Instructional Workshops for the Outdoors
The Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) is proud to offer Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Certification to the public! Whether you are a weekend warrior or a backcountry guide, the knowledge you gain in these classes will serve you well. Click on the links to jump below:
- Wilderness First Aid (2-day course)
- Wilderness First Responder (8-day course)
WFAWilderness First Aid (WFA)
The Wilderness First Aid 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 day trips or 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 will develop your core skills in response and assessment, musculoskeletal injuries, soft tissue injuries, and environmental and medical emergencies.
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 $220 Public. $205 Student Price. See following bullet points for more details. When you register online, use the drop-down menu to choose the appropriate registration.
- Optional CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification: Available for an additional $55, hosted on Saturday evening, after the rest of class. (Please note: Your WFA or WFR is valid only with current CPR certification.)
- Optional Lodging: Available for an additional $30 to those 18 years and older. On-site housing will be in the Campus Recreation Center on Friday and Saturday nights. 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.) Lodgers may sleep in 2-3 spread-out locations in the building. The Campus Recreation Center will be open to normal users both 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.
- Student Price: We are happy to offer our discounted Student Price to any active college, university or high school student, no matter what school you attend; please register using your school-issued email. UML Faculty or Staff may register using the Student Price.
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.
| WFA Registration Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Base Price (no CPR or lodging) | $220 |
| Public + Lodging $30 | $250 |
| Public + CPR $55 | $275 |
| Public + CPR $55 + Lodging $30 | $305 |
| Student Base Price (no CPR or lodging) | $205 |
| Student + Lodging $30 | $235 |
| Student + CPR $55 | $260 |
| Student + CPR $55 + Lodging $30 | $290 |
Food is not provided. There is a kitchenette in the facility with a refrigerator, dishes, cabinet storage, a microwave, a toaster, and an electric kettle that are accessible to participants.
| SOLO Wilderness First Aid / WFR Recertification Dates | Course Detail Page(s) | Registration Links |
|---|---|---|
| November 21-22, 2026 | Class Information: Wilderness Medicine Classes webpage | Register Online - Wilderness First Aid November 21-22 |
| February 27-28, 2027 | Class Information: Wilderness Medicine Classes webpage | Register Online - Wilderness First Aid February 27-28 |
WFRWilderness First Responder (WFR)
The WFR course is eight days long (72-plus hours), is presented by SOLO Wilderness Medicine and takes an in-depth look at responding to medical issues and emergencies in the wilderness context.
The instructor teaches participants standards and skills in dealing with:
Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, Shock and Bleeding Control, Spinal Trauma, Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Systems, Altitude-Related Issues, and Medical Emergencies in the wilderness context, as well as CPR. The course includes practice application scenarios, where the group works through scenarios outside in hands-on assessment and response. Participants will pass the course through successful practical skills assessments throughout the course, CPR practical exam, and Wilderness First Responder written exam.
No prerequisites or medical experience required. This course is open to the public. Minimum age for WFR certification is 16 years old. Certification lasts 3 years.
Fees: Base Price $825 Public. $755 Student Price. See following bullet points for more details. 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: Available for an additional $105 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.) Lodgers may sleep in 2-3 spread-out locations in the building. The Campus Recreation Center (CRC) 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.
- Student Price: We are happy to offer our discounted Student Price to any active college, university or high school student, no matter what school you attend; please register using your school-issued email. UML Faculty or Staff may register using the Student Price.
- *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. We will be in touch with individuals when putting through final payments. This is only available through December 2, 2026.
| WFR Registration Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Base Price (no lodging) | $825 |
| Public Base Price (no lodging) Deposit Option* | $420, with remaining $405 due December 3 |
| Public + Lodging $105 | $930 |
| Public + Lodging Deposit Option* | $420, with remaining $510 due December 3 |
| Student Base Price (no lodging) | $755 |
| Student Base Price (no lodging) Deposit Option* | $385, with remaining $370 due December 3 |
| Student + Lodging $105 | $860 |
| Student + Lodging Deposit Option* | $385, with remaining $475 due December 3 |
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. An electric water kettle is 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.
| SOLO Wilderness First Responder Dates | Course Details Page(s) | Registration Links |
|---|---|---|
| January 3-10, 2027 | Class Information: Wilderness Medicine Classes webpage | Register Online - Wilderness First Responder January 3-10 |
Questions
Both WFA and WFR are 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.