rations meet students’ needs by tracking their metabolic output to collecting data on medical incidents in the field. These projects aren’t just for our benefit; we share information to help other wilderness and outdoor organizations as well.
I joined a group of C5 LA Leaders on an expedition at NOLS Rocky Mountain. I went into this experience hoping to witness firsthand the NOLS model and understand how to grow our partnership. It was, in essence, a ‘business trip’ that turned out to be so much more … To be back on the frontlines with the C5 Leaders reminded me and reaffirmed the value in the work that we do. I couldn’t be more proud or confident in this partnership and look forward to continuing to deepen our work together.
Joseph A. Collins Executive Director of C5 Los Angeles
What an incredibly profound experience. I am so grateful and appreciative to all involved in making this program a reality—safe, engaging, and universally enriching, with a pure life and earth impact that my child will forever carry.
Mary Tooker parent of a Fall Semester in Baja graduate
As it turns out, NOLS is not just a culture but a mindset preparing you to step in and act. To care for others with no relation. To prepare with respect to the craft. To practice as a member of your community.
Geena Ramirez Wilderness EMT graduate
Many days I woke up, exhausted and sore, and wondered why I thought I had the strength to do the course in the first place. Then I would reach the end of that day more tired, more wet, and somehow more alive. To the donors who made this possible: Know that your donation truly, directly helped someone self-actualize, and I believe that is the greatest thing someone can give.
Natalie Hauptman Semester in New Zealand graduate
Cristina Edwards | November 19, 2018
Before Rebeca Espinosa set off on her Wilderness Horsepacking course, she wasn’t sure she’d be challenged on the 21-day expedition.
Sarah Buer | July 6, 2016
Wilderness has no handrails, no telephones, and no simple solutions for complex emergency situations. It does have dangers.
