Master Educator Course Providers

Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)

ADK is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for New York State’s wild lands and waters while also teaching people how to enjoy natural places responsibly. Since 1922, the organization has offered people opportunities to stay and play in as well as protect, discover, and explore the outdoors. Today, ADK has 30,000 members in 27 chapters statewide and is served by a professional, year-round staff. The organization is recognized as a vital voice in the commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical outdoor recreation in New York State.

American Alpine Institute (AAI)

The American Alpine Institute’s mission is “to provide world-class mountain education, exceptional guided experiences and to inspire natural preservation.” The Institute provides education, skills development and guiding in, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, avalanche awareness, technical rescue, backpacking, wilderness skills and Leave No Trace. With operations in eight different states, the Institute is widely regarded as a leader in the development and distribution of comprehensive technical mountain education, both for recreationalists, as well as for backcountry professionals.

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)

Founded in Boston in 1876 the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, AMC has a mission to promote the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. We believe that these natural resources have intrinsic worth and also provide recreational opportunities, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the region. Because successful conservation depends on active engagement with the outdoors, we encourage people to experience, learn about, appreciate and understand the natural world.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is the private, non-profit organization responsible for management and protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) and its resources. Founded in 1925 (as the Appalachian Trail Conference), the organization works closely with the National Park Service and 31 affiliated volunteer trail clubs, with the mission of preserving and managing the A.T. to ensure that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow and for centuries to come. The ATC operates across the 14 Trail states, from Maine to Georgia, preserving the delicate majesty of the Trail as a haven for all to enjoy.

Backcountry Horsemen of California

Objectives and Purpose: To improve and promote the use, care and development of trails, campsites, streams and meadows. To advocate good trail manners and educate users on good Ethics and Leave No Trace principles. To promote the conservation and utilization of our back country resources with livestock transportation. To keep the back country trails open to horseman on all public lands. To assist in keeping public informed of the vital need for a clean back country. To support the interest of horseman and those persons interested in recreational stock us and enjoying the back country.

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America (the BSA) is one of the largest Scouting organizations in the world and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with more than 2.4 million youth participants and nearly one million adult volunteers. The BSA’s goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to instill typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.

Landmark Learning

Landmark Learning is a school for persons who work and play in the outdoors. We operate year-round from from a 40 acre campus in the mountains of western North Carolina, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since 1996, Landmark Learning has focused on certification trainings that promote national standards and industry best practices. Landmark Learning has been active in Leave No Trace education since 1999. We believe that outdoors ethics are a cornerstone in all that we teach.

NOLS

Founded in 1965, NOLS is a multifaceted wilderness school that supports thousands of students each year all over the world. NOLS is the original provider of Leave No Trace Master Educator courses and currently offers both front and backcountry options that include backpacking and sea kayaking. NOLS offers 2 hours of college credit and the ability to use AmeriCorps awards. Custom courses are available worldwide. Partial scholarships are available through both the Center and NOLS.

Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI)

Getting safely up and down mountains is just the beginning of the story at Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI). RMI has built a five-decade long legacy of safe, successful, and enjoyable mountaineering adventures. At RMI we strive to make every adventure a meaningful and enjoyable experience, attain our climbing objective while maintaining a responsible margin of safety, and to climb responsibly and to protect and preserve all natural and cultural resources in the places we travel. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work and play within the fragile alpine environment. With this opportunity comes the responsibility of being a good steward of the resource and to pass along our knowledge so that others may continue to enjoy the outdoors as we do.

Solid Rock Outdoor Ministeries (SROM)

SROM is a premier Christ-centered deep wilderness ministry. SROM’s mission, in the context of technical deep wilderness expeditions, is to birth and grow mature Christ followers; sons and daughters of light who become loving and loyal disciples who make disciples of all nations.Our programming activities include backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and back country living. SROM programming occurs in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and desert southwest with courses in locations such as the Wind River Wilderness and Grand Canyon National Park. SROM is accredited by the Association for Experiential Education and an official course provider for the Leave No Trace Master Educator Course.

Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center

Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center has been providing outdoor education and recreation therapy since 1952. Designated by the National Park Service as a National Environmental Education Landmark in 1972, the Center provides educational opportunities, camps, and trainings on a year-round basis. Just south of Carbondale, IL our 3100-acre retreat center provides great access to the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. We provide front and backcountry Master Educator course options that include backpacking and flatwater canoeing. Custom courses are available.