The Ethos of Northwestern Outdoor Leadership Institute
“I want a school where the students do not lose freedoms because of actions of a few; the actions of those that don’t want to learn or work for a common good. I want a school where teachers trust the students to do the right thing even when no one is looking. Isn’t that the best indicator of a noble society where everyone has the habits of good ethics? If we do not expect that of the students in our schools, how can we expect that in our nation?” Isn’t that the best indicator of a noble society? Where everyone has the habits of good ethics? Therefore, we expect the students in our school to have the ethos of what I want our nation’s leaders to embrace?” – Brian D. King
Our Mission
We believe, for a brighter future, we must develop those that will lead others that have the habits to be healthy physically fit happy successful emotionally intelligent empathetic ethical people with grit, which are well educated, skilled in creative, critical, and divergent thinking, capable of adaptability and collaboration, and are good stewards of the earth.
We Are Exclusive
To assure the highest quality of education and experiences for our students we only include those students into our student body that embody the following core tenets.
The Ethos of Being a Student at Northwestern Outdoor Leadership Institute is:
- I truly want to push myself to meet high standards of educational and personal growth
- I understand that to meet these goals, I will be a member of a team. Therefore, I also understand that the other students, as well as the staff and mentors, will be assisting me on my journey and that I have a responsibility to assist the others on their journey as well
- I understand that no matter how hard the other members on my educational team work for me I will only get out of this experience what I put in to it
- I understand that the desire to learn and develop skills and talents is not enough; it takes a growth mindset, dedication, hard work, grit, and the habits and lifestyle of success.
- I understand that to meet my educational and personal goals, I must set these goals and develop strategies with my mentors help
- I agree to follow through with the instructions given by my mentor, the assignments given by myself and my mentor
- I also agree that I will be present, on time, and prepared every day
- I agree to be honest
- I agree to be fair
- I agree to foster goodwill
- I agree to be a good steward of the land
- Above all I truly want to be a part of Northwestern Outdoor Leadership Institute
Aldo Leopold said, “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching- even when doing the wrong thing is legal.” We expect all participents to practice ethical behavior at all times.
NOLI is Not for All Youth
NOLI is not a school, camp or program for every student. If the participant cannot honestly say yes to each and every statement in the section above, we simply are not the right program for them.
We truly understand that every one learns differently and has different strengths, weaknesses, and interests. We will work with students and their families to feed their interests, build their strengths, and shore up their weaknesses. Additionally we are not a school for students that have needs which we believe prevent them from meeting their educational goals at our institution, for those with behavioral or ethical issues, for those that do not want to work to learn for themselves or for the needs of their team, or for those that believe that they can’t learn.
Cancellation Policy
A refund minus a $25 processing fee will be given on cancellations requested at least four weeks prior to the starting date of the session being canceled. 50% refunds will be given on cancellations requested at least 2 weeks prior to the starting date of the session being canceled. If you wish to cancel a session less than 2 weeks prior to its starting date, no refund will be given.
If you are asked to pick up your child before the end of the session because of behavior or safety issues there will be no refund for any part of the sessions enrolled. Any behavior that negatively impacts the other participants, Bullying of participants, cruelty to any animals, if any behavior is deemed unsafe to him or herself or to others, if a students behavior is impacting the positive experience of other participants, or failure to follow rules or instructions will terminate the student’s session. In such cases, the parent is responsible for immediately picking up the child and no refund will be given.
If for any reason we cancel a session make up dates will be offered or registrations will be put towards other programs.