Adventures and moments
In the Outdoor Life and Photography program, we combine trips to the mountains, the coast, and the forest with creative expression behind the camera. Here, you’ll get a year filled with nature experiences, achievement, community and photos you’ll be proud of.
Five years after my year at Agder folkehøgskole, I still thank myself for the choice I made. With nature as our classroom and an incredibly skilled teacher, outdoor adventures shared with friends who became family inspired me and prepared me for even more outdoor life. Apply now!
Silje Fugleberg 18/19
The Outdoor Life and Photography program at Agder is the best choice I’ve ever made! A year filled with experiences, dedicated teachers and staff, lots of laughter and joy, a strong sense of community at the school – and, not least, friends for life. I’m going to miss everyone, and the view.
Sølve Nedrebø 22/23
Outdoor Life has given me incredible experiences and valuable lessons. I’ve learned a lot about myself and taken part in amazing trips. If you’re someone looking for great experiences and fun activities, I would absolutely recommend this school.
Hågen Mevassvik Løvold 22/23
Folk high school should be mandatory! A year filled with joy, unforgettable experiences, personal growth, motivation, and a deep passion for what you do! I made friends for life — not only among my fellow students, but also with an amazing teacher!
Maren Louise Ruim 18/19
I am from the US and i still got by just fine with only being half-fluent i Swedish. I learned a ton of Norwegian even my class had mostly Norwegians in it. I forreal had like a zillion of the most uniqe and memorable experiences in this class!
Sophie Signor, former student
The year in Outdoor Life and Photography has given me so much. The countless trips, the varied everyday life at school, and the strong sense of community among the students have been amazing to experience. It’s perfectly fine even if you don’t have any prior experience with photography or outdoor life.
Julie Kihl 22/23, former student
As cliché as it may sound, a year at folk high school gives you an invaluable collection of memories. The year in the Outdoor Life program made me even more passionate about nature, and it has shaped and strengthened me in my future career path. With dedicated teachers, my heart now beats especially for Agder.
Tobias Mandt
As cliché as it may sound, a year at folk high school gives you an invaluable collection of memories. The year in the Outdoor Life program made me even more passionate about nature, and it has shaped and strengthened me in my future career path. With dedicated teachers, my heart now beats especially for Agder.
Tobias Schildmann Mandt, former student
Out on adventures – all year round
We spend time in nature all year round, and you’ll take part in everything from mountain hikes and canoeing to campfire coffee, sleeping in a hammock, and skiing in the winter mountains. You don’t need to have prior experience with outdoor life – the most important thing is that you want to be outside and try new things.
You will gain experience in:
- Trip planning and packing lists
- Maps, compass, and basic navigation
- Campfires, outdoor cooking, and camp life
- Safe travel in nature in the summer and the winter
- Tent trips, hammock trips, and sleeping under the open sky
- Artskunnskap og forvaltning
We start gently and build up along the way – with a focus on mastery and well-being.
This program is suitable for everyone!
- are you completely new? No problem, we’ll teach you the basics.
- have experience? Here, you can develop and build further on what you already know.
- Do you enjoy taking photos and being outdoors? Then this might be the program for you!
The Outdoor Life program has given me incredible experiences and lessons. I’ve learned a lot about myself and taken part in amazing trips. If you’re someone looking for great experiences and fun activities, I would absolutely recommend this school.
Hågen Mevassvik Løvold , former student
Learn to take photos that truly matter
You don’t need expensive equipment or a photography background. Here, you’ll learn to use your camera (or phone!) to tell stories and capture moods. Throughout the year, you’ll work with different genres and techniques, both outdoors and indoors, alone and in collaboration with others.
You will learn, among other things:
- Basic camera techniques and photo composition
- Landscape photography and action photography on trips
- Portraits, environmental photography, and travel documentation
- Editing in Adobe Lightroom
- How to use photos to convey emotions and experiences
We actively use both trips and the local area in our teaching, and you’ll receive guidance every step of the way.
A year full of experiences
Outdoor Life & Photography is just as much about being together as it is about learning. You’ll become part of an inclusive community where we support each other, share outdoor adventures, and create memories for life. During the year, we also go on several study trips – both in Norway and abroad
Why choose the Outdoor Life and Photography program?
- You’ll experience nature all year round – both calm moments and action-packed adventures
- You’ll learn to take better photos – and use them creatively
- You’ll become more confident, both in yourself and in your experiences in nature
- You’ll make friends for life in a social and supportive environment
- You don’t need any prior knowledge – just curiosity and a willingness to participate
Whether you want to become more confident on trips, develop your creativity, or simply experience a different kind of year, this is the program for you who want to be outdoors, be creative, and be yourself.
Stydy strip Thailand-Vietnam
On this trip, we gain a unique insight into nature-based tourism in Thailand and Vietnam. With guidance from local travel leaders, we get to know the two countries better as we visit well-known destinations such as Chiang Mai in Thailand, and the areas around Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Anh along the coast in Vietnam.
- Food culture and temple visits
- Jungle treks and overnight stays in the mountains
- Elephants and mountain tribes
- Snorkeling and white sandy beaches
- Amazing photos from the trip
Study trip to Iceland
In Iceland, we will ride Icelandic horses and photograph powerful waterfalls, caves, dramatic cliff landscapes, and geysers. We will visit Reykjavík and, of course, the Golden Circle. You will use everything you have learned about photography to create stunning landscape images and lasting memories from the trip.
- Reykjavik
- Bathing in hot springs
- Horse riding
- Waterfalls, caves, and cliff landscapes
- Landscape photography
Study trip to Denmark
In Denmark, we try to capture the special light in the area around Skagen. We visit places such as Råbjerg Mile, the Sand-Covered Church, and Grenen. At the Eagle Reserve near Tversted, we photograph, among other things, eagles, vultures, falcons, and condors.
- We photograph eagles and other prey birds
- Grenen, where the ocean Skagerak and Kattegat meet
- Råbjerg Mile, smallest dessert in Europe
Study trip to Hovden
We use the school’s cabin as a base for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, a snow-cave trip, and a visit to Hovden Water Park. Hovden offers, among other things, excellent cross-country trails and a large alpine ski resort. Cross-country skis, alpine skis, and snowboards can be rented at a reasonable price in Hovden, or we can borrow them from BUA in Kristiansand if you don’t have your own equipment from home.
In the evenings, we relax with taco, pizza, and board games while recharging for the next day.
- Cross-country skiing and alpine skiing
- overnight in selfe made snow cave
- Hovden Waterpark
This won’t be a gap year, but a year of specialization
where you’ll get to know yourself better — who you are —
and you’ll get to do it together with others who love
taking photos and being outdoors!
Join the adventure too!
Program teacher Morten Ohme
Hi!
If you accept a place, I’ll be the teacher and mentor you meet. My name is Morten, and I have a background as a teacher with education in culture, nature guiding, outdoor life, and photography.
FAQ
The trip to Asia lasts about 3 weeks and visits three countries.
Trips to the mountains, the coast, and southwestern Norway usually last between 3 and 6 days each.
Hepatitis A & B, typhoid fever, and rabies.
Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, waterproof hiking boots, shell clothing, and wool base layers
The school has some sleeping pads, camping stoves, lavvus, tents, campfire pots, fishing rods, and camera tripods available for use.
There are usually between 12 and 16 students in each program at the school.
You don’t need any prior knowledge; the most important thing is that you want to try new things. If you already have some photography experience, you’ll receive guidance tailored to your level.
You need to be in generally good health to participate in all activities and trips abroad. If you’re unsure, contact the program teacher or the school by email or phone.
