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About NOLI

Your Adventure Awaits

THE NOLI STORY

NOLI was founded in 2018 by Scott Fisher and a group of friends, all outdoor enthusiasts and educators, as a way to bring outdoor education to Northeast Tennessee and the Appalachian Highlands Region. Our founding mission was to celebrate the outdoors and help others do the same - a mission that continues to this day. Since its beginning, our team has been committed to providing positive, empowering and impactful outdoor training and events that are accessible to everyone regardless of background, experience or financial circumstances. And, during that time, we have seen our reach grow not only within the region but more broadly as well, with our students and guests coming from greater and greater distances to make NOLI and the Appalachian Highlands the center of their travels. NOLI has continued to evolve and expand every year, adding new classes and events, but at the core we remain what we have been all along - a group of dedicated outdoor professionals fully invested in helping people learn new skills and enjoy the outdoors.

NOLI instructor meeting 2018

Always committed to providing the very best educational experiences for our students and guests, our team comes together each year to discuss goals, priorities and best practices in preparation for the coming season.

NOLI instructors participating in annual Wilderness First Aid Training

The safety of our students and guests is paramount which is why our instructors recertify annually in wilderness first aid, CPR, risk management and, for water-based instructors, swiftwater rescue.

Our NOLI Team

From left to right: Rob Schoborg, Brad Eldridge, Viki Austin, Deb Briscoe, Dr. James Luna, Ryan Shealy, Scott Fisher. Not pictured: Robin Pope, Minta Ray, Bill Schooley and Jerry Smith.

NOLI Mission

Our Mission is to celebrate the outdoors and help others do the same. Whether kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, developing outdoor survival skills, learning wilderness medicine, practicing Leave No Trace, learning map and compass skills, or a multitude of other activities, there are a limitless number of ways to enjoy and celebrate the outdoors and we are passionate to help folks do just that.

 

We believe that access to the outdoors, including education, should not be limited by financial circumstances. As such we are committed to providing instruction to all people regardless of ability to pay. If you and your family or group are interested in participating in any of our classes and would like to discuss scholarship options please contact us for more information.

Our people

NOLI is only as good as its people and our outstanding team of instructors and staff is among the best in outdoor education. These exceptional individuals are not only experts in their respective fields, they truly care about you and are fully invested in making sure you get the most out of your experience, something we hear reflected again and again in feedback from students and guests. All NOLI instructors carry professional certifications in their fields where available and are certified in CPR and wilderness first aid.

OUR LOCATION

We are located along the beautiful Nolichucky River in the Appalachian Highlands Region of Northeast Tennessee and are co-located with USA Raft Adventure Resort. The surrounding mountains and rivers of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests, with the world-famous Appalachian Trail running immediately adjacent to our outpost, create a stunning backdrop to learn and immerse yourself in the outdoors, whether for a single-day class or a multi-day extended adventure. A variety of riverfront lodging and camping options are available onsite, as are food and beverage, making for a complete destination experience.

Northeast Tennessee

Thinking about exploring Northeast Tennessee? There’s plenty to see and do here. Take a hike on the Appalachian Trail, camp in a state park, visit a historic landmark, chow down on delicious eats, sample some craft brews, and listen to sounds from the roots of country music. Located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, discover a region that's rich in history, music, culture and outdoor adventure. Take on winding mountain roads and outdoor treks, delicious southern cuisine and handcrafted beverages — all paired with a deep history that began before the United States even became a country. Start planning your trip and find out why there’s more in Northeast Tennessee. For more information on all the great things this spectacular region has to offer visit NortheastTennessee.org.

The Nolichucky River

The Nolichucky River is a beautiful 115-mile waterway that begins at the confluence of the Toe and Cane Rivers, flowing through Western North Carolina and East Tennessee before its eventual confluence with the French Broad River. Traversing the Pisgah National Forest and the Cherokee National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the river's watershed is home to some of the highest mountains in the Appalachians, including Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States. The stunning and remote Gorge section of the river between Poplar, NC and Erwin, TN is home to many wildlife species and is currently seeking designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The Nolichucky is a river that offers something for everyone and, in return, deserves our gratitude, respect and protection. We are happy to call it home!

Giving Back

NOLI is committed to being both a good community partner and a steward of the places we live, work and play. Towards that end, we give back in numerous ways each year through direct donations, free or reduced-cost classes, fund-raisers and organized events such as clean-ups. We routinely support regional and national conservation-oriented organizations such as the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy who do such good work to protect our natural places. We often go into public schools by request to teach outdoor skills such as survival, outdoor safety and Leave No Trace, all of which we do at no cost. We do fund raisers each year for veterans groups, animal shelters and other advocacy groups that support those in need. We lead free Leave No Trace classes, often accompanied by a river or trail clean-up, as a community service in an effort to educate and prepare current and future generations of environmental champions. And we offer scholarships and work exchange for those who want to take classes with us but are not in a financial position to do so. We commit our time and a portion of our annual profits to these causes because we believe it is the right thing to do and consistent with our values.

REVIEWS

  • Enjoyed and learned a lot!! Thanks Jerry!! Absolutely no nonsense straightforward valuable information! NOLI is the best!

    Glenda S.

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  • I had a great day with Viki! She was able to pinpoint several places where I can make improvements and was very encouraging and fun to work with!!

    Jenni H.

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  • Had a great time and learned tons! Fun and relaxed atmosphere with perfect class size :)

    Monica M.

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