Month: January 2020

Nobody likes to be hot and sweaty on the trail. But when things turn from being uncomfortable to becoming downright dangerous, it’s time for quick, on-the-spot emergency action.

Heat illness is a range of medical conditions that result from the body’s inability to cope with an elevated heat load. When that occurs, it is more commonly referred to as “heat strain.” And whether you’re inactive in a warm, humid environment or participating in strenuous physical activity in the fall or winter, you are at an increased risk of heat illness.

For people who engage in backcountry adventures, heat illness and heat strain are among the many potential health and safety risks. That’s why our instructors at The National Center for Outdoor Adventure Education (NCOAE) include it in our Wilderness Medicine courses. In this post, we bring you up to speed on the basics, including the symptoms to watch for, preventive

One of the major “perks” of working as a field instructor, guide, or senior staff in the outdoor education and adventure-based programming sector of the outdoor industry used to be an offer of free or low-cost housing. Today, that incentive is more elusive, both for employees at our peer organizations and the staff we hire here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE).

Affordable staff housing — or the lack thereof — tops the list of major financial issues facing those of us who oversee the experiential education programs we run at NCOAE. Our instructors and staff come from around the globe to teach and facilitate our outdoor adventure and education programs. And for us, it has always been important that when they arrive on campus, we attempt to make sure the stress of basic needs does not overshadow the joy of the work.

Carolina Beach, North

Outdoor kitchens are all the rage nowadays, and installing an outdoor kitchen in your backyard could be a great project. If you’re unsure of whether or not you want to make this investment, consider all of these reasons why it’ll probably be worth it to do so.

They Boost Home Values

Whether you think you’ll sell your home in the future or not, you probably want to maintain its value. You can actually increase your home’s value by adding a nice outdoor kitchen. This is particularly true if it’s properly designed, installed, and maintained.

It Can Make Your Home More Luxurious

You might have a luxury home, or you might be wondering how you can turn your traditional home into a more luxurious property. With a little searching, you’ll probably find that many of the luxury homes in your area feature nice outdoor spaces, including outdoor kitchens. You can enjoy

2022 Holiday Backpacking Gear Shopping Deals: products that won’t break the bank! Christmas is a month away, and I don’t know about you, but I’m already looking for gear guides that won’t break the bank when I purchase a few things. Times are getting a bit tough and prices are through the roof.

I’ve compiled a list of products in various price ranges to suit even the tightest of wallets this year! If you’re interested to see how 2021’s Gear Guide held up, you can check on it here.

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Welcome to our recurring series of “The Path Less Traveled.” In this series, we want to take you along for our exploits out in the wilderness while hiking, camping, exploring, and general adventuring. This will include our small daily victories, foibles, tips, tricks, and reviews of gear we authentically appreciate and frequently utilize. While a well-worn trail can often