The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education

Name

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education

Legal name

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education

Website

https://ncoae.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Education and Wilderness Medicine Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM), Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools) (THAAAOAI), Adult Skill-Building Expeditions & Courses (Leadership, Survival, Navigation) (THAAAOAC)

Keywords

• Outdoor adventure education
• Wilderness medicine training
• EMT certification courses
• Custom outdoor programs
• Experiential education semesters

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Expedition Course Tuition: Primary revenue stream from outdoor expeditions and adventure courses. Tuition covers food, lodging, instruction, transportation during course, group equipment, and certifications. Prices range from $550 for 5-day Camp L.E.A.D. to $13,895 for 60-day Gap Semester programs.
2. Medical Training Tuition: EMT and wilderness medicine certification courses. Standard EMT 21-day courses at $3,395-$3,495; Wilderness First Responder 5-day courses at $815; Wilderness First Aid 2-day courses at $265-$285. Includes certification exam eligibility.
3. Custom Program Fees: Bespoke outdoor education programs for organizations (schools, corporations, government agencies). Group pricing 15-25% lower than individual enrollment. Minimum 9 participants for custom programs. Includes program design, instruction, and logistics.
4. Academic Credit Fees: College credit through University of North Carolina Wilmington for select courses. EVS courses offering 1-6 credits for field experiences and wilderness medicine training. Additional fees separate from course tuition.
5. On-Campus Housing: Optional overnight accommodations at Wilmington campus: tent pad rental $20/night, shared cabin space $35/night. Included in tuition for expeditions starting from Wilmington campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCOAE delivers outdoor adventure education programs combining wilderness expeditions, leadership development, and medical training certifications. Core offerings include summer adventure camps for ages 8-17, wilderness medicine and EMT certification courses, multi-week semester programs (high school honors and gap year), and customized outdoor education programs designed for schools, universities, corporations, and government agencies. Tuition per person ranges from $265 for a 2-day Wilderness First Aid course to $13,895 for a 60-day Gap Semester program.

Product overview

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is a values-based outdoor adventure education provider offering a diverse portfolio of programs across multiple locations (Alaska, North Carolina, Pacific Northwest/Oregon, Idaho, Ecuador, and Patagonia). The core product portfolio includes: (1) Summer Adventure Camps for ages 15-17 and Camp L.E.A.D. programs for younger ages (8-14); (2) Medical Training programs including Standard, Hybrid, and Self-Paced EMT courses plus Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, and Wilderness EMT certifications; (3) Semester Programs including High School Summer Semester (32-day Honors program) and Gap Semester (60-day programs); (4) Expedition programs for adults and teens including backpacking, whitewater paddling, rock climbing, and cultural immersion; and (5) Custom Programs for schools, universities, businesses, and government organizations. Add-on offerings include college credit partnerships with UNCW, continuing education credits (CAPCE-accredited), and instructor training programs. The company operates from a headquarters campus in Wilmington, NC with satellite locations in Oregon, Idaho, Ecuador, and Patagonia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp L.E.A.D. A dynamic weeklong summer day camp for 8-11 year olds focused on outdoor adventure, science, art, and imagination. Learn. Explore. Adventure. Discover.
• Camp L.E.A.D. Pro

Products and services

• Summer Adventure Camps (Ages 15-17)

Quantifiable outcome

• Higher student retention rates, higher grade averages, and positive changes in Five C's (Competence, Character, Connection, Confidence, Caring) for schools with outdoor education programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• CogniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOAE is accredited by Cognia, which comprises three recognized regional accrediting bodies (SACS/CASI, NCA/CASI, NWAC). Cognia network encompasses 36,000+ schools in 92+ countries. This accreditation ensures NCOAE academic credits are recognized and transferable to schools nationwide and internationally.
• Association for Experiential Education (AEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOAE holds accreditation from AEE, a leader in recognizing outstanding practices in outdoor and experiential learning. AEE certification validates NCOAE's commitment to immersive education, risk management standards, program delivery, and operational excellence.
• Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPCE accreditation assures NCOAE wilderness medicine continuing education programs meet highest standards for pre-hospital care professionals. CAPCE credits accepted by NREMT and state EMS offices for certification maintenance.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOAE operates under special use permits with National Park Service. Permits allow access to national park lands for expedition programs and wilderness activities.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial use permits for wildlife refuge lands enable NCOAE to conduct outdoor education programs in protected wildlife habitats.
• Bureau of Land ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBLM permits authorize NCOAE programs on Bureau-managed public lands across multiple western states.
• U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPermits include Pisgah, White Mountains, Willamette, and Umatilla National Forests. Multi-forest access enables diverse geographic programming from Pacific Northwest to Eastern woodlands.
• University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership enabling NCOAE students to earn UNCW college credits. EVS courses (485/592) offer 6 credits for field experiences in Ecuador, Alaska, and North Carolina. UNCW is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
• Blueprint EducationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited distance learning school (grades 8-12) enables high school academic credit for NCOAE expedition participants. Students earn credits transferable to home schools.
• Leave No Trace (LNT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOAE curriculum incorporates Leave No Trace principles. Students earn LNT certifications. LNT awareness training included in all expeditions and custom programs.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMT course graduates receive American Heart Association Basic Life Support/CPR certification, valid for two years. Certification included as part of EMT training program completion.
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCOAE EMT courses satisfy eligibility requirements for NREMT certification exam. Students eligible to sit for national registry exam and obtain state EMS certification upon passing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Outward Bound USA: One of the most established outdoor and experiential education providers in the U.S., operating wilderness expeditions for teens and adults. Directly competes with NCOAE on expedition-based leadership and outdoor education programming across multiple regions.
• Sterling College: Small Vermont private college with a strong focus on environmental and outdoor education including field-based study and expedition learning. Closely comparable to NCOAE for audiences seeking credit-bearing, place-based outdoor education experiences.
• Wilderness Medical Associates: Established wilderness medicine certification provider offering WFA, WFR, and WEMT courses. Directly competes with NCOAE's wilderness medicine training program on curriculum, certifications, and instructor training.
• Echo Hill Outdoor School: Mid-Atlantic residential outdoor education school providing field-based programs for K-12 school groups. Closely comparable to NCOAE's K-12 school-group custom program model in audience, format, and curriculum-based delivery.
• Adventure Treks: Teen-focused multi-sport adventure expedition provider operating in regions including the southeastern U.S. and Pacific Northwest. Directly comparable to NCOAE's summer adventure camps and teen expedition programs on audience, pricing tier, and activity mix.
• SOLO Schools: Well-known wilderness and EMT medicine training provider delivering WFA, WFR, and EMT certifications for outdoor professionals and EMS students. Directly comparable to NCOAE's medical training portfolio for audiences seeking pre-hospital credentials.
• Teton Science Schools: Place-based outdoor education organization operating K-12 schools, teacher training, and field programs in the Greater Yellowstone region. Comparable to NCOAE on experiential/place-based learning philosophy and field-based curriculum delivery model.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Leading wilderness education school offering backcountry expeditions, leadership courses, and wilderness medicine certifications for teens and adults. Directly comparable to NCOAE on outdoor leadership curricula, field-based instruction, and remote expedition programs.

Broad incumbents

• Appalachian Mountain Club: Large outdoor recreation and education organization in the Eastern U.S. delivering outdoor skills training, wilderness programs, and conservation education. Overlaps with NCOAE on outdoor education and instructional offerings but operates at much broader scale and scope.
• Prescott College: Higher education institution with undergraduate, graduate, and adventure-based programming oriented around environmental and experiential education. Overlaps with NCOAE on academic semester offerings but operates across broader degree and non-degree formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NCOAE

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education