Landmark Learning
Landmark Learning is a private North Carolina–based outdoor professional training institution that delivers certified wilderness medicine, swiftwater rescue, Leave No Trace, lifeguard, and EMT courses via two on-campus facilities and hosted programs at partner universities across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States, serving outdoor workers, educators, and EMS personnel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSylva, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Landmark Learning does
Landmark Learning is a private, for-profit outdoor professional training institution founded in 1989 by Justin and Mairi Padgett and headquartered on a 40+ acre property in Sylva and Cullowhee, North Carolina. The company operates two campuses — the Downstream Campus (built 2000-2001) and the Upstream Campus featuring the 8,000 sqft Cane Creek Lodge — in the Smoky Mountains alongside Cane Creek, with classroom space, bunkhouses, and camping facilities supporting multi-day residential programs. Its core products are certification courses for the outdoor workforce, delivered under authorized-provider arrangements with NOLS Wilderness Medicine (WFR, WFA, WEMT, Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals, recertification), the American Canoe Association (Levels 3-5 Swiftwater Rescue plus Instructor), Leave No Trace (Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor), Health & Safety Institute (CPR/AED), the American Red Cross (Lifeguard), and the North Carolina Office of EMS (EMT Intensive and Refresher).
The technology stack underlying these courses is primarily built around off-the-shelf third-party platforms: the CANVAS LMS for online and hybrid course delivery, and the ACTIVE Network registration platform for enrollment, payment processing, and student management. Course delivery is split between on-campus residential delivery at the Sylva campuses and mobile delivery at partner host sites across multiple Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic universities, including Lees-McRae, Appalachian State, UVA, James Madison, Davidson, UGA, Vanderbilt, USF, Emory & Henry, and Western Carolina. A dedicated "Landmark Scholars" program bundles multiple certifications (WEMT/WFR, Leave No Trace Master Educator, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, Wilderness Lifeguard, and CPR) for career-track professionals, and the proprietary "Swiftwater Rescue – A Manual for Students and Instructors" authored by Executive Director Justin Padgett is sold direct.
The company's revenue model rests on four streams: (1) per-person course tuition ranging from $250 to $945 depending on length and certification type, with a $100 non-refundable deposit and balance due 30 days before course start; (2) optional on-campus lodging at $30-$225 per stay; (3) product sales of educational materials, apparel, and medical supplies via the Landmark Learning Shop; and (4) replacement certification card fees at $5 per card. Customer segments span outdoor recreation professionals, outdoor educators/instructors, recreational enthusiasts, EMS personnel, rising outdoor industry professionals (including college students and veterans), with 631 students trained annually. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via the ACTIVE self-serve registration platform, supplemented by university-hosted course delivery and a HipCamp ancillary rental of the Downstream Campus during off-peak periods. No venture capital or private equity has been disclosed; ownership remains with the founding family.
Landmark Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Landmark Learning
- Legal name
- Landmark Learning
- Website
- https://landmarklearning.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Landmark Learning is a private North Carolina–based outdoor professional training institution that delivers certified wilderness medicine, swiftwater rescue, Leave No Trace, lifeguard, and EMT courses via two on-campus facilities and hosted programs at partner universities across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States, serving outdoor workers, educators, and EMS personnel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Landmark Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Education and Certification Training
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Adult Skill-Building Expeditions & Courses (Leadership, Survival, Navigation) (THAAAOAC), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ), School Group & Curriculum-Led Trips (THAKAGAB)
Keywords
Where Landmark Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sylva
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Landmark Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Course Tuition: Primary revenue from course registration fees. Students pay tuition for wilderness medicine courses, swiftwater rescue courses, EMT training, and other outdoor certifications. Prices range from $250-$945 depending on course length and certification type.
- On-campus Lodging: Optional overnight accommodations including camping ($30-$135) and bunkhouse lodging ($50-$225) during multi-day courses.
- Product Sales: Sale of educational materials including Swiftwater Rescue manuals ($18), patient assessment notebooks ($10), apparel, and medical supplies.
- Certification Processing: Fees for certification cards and replacement cards ($5 per card) for completed courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NOLS Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (80+ hours) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NOLS Wilderness First Responder (80 hours) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NOLS Wilderness First Aid (16 hours) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NOLS WFR Recertification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NOLS Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ACA Swiftwater Rescue Level 4 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Community Relief Medic (16 hours) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hosted External Courses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Landmark Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Landmark Learning is a private outdoor education institute that delivers nationally certified training in wilderness medicine, swiftwater rescue, Leave No Trace, EMT, and lifeguarding to outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. Courses are taught by certified faculty at its two Smoky Mountain campuses in North Carolina and through hosted sessions at partner universities across the Eastern U.S. Revenue is generated primarily through per-person course tuition ($250-$945), with supplementary income from on-campus lodging, retail merchandise, and certification card processing.
Product overview
Landmark Learning is an outdoor education and training institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of certification courses for the outdoor community. The core offering consists of wilderness medicine courses (NOLS Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Aid, and recertification options), swiftwater rescue certifications (ACA Levels 3-5), Leave No Trace instructor training, American Red Cross lifeguard certification, and specialized programs like Community Relief Medic and the Landmark Scholars multi-certificate program. Courses are delivered at two campuses in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina or at partner host sites across the Eastern United States. The company also operates a retail shop selling course materials, apparel, and medical supplies. The NOLS Hybrid format courses combine online learning via CANVAS platform with in-person skills training, while traditional courses run as intensive on-campus programs with optional lodging.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NOLS Wilderness First Responder
Quantifiable outcome
- 631 students trained annually across multiple certification programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Landmark Learning
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Landmark Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Landmark Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- NOLS Wilderness MedicinecoreAuthorized provider of NOLS Wilderness Medicine curriculum including WFR, WFA, WEMT, WFR Recertification, and Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals courses. NOLS provides curriculum, certification, and instructor credentials.
- American Canoe Association (ACA)coreAuthorized provider of ACA swiftwater rescue courses at levels 3-5 plus instructor development and certification exams. ACA provides curriculum standards and certification credentials.
- Leave No TracecoreAuthorized provider of Leave No Trace Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor courses. Landmark Learning holds Gold Standard Program status from Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
- Health & Safety Institute (HSI)secondaryProvider of HSI CPR and AED certifications as add-on to wilderness medicine courses. HSI provides curriculum and certification for professional rescuers.
- North Carolina Office of EMS (NCOEMS)coreLicensed EMT training provider approved by NCOEMS for initial EMT certification and refresher courses. NCOEMS sets standards for NC state EMS certification.
- American Red CrosssecondaryProvider of American Red Cross Lifeguard certification courses meeting pool lifeguarding standards. ARC provides curriculum and certification credentials.
- ACTIVE NetworkcoreRegistration software platform used for course enrollment, payment processing, and student management. ACTIVE provides the infrastructure for online course registration.
- HipCampminorWhen not hosting courses, Landmark rents its Downstream Campus on HipCamp under the name Cane Creek Holler. HipCamp provides booking platform for outdoor accommodations.
- University of UtahsecondaryCollege credit provider for NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses taken through Landmark Learning. Students can earn university credits through University of Utah for course completion.
- Western Carolina UniversitysecondaryWCU students can use financial aid for qualifying Landmark courses that meet PRM program requirements. Partnership provides enrollment pathway for WCU outdoor recreation management students.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Landmark Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NOLS Wilderness Medicine: NOLS is the parent curriculum developer and largest wilderness medicine course operator globally, with its own locations and dozens of authorized providers including Landmark. It is both Landmark's licensor and a competitor for WFR/WEMT students nationwide.
- Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound is a long-established outdoor education nonprofit delivering expedition-based wilderness courses for students and professionals, overlapping with Landmark on outdoor leadership training and Leave No Trace delivery.
- REI Co-op Outdoor School: REI Outdoor School offers outdoor skills and wilderness first aid classes nationwide as part of a broader retail membership ecosystem. While not a WFR-certification rival, it competes for the entry-level outdoor enthusiast training dollar with longer-running brand reach than Landmark.
Others
- Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: The national stewardship organization whose curriculum Landmark is authorized to teach and whose Gold Standard status Landmark holds. Acts as credential-grantor and marketing partner rather than competitor.
- AORE (Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education): The professional membership body that accredited Landmark in 2014. AORE is not a competitor but an industry association that channels university outdoor program leads and provides credentialing reference for outdoor educator hiring.
Regional players
- Nantahala Outdoor Center: A nearby Southeast US outdoor resort and outfitter offering swiftwater rescue and ACA-level courses on the Nantahala River, geographically overlapping with Landmark's Smoky Mountains student catchment in North Carolina.
Direct peers
- American Alpine Institute: AAI runs Avalanche, AIARE, wilderness medicine, and mountain rescue courses for outdoor professionals from a dedicated training facility, mirroring Landmark's model of bundling multiple certifications around a specialty activity.
- Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA): WMA is a global wilderness medicine training organization offering WFR, WEMT, and WAFA certifications through authorized providers, in direct competition with NOLS-based programs like Landmark's for outdoor professionals and trip leaders.
- SOLO Wilderness Medicine: SOLO Schools is one of the most established wilderness medicine training providers, offering WFR, WEMT, and WFA certifications directly competitive with Landmark's NOLS-delivered courses. Both serve outdoor professionals with multi-day on-site and hybrid formats seeking national certification.
Emerging players
- Center for Wilderness Safety: A smaller Mid-Atlantic wilderness medicine training provider offering WFR and WFA courses; competes for the same student demographic as Landmark in the Eastern US, particularly through hybrid and host-site delivery.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Landmark Learning social profiles
Digital presenceLandmark Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Landmark Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Landmark Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Landmark Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Landmark Learning
What does Landmark Learning do?
Landmark Learning is a private outdoor education institute that delivers nationally certified training in wilderness medicine, swiftwater rescue, Leave No Trace, EMT, and lifeguarding to outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. Courses are taught by certified faculty at its two Smoky Mountain campuses in North Carolina and through hosted sessions at partner universities across the Eastern U.S. Revenue is generated primarily through per-person course tuition ($250-$945), with supplementary income from on-campus lodging, retail merchandise, and certification card processing.
Is Landmark Learning a public or private company?
Landmark Learning is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Landmark Learning founded?
Landmark Learning was founded in 1989. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Landmark Learning based?
Landmark Learning is headquartered in Sylva, United States, in the North America region.
How does Landmark Learning make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Course Tuition is the primary driver. The others are on-campus Lodging, product Sales and certification Processing.
Who are Landmark Learning's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NOLS Wilderness Medicine, Outward Bound USA and REI Co-op Outdoor School. Others are Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and AORE (Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education). Nantahala Outdoor Center is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are American Alpine Institute, Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) and SOLO Wilderness Medicine. Center for Wilderness Safety is listed as an emerging player.
Does Landmark Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Landmark Learning.
What industry is Landmark Learning in?
Landmark Learning's product category is Outdoor Education and Certification Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAA, Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning), with a secondary code of THAAAOAC, Adult Skill-Building Expeditions & Courses (Leadership, Survival, Navigation). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.