Lander, Wyo. — Simon Labbe, 22, of Farmington, Maine, recently completed a wilderness expedition traveling in the Teton Valley with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
This past winter, Labbe and 12 other students set out on a course during which they did not have access to modern conveniences and were challenged to step outside their comfort zones. A NOLS education stresses leadership can be learned and is based on the belief that the outdoors is a challenging environment where students will learn technical skills and about themselves.
NOLS believes people thrive when challenged. On this NOLS Winter Outdoor Educator course, students were accompanied by four instructors who are experts in the field. This career course is designed for practicing and aspiring winter outdoor educators. It features an intensive curriculum including snow camping, avalanche instruction and practice teaching classes.
First the group spent time at Grand Targhee Ski Resort refining their ski techniques. Labbe and his coursemates were invested in learning and leading as much as possible. Heading into the backcountry, this expedition traveled 15 miles over 15 days up Arizona creek in Bridger National Forest. The group established two base camps where they dug snow shelters and ski toured. Instructors taught avalanche and leadership skills. This course had seven travel days where Labbe and his coursemates navigated, broke trail and managed the group in designated leadership roles. All students taught formal classes to refine their own teaching skills and completed requirements for a Recreational Level One Avalanche certification.
Students interested in traveling in the mountains this winter like Labbe will find similar courses are still enrolling for the upcoming winter. NOLS Skiing courses teach winter travel skills, leadership and a hands-on avalanche curriculum. On the other hand, students looking to escape from cold winter temperatures can learn technical skills such as sea kayaking and coastal sailing with NOLS Mexico.
Labbe’s Winter Outdoor Educator course was full of exploration and learning. Students learned how to teach risk management, judgment, outdoor living and environmental studies in the winter environment. Labbe and his coursemates graduated from their NOLS course competent and responsible wilderness travelers and leaders. They join the NOLS alumni network of over 221,000 graduates.
Since legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt founded the school in 1965, more than 221,000 students have graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the leader in wilderness education. Whether through field-based courses offered in some of the most awe-inspiring locations in the world or classroom-based courses, the school provides transformative educational experiences to students of all ages. Graduates emerge as active leaders with lifelong environmental ethics and outdoor skills. To discover the NOLS experience or to bring a course to your business or organization, call (800) 710-NOLS (6657) or visit www.nols.edu.
