Portland courses are taught either at Hillsdale Community Church in SW Portland (6948 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, Oregon 97219), or at Bird Alliance of Portland (5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210)

Mt Hood Parkdale courses are taught at the historic Mt Hood Town Hall (6575 OR-35, Mt Hood, OR 97041). Mt Hood is about 14 miles South of Hood River , about 75 miles East of Portland, and 3 miles from Parkdale in the beautiful Upper Hood River Valley. There’s skiing, hiking, mountain biking, wind surfing, boating, camping, and more to do before or after your course.

Students are responsible for their own transportation.

Hillsdale Community Church in Portland is accessible by Trimet bus 44. There is parking for cars and bikes there as well. Portland International Airport (PDX) is the closest airport if you are coming from out of town.

Bird Alliance of Portland is a 10 minute drive from downtown Portland. Unfortunately there isn’t great bus service to the classroom.

For Mt Hood Parkdale courses you will need a vehicle. There is parking at the classroom.

You’ll be responsible for your own lodging. You may not stay in the parking lot of the venue.

For Portland courses there are many hotels, rentals, and hostels to choose from.

For Mt Hood Courses there are also lots of great camping and lodging options nearby. Some are closed for winter so please check.

Hotels and Airbnbs are available in Hood River (14 miles north). You can also sometimes find Airbnbs even closer in Odell and Parkdale.

Cooper Spur Resort (12 miles from class) also offers lodging up on the mountain nearby.

Old Parkdale Inn is a local Bnb just 3 miles from class.

Toll Bridge Park (1.5 miles from class) offers tent and RV sites on the East Fork Hood River. Open May 1 - October 31.

Nottingham Campsite (13 miles from class) is a peaceful Forest Service campsite also on the East Fork. Mid-May - mid-September.

Sherwood (11 miles from class) a campsite also on the river, and also lovely. Open mid-May - mid-September.

Kinnikinnik (Lawrence Lake) - (10 miles from class) Great campsite with a nice swimming lake. There have been some issues with the road so check ahead. Open mid-May to early October.

Little John Sno Park - (13 miles from class) is available for year round self contained camping.

There is also free camping to be found on forest service roads nearby.

The minimum age to take courses is 16 years old.

Please read the NOLS Essential Eligibility Criteria for taking Wilderness Medicine Courses.

There is no prior training or experience required to take a WFR or WFA course. Student experience ranges from this being their first medical course to EMTs, nurses, and physicians looking to gain more pre-hospital skills.

Classes are not taught in the wilderness. About half the course will be taught indoors and half will be hands on practice scenarios just outside the classroom.

Wear clothing that can get wet and dirty, be prepared to lay or kneel on the ground in all conditions

Rain gear

Writing utensil

Sunscreen

Headlamp

A watch or time piece with a second hand

Small Daypack

Lunch and snacks

Water bottle

Sunglasses

Optional: Camp chair, Knee pads, Kneeling pad, Clipboard or hard surface to write on, Slippers or comfortable shoes for indoor time.

Please read the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Communicable Disease Mitigation Practices and Expectations for Students document to learn more.

Yes.

Learn more about earning college credits for your WFR course HERE.

EMTs can earn CAPCE CEUs for WFR and WFR Recert courses.

Fellows in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine can earn FAWM credit hours through the Wilderness Medical Society by taking the WFR course.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses meet the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements.

Learn more about earning CEU and FAWM credits HERE

Yes. Learn more HERE.

The following scholarships are available:

The Moving Hands Scholarship is for people who are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English and interested in taking a NOLS Wilderness Medicine course. When formally awarded, Moving Hands covers the entire course tuition. This scholarship will not cover lodging, meals, or travel. The Moving Hands scholarships only can be awarded up to two times per individual.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Grant Application for Organizations: Apply for a grant to host a full Wilderness First Aid course for your organization

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the recognized industry standard for those who work as backcountry trip leaders, camp counselors, mountain guides, river guides, and ski patrollers.

Our courses meet or exceed the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC) criteria for WFR and WFA certification.

This course is recognized by the American Camp Association to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications.

The course meets the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements.

Additionally, the Wilderness First Aid course (WILDMI-554), and when included the CPR/AED course (WILDMI-134), are approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.

For Hybrid WFRs:

The course will begin with three modules of online training and conclude with 5 days of in-person training. The self paced online component will open 3 weeks before the in-person section. You should plan to spend 10 to 15 hours on the platform for each module. The online section will be monitored by an instructor to provide curricular and technical support. There is also a discussion forum that students and instructors can use to ask and answer questions.

For Hybrid WFR Recerts:

You should plan to spend 4-6 hours to complete the required online component before the in-person training portion of your course begins.