An outdoor industry organization has earned a member of the year award from the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), according to a news release.

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), which is based in Wilmington, joined 23 other organizations — including Deer Hill Expeditions (2019), Thompson Island Outward Bound (2016), Prescott College (2012), and Project Adventure (1997) — in being recognized by AEE since its founding nearly 50 years ago.

Since running its first courses in Pisgah National Forest, NCOAE has now offered outdoor education and wilderness medical training in Alaska, North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest, Ecuador, and Patagonia, as well as custom outdoor education courses across the globe.

Sherry Bagley, AEE’s executive director, stated in the release, “NCOAE has built and sustained a phenomenal experiential educational program. As AEE’s Organizational Member of the Year, NCOAE is recognized as a leader in maintaining innovative programming at continuously high standards, demonstrating commitment to and support for the work of AEE, and has exemplified high ethical standards in its operations and programming.” 

NCOAE founders Zac and Celine Adair graduated from Prescott College’s graduate program, which features coursework in adventure programming and outdoor education.

In the release, Zac Adair, NCOAE’s executive director, stated, “We were founded on the belief that operating in a vacuum was not only bad for us but bad for our industry. Joining AEE, seeking and maintaining their standards of accreditation, and participating in their world-class networking and professional development is directly tied to our success. We are both humbled and honored by this award and will continue to champion the power of experiential education while advocating for best practices in the industry.” 

NCOAE and other award winners were recognized this month at AEE’s 51st Annual International Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.