About NSNL
About the Norwegian School of Nature Life
Norwegian School of Nature Life (NSNL) is a continuation of the Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center (NOEC), which served the Park City area from 1980-2013. The goal of the school is to assist students of all ages to better understand themselves, others and all of Nature through immersive outdoor educational experiences, in the spirit of Frilfuftsliv.
Our Mission
At the Norwegian School of Nature Life, our mission is to provide unique and alternative approaches to teaching, learning, and experiencing outdoor education. We believe that the natural world is one of the most exceptional classrooms, and we are dedicated to offering meaningful educational experiences for individuals of all ages, right in the heart of Utah's captivating landscapes.
Preserving Traditions: Norwegian Friluftsliv
Our organization is founded on the principles of Norwegian Friluftsliv, which translates to the "free air life" or "simple life in Nature." We aim to foster, develop, and encourage an interest in this traditional way of living and being in harmony with Nature. By doing so, we connect our participants with the timeless wisdom of living in balance with the environment.
Comprehensive Outdoor Skills
We provide expert instruction and guidance in various outdoor skills, including emergency preparedness and protocol, navigation, expedition planning, leadership, and leave-no-trace wilderness ethics. Our curriculum also extends to technical skills relevant to outdoor activities such as canyoneering, climbing, and multi-day expeditions.
Advocates for Nature
As a community voice for the protection of wild places, we are dedicated to promoting responsible and safe use of our precious public lands. Ensuring the preservation and sustainable management of these landscapes is a fundamental part of our commitment to the environment.
Ecosystem Education
Our educational approach goes beyond the surface. We offer opportunities for learning and understanding the diverse ecosystems of Utah from a biological, ecological, geological, and environmental perspective. This comprehensive understanding empowers our students to appreciate the interconnectedness of our natural world.
Join Us in This Journey
The Norwegian School of Nature Life invites you to embark on a unique educational journey that bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and the profound wisdom of Nature. Discover the outdoors in a way you've never experienced before, and become an advocate for the responsible use and protection of our invaluable natural resources.
Whether you're an individual seeking outdoor adventures, an educator looking to expand your teaching methods, or a group passionate about wilderness preservation, we have a place for you. We look forward to sharing the beauty of Utah's landscapes and the invaluable lessons they hold. Come, explore, learn, and thrive with us at the Norwegian School of Nature Life.
History
History
Tom Cammermayer born in Oslo, Norway, moved to America in 1974. In 1980 he founded the Norwegian Outdoor Education Center in Park City. For over 3 decades, Tom lead all kinds of students young and old on Outdoor Educational trips into the Uinta Mountains. He taught thousands of students over the years in addition to leading multi-day wilderness excursions and training mentors to carry on the tradition.
Elliot Goldman has spent much of his life exploring the outdoors and pursuing a career in Outdoor Education. Elliot has 6 years of experience teaching music lessons and 3 years teaching outdoor education at several schools in Park City including Another Way School and Telos Classical Academy. He met Tom while teaching guitar in 2013 and became fascinated with the concept of Friluftsliv as a way to balance out what can often be a competitive and statistics-obsessed outdoor recreation culture.
The Norwegian School of Nature Life was founded in 2023 by Tom Cammermeyer and Elliot Goldman to carry on the tradition of outdoor education in the spirit of Friluftsliv.