*** APPLICATIONS HAVE CLOSED ***

Students will be notified of decisions by November 3rd. 

Join Kindling Collective and Backcountry Pulse for a Queer and BIPOC Wilderness First Responder (WFR) hybrid course! The WFR builds upon the foundational skills taught in Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses (although these are not prerequisites), offering a deeper dive into complex wilderness medicine skills and independent decision-making. This course provides evidence-based training in a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive environment that values patient dignity and inclusive care. The WFR is tailored for individuals engaged in remote or multi-day outdoor activities where emergency help may be delayed by days or more.

This is a hybrid 80-hour curriculum; students will need to engage in 20-30 hours of pre-course interactive online learning before the 50-hour/6-day in-person program. The in-person portion of the course includes engaging lectures, simulations, and hands-on practice of first responder skills, covering trauma, medical, and environmental care, as well as advanced patient management and evacuation planning. Unique to Backcountry Pulse, every WFR course includes a day-long student-led scenario day conducting full patient assessments and evacuations in remote areas.

There will be an optional add-on Street Medic Bridge Training Day on January 20th. The day will cover consent, ethics, and other direct action/protest-specific knowledge. Participants will also receive hands-on training with pepper spray and tear gas decontamination as well as an opportunity for review of other hands-on skills.

The cost of the course includes housing and dinners each day of the course. Students will need to plan to cover their own breakfasts and lunches.

Students will be notified of decisions by November 3rd.

Applications are free. Final registration for this WFR is sliding scale,  $500-$1500 for white participants, $250-$1500 for BIPOC participants. We are fundraising to reduce the cost of this course! If you have any cool ideas or a bunch of money to help cover WFR costs for others please reach out to us at info@kindlingcollective.org

Experience Required: None