National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education Launches High School Semester Program

Wilmington, NC – April 8, 2025: The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is proud to announce the launch of its High School Semester Program — a transformative academic and adventure-based experience designed for 10th- and 11th-grade students. This innovative program combines on-campus research with field-based science expeditions around the world. Guided by an honors-level curriculum, the coursework focuses on natural science, anthropogenic (human-caused) effects and outdoor leadership training and development. For more information, visit NCOAE.org and search summer semester.

Students who complete the High School Summer Semester earn academic credit in Honors Natural Science and Outdoor Leadership through NCOAE’s Cognia accreditation, ensuring credits are widely recognized and transferable to high schools and post-secondary institutions in the U.S. and internationally. Additional certifications in Leave No Trace and Wilderness First Aid may also be awarded.

With locations in North Carolina, Oregon, and Ecuador, the NCOAE High School Semester Program — launching in summer 2025 with a 32-day summer semester — offers a unique alternative to traditional classroom learning by integrating academic credit, outdoor leadership certification, and real-world experience in an immersive setting.

“This program is designed for students who want more than just traditional classroom learning,” said Zac Adair, co-founder and executive director of NCOAE. “By combining rigorous academics, science expeditions, and field work  with adventure and leadership training, we’re creating an educational experience that challenges students to think critically, problem-solve in real time, and develop skills that will serve them for life.”

Students participating in an NCOAE High School Semester, including the Summer 2025 program, will engage in a dynamic mix of campus-based instruction and field-based wilderness research and adventure, ensuring that academic concepts are applied in real-world settings. Coursework is complemented by science expeditions, environmental research, and leadership challenges, allowing students to:

• Explore and research ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability firsthand through mountain summiting, whitewater navigation, and conservation projects
• Develop resilience and teamwork in small-group wilderness settings
• Build confidence as decision-makers and problem-solvers in outdoor leadership roles

NCOAE is currently accepting applications for its High School Semester Program. Students interested in academic credit, outdoor adventure, and leadership development are encouraged to apply. NCOAE’s admissions process is designed to welcome motivated individuals ready for personal growth and hands-on learning in the natural world.

About The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE)

Since launching its first courses in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, in 2009, NCOAE has grown into a global leader in outdoor education and adventure-based programming. Based in Wilmington, NC, NCOAE is committed to creating and facilitating academic experiences that foster personal growth, professional development, and lifelong learning. Accredited by Cognia, the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), and the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), NCOAE provides courses and training across the United States and internationally, including in Patagonia and other global destinations. For more information, visit www.NCOAE.org.

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Media Contact:

Margee Herring
910-233-2466 M
margeeherring@gmail.com

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