Featured Course | Year in the U.S

FEATURED COURSE Year in the United States

By Kaylan Scott Advancement Stewardship Coordinator

NOLS’ Year in the United States course is one of the longest, most varied, and most ecologically-diverse NOLS courses to date—and it was born out of necessity.

In summer 2020, interest in NOLS courses rose to unprecedented levels, as students sought alternatives to college campuses or virtual education. These were in addition to students who’d already planned to incorporate a NOLS course into their gap year. Fall semester courses filled at record speeds, and waitlists grew into triple digits.

Meanwhile, a number of fall courses had to be canceled in 2020 when it became clear that travel restrictions would prevent operations at non-U.S. NOLS locations. One of the cancelled courses was the Year in Patagonia, at the time our only yearlong program. Something had to be done to provide an analogous experience for these suddenly course-less students, as well as to meet the ever-increasing demand for longer courses.

“I was in a meeting on Monday where someone had the idea for a year-long domestic course, and by Friday we were enrolling,” said Kary Sommers, NOLS Assistant Director of Marketing, remembering the creation of the Year in the United States course. “It was a very quick roll out.”

The Year in the United States enrolled at lightning speed as soon as it hit the website. Over 132 field days, divided into fall and spring with a two-week winter break, Year in the United States students travel from the high peaks of Wyoming to the red canyons of Utah, gaining backpacking, canyoneering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and whitewater skills. Students also earn their Wilderness First Responder certification, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Level 1 Avalanche training. They can earn up to 27 college credits for their participation in the course, making it a great option for students who will go to college in the future, or are already pursuing a degree.

The inaugural group of 14 NOLS Year in the United States students went into the field last October and graduated in March, nearly a year to the day of the pandemic’s first anniversary.

“The Year in the United States has been a life changing experience for me,” reflected alumna Brooke Pasmick. “Living in the backcountry so long with thirteen other people changed how I view the world and myself.”

Although the NOLS Year in the United States began as a creative solution to a situational challenge, and a course of this length presents many logistical considerations, “it’s not just a placeholder,” Kary said. “We intend to run this course into the future.”

The NOLS Year in the United States provides a unique opportunity to explore American wilderness, gain a veritable laundry list of outdoor skills, earn college credit, and build leadership acumen in an immersive and supportive environment.

“Getting people outside,” Kary mused, “it’s what we do best.”

Kaylan Scott learned this on her 2016 NOLS New Zealand Spring Semester: the outdoors is where it’s at. When not adventuring, you can find her rereading favorite books at home in Portland, Maine with her partner and two cats.