Proctor Academy and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) share a deep commitment to experiential learning, the power of the wilderness as a teaching tool, and the importance of stewarding the natural world. This Spring Break seven Proctor students and Proctor faculty member (and former NOLS instructor) Kayden Will traveled to the NOLS Mexico campus for a ten-day sea-kayaking adventure and an inaugural partnership expedition.
This Proctor x NOLS collaboration saw the group paddle 53.4 miles through the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. The expedition began at the NOLS base in Coyote Bay and ended on a beach near San Nicolas, and students met the various challenges of the course - strong headwinds, long mileage voyages, open water crossings, and early wake-ups (4:45 am each day!). The course taught by both Proctor faculty member Kayden Will in collaboration with NOLS instructors highlighted the natural world of the unique desert landscape of Baja, snorkeling, fishing, astronomy, and leadership curriculum central to every NOLS course.
Throughout those 53.4 miles, students observed birds, dolphins, fish, and leaping stingrays. They listened to whales and sea lions and found scorpions using a blacklight. They caught and ate a variety of fish, and enjoyed fish tacos prepared by one of the NOLS instructors on an open fire. They also engaged deeply with local individuals, like Mr. Chico Higuera (“Don Chico”), who lives with his family in San Nicolas, who shared stories from his experiences ranching, fishing, and growing up and working in the local area. When asked about the most rewarding part of the trip, our Proctor crew shared:
“Extended time in the field to disconnect and be fully present in the moment with this group in this place. Our instructors were a perfect fit for this group -- wise, silly, knowledgeable, committed, experienced, playful, and caring. Thank you, Ramon, Alejandro, and L-Dawg!”
“I think it taught me to be more present and not think about the future and just what's happening now, and that's the best reward I got out of it.”
“Being able to say I did something like this is a huge accomplishment for me.”
“I think the most rewarding thing was the self-reflection and learning more about yourself and everyone in the group.”
“Seeing the distance we had gone over the week.”
“The marshmallows during campfires and having our final meals.”
“The experience and memories I will have from it”
“Being able to connect with fellow students and my instructors. I also loved being unplugged and getting time to reflect on myself.”
Less than a year ago, NOLS President Sandy Colhoun, P’27 presented about the opportunities through NOLS to our students in assembly. With nearly a dozen NOLS alumni either on Proctor’s faculty or in our student body, the idea of Proctor and NOLS collaborating on an expedition quickly moved from hypothetical to a reality. It takes a special student (and faculty member!) to give up their spring break for an experience like this, and we are so grateful to this inaugural group for leading in this way!
Learn more about the National Outdoor Leadership School and their mission!
- Experiential Learning
- Off-Campus Program