When exploring the twists and turns of a river, or navigating without a trail through thick brush and high alpine ridges, it can seem like you’re far away from everything. But on a NOLS expedition, many teens, like Kenneth K., have found themselves even more connected to those around them: “One of my most important lessons on my NOLS course was learning how to get along with people on the spot and to be given the chance to trust them, learn from them, and help each other get stronger while hiking and rafting.”
Kenneth K.’s NOLS course took him backpacking and rafting along the Salmon River in Idaho. NOLS, a nonprofit based in Lander, Wyoming, has a long relationship with the Teton Valley. Hundreds of teens like Kenneth have come to the NOLS Teton Valley branch to experience life away from the hustle and pressures of day-to-day life. Many of these students rely on scholarships to bring a NOLS course within reach.
More than time away from the hustle of classes, sports, and social media, a NOLS course offers opportunities for growth at a critical time for teenages. In the course of navigating a river or exploring mountain passes, students also learn a structured leadership curriculum under the mentorship of experienced instructors. A river crossing is an opportunity to learn about judgment and communication; living in a small community creates moments of seeing the world through the eyes of another, and learning to work as a team helps people to achieve larger goals.
The outcomes of a NOLS course last long after the expedition is over. Entrepreneur and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph credits much of his life success to what he learned on a NOLS course he took when he was 14: “NOLS is responsible for almost all of the professional accomplishments that I have made. All the skills that come from being successful as an entrepreneur are all things that I learned with NOLS.”
The world and our local communities have always needed skilled leaders to solve big problems; a NOLS expedition for a local Teton Valley teen can be a crucial step in the development of tomorrow’s leaders. Isabelle M., who took a NOLS Expedition on the Salmon River Adventure, remembers how a NOLS course made her realize she’s capable of more than she imagined: “We paddled downstream, our cheerful energy giving us the strength to make it to camp. Times like that reminded and continue to remind me how much a group of determined, positive people can achieve. At times it may seem like something is impossible or too hard, but when you’re surrounded by people who support and believe in you, anything’s possible and everything’s alright.”
Your support can help provide local Teton Valley students with life-changing experiences and foster a lifelong love for the landscapes that are in their own backyard.
