What sets IWLS apart from other outdoor organizations?
The International Wilderness Leadership School has been training outdoor leaders and providing technical instruction for over 20 years. We operate instructional and guided programs throughout the world. They range from instructional rock climbing courses and guided ascents of the world’s tallest peaks to remote sea kayaking expeditions and leadership guide training courses. IWLS is at the forefront of the outdoor recreation industry and continues to raise industry standards.

How much experience do I need for an IWLS course?
No experience is necessary to sign up for many of our leadership and guide training courses. All that is generally required is good physical and emotional health and motivation for unique learning experiences. New participants have varying levels of experience. A strong desire to be an active participant and learn new technical and leadership skills are the most important factors for success on an IWLS course. More experienced students will have more time to focus on specific guiding considerations and teaching skills.

How do I prepare for my IWLS course?
You don’t need to be a superstar athlete for your IWLS course, however, a modest amount of physical fitness training will help you to prepare for active participation in the upcoming expedition. IWLS will recommend a variety of books and reading material that will support your course. Reading these materials will help you prepare for the technical skills and environmental considerations associated with this course.

Are IWLS courses available for college credit?
They can be, yes. Since 2008 IWLS has been accredited through the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). This accreditation ensures that our curriculum and programs are independently audited and are at the state of the art. This accreditation also helps facilitate our relationship with partner universities, including Western Colorado State. Inquire by phone or email for more details.

How do I secure a spot on a course or semester?
In order to secure a spot on a course or semester, all students must place a deposit. First contact our office by phone, email, or through Livechat to confirm availability. After you've reached out we can help you place a deposit over the phone, online, or by sending a check in the mail. Anyone on our office team would be happy to assist you in securing your spot today! For more information on securing your spot and registering, see our registration page: Click Here

How much does it cost to place a deposit?
For a single Domestic course- $250.00
For a single international course- $500.00
For a Domestic semester (2-4 courses)- $750.00
For an International Semester (2-4 courses)- $1,000
For a Year Program ( 5+ courses) - $1500.00

Full Payment is Due 90 days prior to the course start date

What does my tuition cover?
Transportation during the course, quality group equipment,cooking gear, food, and high quality instruction are all included in the tuition fee. Additional costs may include: transportation to and from the course location, personal equipment costs, travel insurance, and college credit fees.

What is your refund policy?
In the event that you are unable to join us, the following guidelines will apply. All deposits include a $150 non-refundable registration fee. Full refunds, less registration fee, will be provided 90 days prior to the start date. 50% refunds will be provided 60-89 days prior to start date. The 50% retained by IWLS can be credited towards another course if used within 12 months. No refunds will be provided with in 59 days of the start date. This policy has been established to meet the demands of planning well-organized courses and programs. If for any reason a course ends early there will be no refund. If you have not paid in full 90 days prior to your trips departure, and you have not contacted us regarding other payment options, we reserve the right to schedule another individual in your place. In this event, you are responsible for any associated costs.

Where does my course take place?
IWLS offers programs in North America and around the world. To find out where a particular course is operated please visit the course or semester page you're interested in for specific information.

How do I reach the meeting point for my course/semester?
For Alaska/ Yukon Programs starting in Haines: Click Here
For Alaska/ Yukon Programs starting in Skagway: Click Here
For Utah/Nevada Programs starting in Salt Lake Cityk: Click Here
For Argentina Programs starting in Mendoza: Click Here
For Nepal Programs starting in Kathmandu: Click Here
For Ecuador Programs starting in Quito: Click Here
Contact us if you have any questions.

Do I need travel insurance?
For International courses you are required to obtain travel insurance.
For Domestic courses you are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance. Travel insurance can protect against things like lost baggage, missed/delayed flights, and most importantly -- emergency expenses associated with an evacuation/rescue.

For more information on getting insurance and why its recommended: Click Here

Who should I purchase travel insurance through?
We recommend AIG Travel Guard. To learn more: Click Here

What equipment do I need?
For the most part students are expected to pack personal clothing and gear while IWLS will provide certain items or may have items such as a sleeping bag available to rent. Each Course has its own equipment list which outlines items we expect participants to bring, items available to rent if you prefer not to purchase, and technical gear that will be provided. All courses include group camping gear such as tents, stoves, and pots/pans. For more details be sure to review the equipment list(s) associated with the course or semester you are interested in.

Does IWLS rent equipment, if so how do I secure rental items for my course?
IWLS offers equipment rentals for all our domestic programs. To view our rental agreement for domestic courses: Click Here

For international programs we work with local outfitters to help students rent gear in country. Inquire by phone or email for more information.

What kind of food can I expect?
Balanced, nutritious meals are of critical importance for a successful expedition. Rather than off-the-shelf freeze dried backpacking food we strive to utilize whole foods and meals from scratch whenever possible. A core part of IWLS curriculum is meal planning and preparation. You will gain experience using camp stoves and cooking delightful meals in the backountry. Typical menu items can include curries, pastas , soups, oats with nuts and dried fruit, breakfast scrambles, and more. The exact menu will vary depending on the type of activity and location.

Can IWLS accommodate dietary restrictions?
IWLS can accommodate some dietary restrictions. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and some allergies are restrictions that we commonly work with. Due to the difficulties of menu planning in remote areas some dietary preferences may be difficult to accommodate. Please let us know if you have a dietary restriction not mentioned above, we're happy to help review our menu in detail and review options to accommodate your dietary considerations.

How is safety addressed in IWLS curriculum?
Risk management and decision-making are amongst the most important skills of a wilderness trip leader. Safety is always #1. We draw on many years of guiding experience all over the world, with an impeccable safety record, to instruct students as to the key elements of risk management. We emphasize outlining risks by objective and subjective hazards, understanding activity and location specific dangers, and by conforming to and teaching Industry recognized best practices. We draw our curriculum not only from experience buy partly from organizations like the ACA, AAIRE, and AEE to ensure that we are teaching the state-of-the-art safety and risk management techniques.

Does IWLS cover leadership theory?
Our courses do cover the tenants of leadership theory. IWLS leadership theory curriculum is integral part of every course we offer. Our leadership education model is effective for training safe, positive, and engaged outdoor leaders. We emphasize a variety of leadership styles, and communications techniques. As students gain skill and responsibility, they can discover their personal strengths as a leader. The IWLS curriculum gives students the tools to succeed as leaders in all aspects of life, from the backcountry to the boardroom.
How does IWLS deliver leadership experience in its courses?
Gaining practical leadership experience is a key part of the IWLS experience. One of the primary methods we use in delivering this is through Leader of the Day. Participants rotate as Leader of the Day, taking on much of the responsibility of the guide. You might find yourself waking early to cook breakfast, planning the days route, managing the days activities, or using newfound skills to make a key decision. Leader of the Day experiences present opportunities to practice using your leadership voice and technique in real world situations, with the watchful eye of the instructor keeping things safe.

Will I gain teaching experience?
See One, Do One, Teach One is one of IWLS fundamental axioms. We believe that the ultimate stage of mastery is the ability to teach a skill that has been learned. Therefore, each student will have several opportunities to teach lessons to the group. We will prepare the participants with lectures on lesson planning and how to engage with differing learning styles. The students will then select several lesson topics of their choosing and deliver their class to their fellow participants.

Is there any overlap in IWLS course content in my semester program?
Each activity and location that IWLS has a course for has its own specific curriculum. This course specific content dovetails with general IWLS lessons that are common to all locations and activities. Some courses, such as Mountaineering and Ski/ Snowboard Mountaineering also have some shared technical content. Generally, the shared curriculum is of critical safety importance like crevasse rescue or knots. Semester students often report that this shared curriculum was a boost to their comprehension as they were able to draw a deeper understanding from more exposure to the key material.