Paddling School and Wilderness Survival School Announce 2011 Calendars

2011 Paddling School Calendar
2011 Wilderness Survival School Calendar

Two of NOC’s most popular programs, the Paddling School and Wilderness Survival School, will provide even more learning opportunities this year with expanded curriculums, new courses and more dates.

Learning to surf at a private instruction session with
NOC Paddling School instructor Anne Sontheimer.

Under the direction of Jon Clark the Paddling School (and its staff of over 30 instructors) has adapted its 2011 schedule to offer the most variety possible for all skill levels and ages. The 2011 PS Calendar is packed full of whitewater kayaking and canoe courses, women’s only sessions, kids and teen kayak programs, as well as an array of leadership courses including ACA Swiftwater Rescue, the all new Youth River Leadership course, and NOC’s famous Raft Guide School.

Paddlers should also consider affordable one-day workshops on rolling and paddling the Nantahala, and the always-popular private instruction session, where you dictate your itinerary with one of the best paddling instructors in the world. Whether you have one day, a weekend, or a week to spend on the water, NOC Paddling School has the fun courses that will develop your paddling skills.

Survival school students learn basic trapping methods
at NOC's Hemlock Ridge survival course.

It's hard to imagine that NOC's Wilderness Survival School (WSS) started this time last year! Thanks to higher-than-anticipated demand our instructors have accelerated the development of the program curriculum, which debuts this season. This program's goal is to provide participants all the tools needed to survive in challenging wilderness environments. The process involves three stages of progression and multiple skills workshops along the way to hone in on specialty areas.

The 2011 WSS Calendar offers the opportunity to complete the entire progression in 2011. Also, there are special offerings like a Father/Son Survival Weekend Retreat (mothers and daughters are encouraged to attend as well!) and an Ultimate Survival Youth Camp—the coolest summer camp for outdoor-loving kids. Our instructors' philosophy is one of advancement through experience, so expect to build your own shelter, refine your knife skills and learn to start fires with your own two hands. These courses are just as fun as they are enriching!