The Development of theNational Outdoor Leadership

School

The Development of theNational Outdoor Leadership

SchoolBy Matt JostBy Matt JostBy Matt JostBy Matt Jost

The Outdoor Industry During the 1950’s and 1960’sThe Outdoor Industry During the 1950’s and 1960’s University’s began to develop experiential University’s began to develop experiential

programmingprogramming Prescott College, Evergreen College, University of Prescott College, Evergreen College, University of

OregonOregon Large influx of student growth within university’s Large influx of student growth within university’s Outward Bound International started in 1941 - Outward Bound International started in 1941 -

Founded by Kurt HahnFounded by Kurt Hahn Outward Bound USA 1962 - Founded by Josh Outward Bound USA 1962 - Founded by Josh

Miner; key players - Paul Petzoldt & Tap TapleyMiner; key players - Paul Petzoldt & Tap Tapley NOLS becomes established in 1965NOLS becomes established in 1965

University’s began to develop experiential University’s began to develop experiential programmingprogramming Prescott College, Evergreen College, University of Prescott College, Evergreen College, University of

OregonOregon Large influx of student growth within university’s Large influx of student growth within university’s Outward Bound International started in 1941 - Outward Bound International started in 1941 -

Founded by Kurt HahnFounded by Kurt Hahn Outward Bound USA 1962 - Founded by Josh Outward Bound USA 1962 - Founded by Josh

Miner; key players - Paul Petzoldt & Tap TapleyMiner; key players - Paul Petzoldt & Tap Tapley NOLS becomes established in 1965NOLS becomes established in 1965

Outdoor Industry Continued…Outdoor Industry Continued…

National Park become huge attractionsNational Park become huge attractions March 17, 1864 California set aside state land for March 17, 1864 California set aside state land for

Yosemite Valley CaliforniaYosemite Valley California By 1950 the National Park System had over 30 By 1950 the National Park System had over 30

million visitorsmillion visitors By 1960 the National Park System had over 80 By 1960 the National Park System had over 80

million visitorsmillion visitors By the late 60’s it seems that Americans were By the late 60’s it seems that Americans were

in search of an adventure in the wildernessin search of an adventure in the wilderness

National Park become huge attractionsNational Park become huge attractions March 17, 1864 California set aside state land for March 17, 1864 California set aside state land for

Yosemite Valley CaliforniaYosemite Valley California By 1950 the National Park System had over 30 By 1950 the National Park System had over 30

million visitorsmillion visitors By 1960 the National Park System had over 80 By 1960 the National Park System had over 80

million visitorsmillion visitors By the late 60’s it seems that Americans were By the late 60’s it seems that Americans were

in search of an adventure in the wildernessin search of an adventure in the wilderness

What is NOLSWhat is NOLS

National Outdoor Leadership SchoolNational Outdoor Leadership SchoolA school that aspires to teach A school that aspires to teach

individuals of all ages technical outdoor individuals of all ages technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental skills, leadership, and environmental ethics in outdoor classroomsethics in outdoor classrooms

National Outdoor Leadership SchoolNational Outdoor Leadership SchoolA school that aspires to teach A school that aspires to teach

individuals of all ages technical outdoor individuals of all ages technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental skills, leadership, and environmental ethics in outdoor classroomsethics in outdoor classrooms

The Founder - Paul Petzoldt The Founder - Paul Petzoldt

1909 - 19991909 - 1999 Well established Mt. ClimberWell established Mt. Climber

1st U.S. expedition to climb K-21st U.S. expedition to climb K-2 1st Chief Instructor of Outward Bound in USA1st Chief Instructor of Outward Bound in USA Founded NOLS in 1965 at age 56Founded NOLS in 1965 at age 56 Founded Wilderness Education AssociationFounded Wilderness Education Association Founded Paul Petzoldt Leadership School Founded Paul Petzoldt Leadership School

age 88age 88

1909 - 19991909 - 1999 Well established Mt. ClimberWell established Mt. Climber

1st U.S. expedition to climb K-21st U.S. expedition to climb K-2 1st Chief Instructor of Outward Bound in USA1st Chief Instructor of Outward Bound in USA Founded NOLS in 1965 at age 56Founded NOLS in 1965 at age 56 Founded Wilderness Education AssociationFounded Wilderness Education Association Founded Paul Petzoldt Leadership School Founded Paul Petzoldt Leadership School

age 88age 88

Outward Bound’s RoleOutward Bound’s Role

Paul Petzoldt and Tap Tapley helped Paul Petzoldt and Tap Tapley helped establish the Colorado branch of Outward establish the Colorado branch of Outward BoundBound Petzoldt was in charge of MountaineeringPetzoldt was in charge of Mountaineering

Petzoldt saw a need to train the leaders Petzoldt saw a need to train the leaders within Outward Boundwithin Outward Bound ““WeWell, it’lll, it’lll be a leadership school, so we should call be a leadership school, so we should call

it something like that…”it something like that…” A statement that Petzoldt told Tapley after he came up A statement that Petzoldt told Tapley after he came up

with the idea for a training school, which would become with the idea for a training school, which would become NOLS.NOLS.

Paul Petzoldt and Tap Tapley helped Paul Petzoldt and Tap Tapley helped establish the Colorado branch of Outward establish the Colorado branch of Outward BoundBound Petzoldt was in charge of MountaineeringPetzoldt was in charge of Mountaineering

Petzoldt saw a need to train the leaders Petzoldt saw a need to train the leaders within Outward Boundwithin Outward Bound ““WeWell, it’lll, it’lll be a leadership school, so we should call be a leadership school, so we should call

it something like that…”it something like that…” A statement that Petzoldt told Tapley after he came up A statement that Petzoldt told Tapley after he came up

with the idea for a training school, which would become with the idea for a training school, which would become NOLS.NOLS.

Other Key PlayersOther Key Players

Tap Tapley - Help establish NOLSTap Tapley - Help establish NOLS Met Paul in the ArmyMet Paul in the Army

Paul was teaching the 10 Mountain Division in Winter Paul was teaching the 10 Mountain Division in Winter camping skills camping skills

One of the first instructor for NOLSOne of the first instructor for NOLS

Outward Bound - Kurt Hahn Outward Bound - Kurt Hahn Set a standard for outdoor leadership and outdoor Set a standard for outdoor leadership and outdoor

leadership schoolsleadership schools

Tap Tapley - Help establish NOLSTap Tapley - Help establish NOLS Met Paul in the ArmyMet Paul in the Army

Paul was teaching the 10 Mountain Division in Winter Paul was teaching the 10 Mountain Division in Winter camping skills camping skills

One of the first instructor for NOLSOne of the first instructor for NOLS

Outward Bound - Kurt Hahn Outward Bound - Kurt Hahn Set a standard for outdoor leadership and outdoor Set a standard for outdoor leadership and outdoor

leadership schoolsleadership schools

Outcomes that NOLS Aspired for in the beginningOutcomes that NOLS Aspired for in the beginning““The new leader program will attempt to The new leader program will attempt to

fill this need, training both instructors fill this need, training both instructors and providing the type of rugged and providing the type of rugged outdoor experience that can compete outdoor experience that can compete with the more certified toe of challenge with the more certified toe of challenge that draws young people to hotrodding that draws young people to hotrodding and some less savory types of and some less savory types of adventures.” (Quote from Paul Petzoldt adventures.” (Quote from Paul Petzoldt in The Riverton Ranger in Lander on in The Riverton Ranger in Lander on March 23, 1965.)March 23, 1965.)

““The new leader program will attempt to The new leader program will attempt to fill this need, training both instructors fill this need, training both instructors and providing the type of rugged and providing the type of rugged outdoor experience that can compete outdoor experience that can compete with the more certified toe of challenge with the more certified toe of challenge that draws young people to hotrodding that draws young people to hotrodding and some less savory types of and some less savory types of adventures.” (Quote from Paul Petzoldt adventures.” (Quote from Paul Petzoldt in The Riverton Ranger in Lander on in The Riverton Ranger in Lander on March 23, 1965.)March 23, 1965.)

Organization of the NOLS First TripsOrganization of the NOLS First Trips

June 8, 1965 food was issued for the first tripJune 8, 1965 food was issued for the first trip 100 students made up the first expedition 100 students made up the first expedition Paul Petzoldt was the only leaderPaul Petzoldt was the only leader

Continued in this pattern for first five yearsContinued in this pattern for first five years Group was split into groups of 12 or so.Group was split into groups of 12 or so.

A patrol leaders was voted and placed in charge of A patrol leaders was voted and placed in charge of the group reporting back to Petzoldt after each tripthe group reporting back to Petzoldt after each trip

The groups traveled separately on different The groups traveled separately on different trails assigned by Petzoldt trails assigned by Petzoldt

June 8, 1965 food was issued for the first tripJune 8, 1965 food was issued for the first trip 100 students made up the first expedition 100 students made up the first expedition Paul Petzoldt was the only leaderPaul Petzoldt was the only leader

Continued in this pattern for first five yearsContinued in this pattern for first five years Group was split into groups of 12 or so.Group was split into groups of 12 or so.

A patrol leaders was voted and placed in charge of A patrol leaders was voted and placed in charge of the group reporting back to Petzoldt after each tripthe group reporting back to Petzoldt after each trip

The groups traveled separately on different The groups traveled separately on different trails assigned by Petzoldt trails assigned by Petzoldt

First trips continued…First trips continued… The groups backpacked through various trials The groups backpacked through various trials

of the Wind River Rangeof the Wind River Range Hidden Valley Ranch Trailed to startHidden Valley Ranch Trailed to start

Trips lasted one monthTrips lasted one month Three trips went in the first summerThree trips went in the first summer Clothing for the trips was from Army Surplus Clothing for the trips was from Army Surplus

left over from the Korean Warleft over from the Korean War Issued and deissued at the end of the tripIssued and deissued at the end of the trip Became the NOLS official uniformBecame the NOLS official uniform

Petzoldt designed & produced clothing that Petzoldt designed & produced clothing that was needed but not commercially available was needed but not commercially available

The groups backpacked through various trials The groups backpacked through various trials of the Wind River Rangeof the Wind River Range Hidden Valley Ranch Trailed to startHidden Valley Ranch Trailed to start

Trips lasted one monthTrips lasted one month Three trips went in the first summerThree trips went in the first summer Clothing for the trips was from Army Surplus Clothing for the trips was from Army Surplus

left over from the Korean Warleft over from the Korean War Issued and deissued at the end of the tripIssued and deissued at the end of the trip Became the NOLS official uniformBecame the NOLS official uniform

Petzoldt designed & produced clothing that Petzoldt designed & produced clothing that was needed but not commercially available was needed but not commercially available

NOLS Mission and Values TodayNOLS Mission and Values Today ““The mission of the National Outdoor The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.” (NOLS people and the environment.” (NOLS website)website)

““The NOLS community-its staff, The NOLS community-its staff, students, trustees, and alumni-shares students, trustees, and alumni-shares a commitment to wilderness, education, a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and leadership, safety, community, and excellence. These values define and excellence. These values define and direct who we are, what we do, and how direct who we are, what we do, and how we do it.” (NOLS website)we do it.” (NOLS website)

““The mission of the National Outdoor The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.” (NOLS people and the environment.” (NOLS website)website)

““The NOLS community-its staff, The NOLS community-its staff, students, trustees, and alumni-shares students, trustees, and alumni-shares a commitment to wilderness, education, a commitment to wilderness, education, leadership, safety, community, and leadership, safety, community, and excellence. These values define and excellence. These values define and direct who we are, what we do, and how direct who we are, what we do, and how we do it.” (NOLS website)we do it.” (NOLS website)

Resources Resources

http://www.nols.edu/about/values.shtmlhttp://www.nols.edu/about/values.shtml http://www.nols.edu/about/history/nols_historyhttp://www.nols.edu/about/history/nols_history

.shtml.shtml

http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/history.htmhttp://www.isu.edu/outdoor/history.htm http://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/05fall/tap_thttp://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/05fall/tap_t

apley_returns.shtmlapley_returns.shtml

The Riverton Ranger (Lander’s Newspaper) The Riverton Ranger (Lander’s Newspaper) http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/timelihttp://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/timeli

ne/ne/

http://www.nols.edu/about/values.shtmlhttp://www.nols.edu/about/values.shtml http://www.nols.edu/about/history/nols_historyhttp://www.nols.edu/about/history/nols_history

.shtml.shtml

http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/history.htmhttp://www.isu.edu/outdoor/history.htm http://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/05fall/tap_thttp://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/05fall/tap_t

apley_returns.shtmlapley_returns.shtml

The Riverton Ranger (Lander’s Newspaper) The Riverton Ranger (Lander’s Newspaper) http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/timelihttp://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/timeli

ne/ne/