National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - Nols - Index

8
LEADERSHIP
Top left: Your highly skilled instructors will model leadership and then you'll take the helm. Bottom left: At NOLS, you'll work as a team to accomplish a goal, and have fun while you're
at it! Right and far right: Charting your course and scouting a river are opportunities to problem solve, a critical leadership skill.
NATURAL LEARNING
I was first introduced to NOLS by the Student Expedition Program
(STEP), a leadership training program that works with NOLS to
provide meaningful educational experiences for low-income students
aspiring to go to college. The NOLS community has to be
one of the most accepting and loving communities in the world,
but I would not have been able to fully understand my leadership
style were it not for the wilderness. There is something about getting
up in the morning to the mirror-like tide creeping back to the
ocean, to the reflection of brilliant sun on floating icebergs, and
having the serenity to write and reflect. Without any distractions or
influences that could alter my thinking, I had the opportunity of
looking into myself and learning what kind of leader I truly am.
LEARNING BY LEADING
During my NOLS expedition, the greatest learning moments were
the leadership opportunities. At the beginning of the course, our
instructors demonstrated what needed to be done, detailing time of
Brad Christensen
Rainbow Weinstock
NOLS DEVELOPS LEADERS.
NOLS leadership by Cynthia Arellano, Alaska Sea Kayaking Expedition '05, Alaska Outdoor Educator '06
departure, estimated time of arrival, and any dangers we may encounter
along the way for each travel day. Soon enough, though,
student leaders were stepping into that role. The day my turn came
to be leader was the day I learned the most. I realized I must not
only take care of myself, but I must be alert to my team and coursemates.
Most importantly, I learned that a leader must herself be a
follower, a listener, and part of the team.
LEADERSHIP FOR LIFE
The leadership skills I acquired throughout my NOLS experiences
immediately transferred to the real world. I came back from my course
ready for more, and after an internship at NOLS Alaska and a section
of backpacking on an Alaska Outdoor Educator course, I have become
an even stronger, more confident leader. My philosophy became
teamwork and perseverance. Teamwork allows me to be a proficient
captain to my volleyball team. Perseverance serves as motivation to
never give up. My newly gained leadership skills will continue to guide
my way of living in the work place and everywhere else.
Tracy Baynes