Rocky Mountain Hiking Instructor Course
This application is now closed.
Please contact field_faculty_development@nols.edu with any questions you might have.
This backpacking Instructor Course will be conducted in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. The course takes place in May which means the bulk of this course will take place in a late winter environment. This includes using snowshoes to travel, navigating safely across snow bridges and frozen rivers and camping/cooking on snow. Your Rocky Mountain Instructor Course will build on any technical outdoor skills you already have as well as fine-tune your teaching skills through an in-depth examination of the NOLS curriculum. This 25-day course includes in-town leadership training, a backpacking expedition, basic training on teaching lessons and how to build and support inclusive course cultures. Successful completion of the instructor course will prepare you to work wilderness backpacking courses for NOLS.
*Update on Home Location: One aspect of prioritization for selection to the NOLS Field Instructor Course is the applicant’s home location. We will prioritize those whose home location is in regional proximity to NOLS’ operating locations (eg: United States, Chile, Mexico, India, East Africa, and New Zealand.) This does NOT mean we will only enroll people who live in these countries. It does mean we will examine your proximity to these NOLS locations in relation to your skills resume and the course skills offered at each of these locations. If you are curious if your home location and skill set fit into our priorities, please reach out to field_faculty_development@nols.edu.
Resources & Downloads
Additional Details
Prerequisite: Minimum of a 70-hour Wilderness First Responder and current adult CPR certification
Duration
25 days
Age
21+ yrs
Tuition
$1,000
4 College Credits
- 2 Outdoor Educator
- 2 Leadership
Certifications
- Leave No Trace Level 2 Educator
Start/End
Lander, Wyoming
Fly In/Out
Riverton, Wyoming
Course Session Dates
No Course Sessions enrolling.
Financial aid & Scholarships
NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:
- AmeriCorps
- 529 College Savings Plans
- Veteran's Benefits (In Wyoming only)
If you are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English, you may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to your wilderness medicine course.
