The Gold Standard for Outdoor Guiding/Recreation
Our Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course, in partnership with SOLO Wilderness Medicine, provides the essential training needed to manage medical emergencies in remote settings. This 72+ hour hands-on, intensive course is perfect for outdoor professionals, guides, and avid adventurers seeking to deepen their emergency response skills. Through real-world scenarios, you’ll learn to assess, treat, and manage injuries and illnesses when help is far away. Earn your WFR certification and be fully prepared for the challenges of wilderness exploration.
Tuition
$850 tuition fee
SOLO CPR is included (follows AHA guidelines)
Course Length
72+ hours
+
2 hour
CPR/AED course
(Included, but optional)
Certificate
Yes, WFR certificate valid for 3 years
CPR/AED certificate valid for 2 years
CPR/AED Course Information
CPR/AED Course: CPR/AED course will typically occur at the end of the first day of class, lasting about 2 hours. WFR certification is not valid without an active CPR/AED certificate.
Requirements/Recommendations
- Students must be at least 16 years of age to take this course.
- Recommended for: Backcountry Trip Leaders, Camp Counselors, River Guides, Ski Patrollers, students in Outdoor Recreation Programs
WFR Course Details
SOLO courses are highly interactive and focus on hands-on learning, with numerous outdoor scenarios and skills labs. This allows participants to practice and refine their skills in real-life conditions. Please be prepared to spend time outside, regardless of weather conditions—rain, snow, or shine.
CPR and AED training is included in the WFR course. The certification is through SOLO and follows the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
Class Typically begins at 8:00am, and participants should expect to spend 8-10 hours per day in the course, with breaks for meals. The course includes a mix of hands-on activities and classroom-based learning, with both indoor and outdoor scenarios, so dressing appropriately for the weather is essential.
On Day 7 or 8, there will be a class session that extends into the evening after dinner. The total instruction time will exceed 70 hours. This interactive course involves some physical contact with fellow participants and requires a moderate level of strength.
Additionally, there may be occasional homework assignments to complete outside of class time.
Must pass final written exam, practical skills exam and show skills competency to receive WFR certification.
Lodging: We have an onsite lodging option
Ready to Enroll for WFR?
Select a date to sign-up and pay your tuition. If you are a Kalamazoo College student, Staff/Faculty, or Alumni, check out your discount code here.
- June 10-12, 15-20, 2026
- April 30-May 8, 2027
- June 9-11, 14-19, 2027
Course Topics
Please be aware that the following topics and subjects are commonly covered in the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. However, the order and progression of topics may vary during the course.
- RESPONSE AND ASSESSMENT
- Standard Precautions
- Patient Assessment
- SOAP Notes
- Patient Lifting and Moving
- Shock
- MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
- Musculoskeletal System
- Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
- Spinal Cord Injury Management
- ENVIRONMENTAL, EMERGENCIES, and SURVIVAL
- The Human Animal
- Cold Related Injuries: Hypothermia and Frostbite
- Heat Illness: Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke
- North American Bites and Stings
- Lightning
- Drowning
- SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
- Stopping the Bleed
- Wound Cleaning
- Bandaging Skills
- Infections
- Burns
- MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
- Changes in Level of Consciousness
- Breathing Issues, Asthma, Allergic Reactions
- Chest Pain, Pulse, Heart Attack
- Search and Rescue skills
- Triage
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- WRITTEN TEST, PRACTICAL SKILLS EXAM AND COURSE COMPLETION
Supplies List
You should plan to have clothing that will be appropriate to the season for where and when you will be taking the class. Weather permitting, we will be spending a significant portion of the class time outside. The following list is to supplement the clothing you will be wearing. You are free to supplement it with anything else you would normally carry. You will be using your equipment to provide care, build splints, and to keep yourself and OTHERS warm. If you have questions regarding the usual weather where your course will be held, please contact the sponsor.
We will be providing some clothing for splinting materials, sleeping pads, and training med kits.
Please note, we use moulage throughout the training that can stain some clothing, therefore, you may want to bring older or darker clothing to wear for scenarios.
Required Items
The following items should be packed for each class:
- Backpack to put everything in
- Extra clothing (for layering and to use in splints)
- Items that you would normally take on a day hike or overnight hike
- Raingear tops and Bottoms
- 2 Warm Hats (synthetic* or wool)
- 1 Pair Warm Gloves or Mittens (synthetic* or wool)
- 2 Pair Warm socks (synthetic* or wool) or wool)
- Warm Top and Bottom Layer (synthetic* or wool)
- 2 Pair Warm socks (synthetic* or wool)
- 2 Water Bottles (1 liter/quart or larger)
- Hiking boots or Sturdy Hiking Shoes (no Five Fingers shoes please)
- Notebook with Pen/Pencil
- Watch with Second Hand (or digital with seconds)
Helpful Things to Bring
- Headlamp or Flashlight (don’t forget extra batteries and bulbs)
- Pocket Knife
- Insect Repellent (in season)
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen
- 40 feet Small Diameter Cord (parachute cord is fine)
- Sleeping Pad (Ensolite, Thermarest, Ridgerest, etc.)
- 10’ X 10’ 4-6 mil Plastic Tarp (for shelter building)
- Bandanas/Cravats of any kind
*Polyester or Polypropylene (Capilene, Bergelene, Dri-Clime, etc.) We do not recommend cotton which loses its ability to hold heat if wet.
What to Expect After Enrollment
After enrolling in an Outdoor Leadership Training Center course and paying the tuition, you can expect a e-receipt to be sent to you immediately.
All courses will be held on Kalamazoo College’s campus. You will receive an email closer to the course date with details such as your class’s location, parking, etc.