NOLS

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blackhawkmom

5-Year Member
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Apr 9, 2010
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What is this -how much does it cost and is it considered one of the summer blocks or in addition to?
 
National Outdoor Leadership School- it's expensive, $5000 at least ,demanding ,amazing, and an experience that they won't forget. I've had 2 children go. One to British Columbia on a glacier, one backpacking in the Wind River area in Wyoming. Can't recommend it highly enough! The NOLS people are awesome!
 
DS is considering NOLS also this summer. He stated that it counts as one of the blocks, but he's getting more info. Since this is Plebe year, he's double checking everything to make sure he understands what this counts for. You can check out the program at www.nols.edu

It looks incredible, but it is pricey. We are all starting to save for it starting today!
 
NOLS is something USNA allows midshipmen to do as a summer block, but it's not a part of official USNA summer training curriculum. We have had 4 sponsor sons/daughters do it, and they stated it was worth every penny in terms of the leadership development, personal maturation and unforgettable adventure factor. It is very expensive, and will be out of the reach of many mids, so it's a nice thing to do, but not critical to their status at USNA.
 
DS has always liked high adventure, so this looks right up his alley. I have ordered the catalogue so we can find out more about it.
 
As noted, great stuff, very costly (ditto on the minimum $5K, not counting travel, all of which is personal expensed), sexy. No special credit. Special permission necessary.

NOLS is available to all, and there will be many/most who are not USNAs.
 
various NOLS courses geared for USNA midshipmen :
http://www.nols.edu/nolspro/naval_academy.shtml#NASK

My midn attended NOLS -Alaska seakayaking last June (training block 1).......as mentioned previously, very expensive but also worthwhile according to the mid. 28 days of high adventure , leadership training and truly world-class experiences and scenery. And the salmon caught in Prince William Sound and eaten that evening for dinner were pretty special also :thumb: He'd do it again if offered (althou he'd have to pack me inside his seabag this time if he wants me to pay again):shake:
Btw- these special leadership courses are exclusive to USNA midn...there were 12 mids and 3 guides in his expedition......and....no hot showers while on the boats.
NOLS does offer some scholarship $$
Be sure to budget for travel expenses to/from NOLS....including air, hotel, meals, taxi
 
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My understanding, from 2 Mids on Alaskan adventures, Mids were in the minority among secular institutional studies.
 
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