Workshops & Certifications

The Outdoor Adventure Program offers Outdoor Leadership Experiences, Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Certification as well as other Outdoor Education opportunities to help grow student leaders from participating to leading our programs and beyond!

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course presented by SOLO Wilderness Medicine is two days long (16 hours) and teaches a basic level of first aid training in the wilderness context. This course is for those who enjoy going on short wilderness trips and are seeking to gain a better understanding of how to manage and treat a variety of medical issues in the wilderness context. This course is open to the public. Minimum age for WFA certification is 14 years old. The nationally-recognized SOLO WFA certification lasts two years.

The SOLO WFA course may be used as a recertification for a current, unexpired SOLO Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

This course is the entry level standard for UMass Lowell (UML) Outdoor Adventure Program Assistant Trip Leaders. UMass Lowell Outdoor Adventure Program will offer this course during fall and spring semesters each year.

Fees: Base Price $195 Public. $180 Student Price. See following bullet points for more details and optional add-ons. When you register online, use the drop-down menu to choose the appropriate registration.

• Optional CPR Certification is available during the course on Saturday evening for an additional $45. (Please note: Your WFA or WFR is valid only with current CPR certification.)
• Optional lodging is available to those 18 years and older at $30 additional (details next bullet).
• Student Price: We are happy to offer our discounted Student Price to any active college or university student, no matter what college you attend; please register using your school-issued email. UML Faculty or Staff may register using the Student Price. High school students may also use the student price; please email directly to kate_ford@uml.edu with your high school name.
• Optional Lodging: Optional on-site housing may be available in the Campus Recreation Center starting the night before the course and available at a cost of $30 for the WFA course, available to those 18 years and older. Lodging includes showers, locker, and a kitchen (microwave, fridge, sink). Participants will use sleeping bags and sleeping pads and should be prepared to sleep 'camp' style on hard floors. (Please bring your own, or email: kate_ford@uml.edu to request to borrow items.) Due to COVID-19 considerations, lodgers may sleep in spread-out locations in the building. The Campus Rec Center will be open to normal users both days; lights will be on and people may be working out and using equipment in the building until closing time. Alternately, a number of hotels and off-site camping are available in the area and can be found through a google search.

Recertifying? People with current WFR certification from SOLO may recertify using the WFA course and will need to pay an additional $15 re-certification fee directly to SOLO. Please contact SOLO Schools for details.

Food is not provided. There is a kitchenette in the facility with a refrigerator, dishes, cabinet storage, a microwave, and toaster that will be accessible to participants.

Instructed by SOLO Wilderness Medicine.

Contact Kate Ford by email: Kate_Ford@uml.edu or phone: 978-934-1549 with questions.

Waitlist: When the class shows as full, you may register like normal and will automatically be placed on the waitlist. There is NO financial charge to be waitlisted; the system will, however, ask for your credit card information so you can be charged if a spot comes open. You will not automatically be moved into the class if a space opens. Instead, please watch your email as you will need to accept the spot in a timely fashion.

To prepare for your course or to see our Cancellation Policy, please see our Wilderness Medicine Classes webpage.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

The WFR course is 8-days long (72+ hours) is hosted by Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA) and takes an in-depth look at responding to medical issues and emergencies in the wilderness context. Instructors teach participants standards and skills in dealing with: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies in the wilderness context. The course includes practical application scenarios. Take it to the next wilderness medical level and get certified. No prerequisites or medical experience required. This course is open to the public. Minimum age for WFR certification is 16 years old.

Fees: Base Price $795 Public. $720 Student Price. See following bullet points for more details and for optional lodging add-on. When you register online, use the drop-down menu to choose the appropriate registration. CPR certification is included as part of the WFR course, no additional fee required.

Optional Lodging is an additional $105 and available to those 18 years and older. On-site housing will be in the Campus Recreation Center starting the night before the course for the duration of the WFR course. Lodging includes showers, locker, and a kitchen (microwave, fridge, sink). Participants will use sleeping bags and sleeping pads and should be prepared to sleep 'camp' style on hard floors. (Please bring your own, or email: kate_ford@uml.edu to request to borrow items.) Due to COVID-19 & other considerations, lodgers may sleep in 2-3 spread-out locations in the building. The Campus Rec. Center will be open to normal users most days from approximately 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.; lights will be on and people may be working out and using equipment in the building until closing time. Alternately, a number of hotels and off-site camping are available in the area and can be found through a simple google search.

Student Price: We are happy to offer our discounted Student Price to any active college or university student, no matter what college you attend; please register using your school-issued email. UML Faculty or Staff may register using the Student Price. High school students may also use the student price; please email directly to: kate_ford@uml.edu with your high school name.

*Deposit Option: Payment may be made in full upon registration, or you may choose the "Deposit & Pay Later" option, in order to pay a deposit now with the remainder due approximately one month before the course start date. This is only available through December 10, 2023.

Food is not provided. There is a kitchenette in the facility with a refrigerator, dishes, cabinet storage, a microwave, and toaster that will be accessible to participants. A coffee maker and electric water kettle are also available. A visit to a local grocery store can be arranged for those staying overnight.

This course goes all eight days, including Saturday and Sunday.

Instructed by Bill Frederick, Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA).

Contact Kate Ford by email: Kate_Ford@uml.edu or phone: 978-934-1549 with questions.

Waitlist: When the class shows as full, you may register like normal and will automatically be placed on the waitlist. There is NO financial charge to be waitlisted; the system will, however, ask for your credit card information so you can be charged if a spot comes open. You will not automatically be moved into the class if a space opens. Instead, please watch your email as you will need to accept the spot in a timely fashion.

To prepare for your course or to see our Cancellation Policy, please see our Wilderness Medicine Classes webpage.

American Canoe Association Level 1-2: Essentials of Kayak Touring Instructor Development and Certification Workshop (IDW/ICW)

This course is an American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Development and Certification Workshop for Level 1 and Level 2 Instructors for Essentials of Kayak Touring. This course is good for all paddlers, and especially those who will be working as kayak instructors day touring in flat and moderate conditions. This course is offered once a year in May for UMass Lowell Outdoor Adventure Program Trip Leaders and Kayak Center staff as well as open to the public.

• Course days: 2024 dates not yet final. Generally late May.
• For more information, see the ACA website for Essentials of Kayak Touring (IDW/ICW)
• Coming soon: Course Fees: UMass Lowell* $375 / Public* $395
  • *2024 prices not yet final.

Please email Kate Ford at: kate_ford@uml.edu to inquire about registering; space is limited.

Visit our Trips and Events Calendar webpage for events!