The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) was founded in 1965 by Paul Petzoldt to train outdoor leaders. It was established based on the models of Outward Bound, which began in the 1940s and trained individuals in outdoor skills. NOLS sought to provide rigorous outdoor experiences for students and train instructors. Paul Petzoldt led the first NOLS trips in 1965 with 100 students split into patrols in the Wind River Range. Today, NOLS' mission is to be a leading provider of wilderness skills and leadership training that benefits people and the environment.