NOLS - Semester in the Rockies

  United States

• Other Cities in United States: 
Lander

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 

Description: NOLS invented the outdoor semester, and this course is where it all began. A Semester in the Rockies will take you on a wild west tour de force while giving you a complete set of skills to lead and teach in the backcountry, whether in the field of outdoor education or with your own friends and family. Our grads are among the most well-rounded and self-sufficient backcountry travelers in the world. They can paddle a canoe down a Class III rapid, make a quick medical decision miles from the nearest road, and navigate through winding slot canyons.

You'll see some of the great American West's most treasured spots, carving a telemark turn through the winter wilderness on one section and jamming your hands into cracks climbing Devil's Tower National Monument on the next.

Because the Rockies are a mecca for outdoor activities, the Semester in the Rockies offers a variety of skill sets, allowing students to choose the combinations they prefer.

Each Semester in the Rockies is made up of three or four sections offering different combinations of skills.

* Backpacking
(summer and fall) Map reading, route-finding, cooking and Leave No Trace practices will become second nature as you travel through Wyomings Wind River or Absaroka ranges. Advanced topics covered on this section will include fly fishing, baking, off-trail navigation, GPS use and environmental ethics.

* Mountaineering
(fall) The rugged glacier-carved Wind River Range is the ideal environment for learning wilderness mountaineering. The rock climbing, belaying and rappelling skills you'll learn on this section will enable you to challenge yourself on technical peak ascents. You'll hone fundamental skills such as map reading, route finding and cooking as your expedition travels through the mountains.

* Skiing & snowboarding
(fall and spring) The Rocky Mountains harsh and beautiful winter environment will create some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your semester. After breaking trail from camp to camp, you'll dig in, building a snow shelter for you and your peers to live in. Much time will also be devoted to practicing the telemark turn or your snowboarding technique on backcountry slopes, and assessing snow and avalanche conditions.

* Rock Climbing
(summer, fall and spring) This fast-paced section takes place in the Wests most famous climbing areas, from Nevada's Red Rocks, to Idahos City of Rocks, to the Needles in South Dakota, and many others in between. It begins with a foundation of skills such as bouldering, belaying, rappelling, knots and climbing techniques. Plan on spending a lot of time climbing. Once you're comfortable in the vertical world, well emphasize advanced topics such as anchor construction, direct aid, belay escapes and gear selection. If you're ready, there will be opportunities to lead climb.

* River Travel
(summer, fall and spring) This multi-day expedition through Utah's scenic river canyons or Idahos famous Salmon River will introduce you to the fun and excitement of whitewater. Whether in a kayak, a canoe, an oar raft or a paddle raft, you'll learn to read the water, scout rapids, and execute maneuvers such as eddy-turns, peel-outs and ferries. Depending on your craft, advanced skills such as surfing, playboating, raft captaining and solo canoeing will be taught and practiced on this hands-on section.

* Horsepacking
(fall and spring) From NOLS Three Peaks Ranch at the base of the Wind River Range, you'll learn and practice the skills needed to enjoy an extended horsepacking expedition. Four days at the ranch encompasses saddling, riding, packing and getting to know your horses; then you'll be ready to embark on a two-week wilderness trip.

* Canyon
(fall and spring) Developing and expanding your own leadership style is the focus of this section, which culminates in a multi-day, student-led expedition. You'll travel through the stunning red rock canyons of Southern Utah where you'll study Anasazi rock art and ruins, desert ecology, canyoneering, and land-use politics.

* Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
(fall and spring) This 16-hour section, specific to wilderness emergencies, is offered by the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) of NOLS. The course is the approved certification for the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and many other governmental agencies and outdoor programs.

* Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
(optional fall and spring) Offered by WMI of NOLS, this 80-hour section is for outdoor professionals and will give you the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote settings.

* Student Expedition
(summer, fall and spring) Bringing all the skills learned on your semester together, this section allows students to create and plan food, logistics and route for a student-led 7- to 10-day expedition.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD 9,175 - USD 10,700

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. Tuition at any school involves a significant commitment. NOLS offers several options to help defray the impact of these expenses and to help you protect your investment. Each year NOLS offers over USD 800,000 dollars in scholarship assistance. Scholarship aid is available to applicants who show great potential to excel as NOLS students and who would be unable to attend without financial aid. These scholarship dollars are made available through the generosity of alumni and friends to the NOLS Fund. Our graduates realize the great impact a NOLS education has and volunteer both time and money to further the school's mission. Depending upon course type and cost, the typical award ranges between USD 500 and USD 2,000. Full tuition scholarships are rare, but are possible. Semester scholarships never exceed USD 4,500. Please do not apply for a higher dollar amount than you need.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

NOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School's Mission Statement: The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.

Year Founded: 1965