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Wilderness First Responder

All course participants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and have their booster if they are more than 6 months past their last vaccination in the series. Due to the hands-on nature of the course, we are unable to allow any medical or non-medical exceptions.

The May 9-18, 2022 WFR course is full as of Monday, April 18, 2022. 

You can get on the waiting list by calling 503-768-7116 and leaving your name, phone number, and email, or better yet, email your name, phone, and email address to us at outdoors@lclark.edu.That way there are no transcription mistakes from a voicemail.  Thanks! 

We do expect some cancelations, and we can let you know your place on the waitlist.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training is the hands-on medical course that is the industry standard for backcountry rangers, river guides, outdoor guides, as well as NOLS and Outward Bound instructors. The course includes engaging classroom sessions and outdoor scenarios taught by medical professionals from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

All College Outdoors Trip Leaders and Assistant Leaders are required to be WFR certified in order to lead off-campus trips. College Outdoors at Lewis & Clark College has sponsoring Wilderness First Responder courses for LC students and the broader community since 1996.

Learn more at the NOLS website.

Courses Sponsored by Lewis & Clark College

Wilderness First Responder

We typically offer an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course at Lewis & Clark College each May immediately following the end of Spring Semester, and each January immediately prior to Spring Semester. We also offer a course in Florida each January, immediately prior to Spring Semester. Registration for the both the Florida and on-campus Wilderness First Responder course begins on Friday, September 10th outside our office in Templeton and will stay open until all the spots are filled.

Wilderness First Responder Hybrid Recertification

We typically offer recertification for WFR each November and April. We offer the hybrid format recertification, which includes roughly 4 hours of online pre-work followed by 2 days of in-person instruction and scenario practice. If you are a Lewis and Clark Student and you are interested in completing the recertification course, please contact our College Outdoors office by emailing outdoors@lclark.edu.

Upcoming Events

Register by calling 503-768-7116 between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm,  and 4-6 pm M-F, Pacific Time.  Outside of those times, text 503 880-5387, and someone will call you back in a few minutes, or email outdoors@lclark.edu.  Lewis & Clark students can register in-person at our desk in East Hall at the times listed above.

On-campus  (Portland, OR) WFR:

  • Location: Lewis & Clark College campus
  • Dates: Monday, May 9th – Wednesday, May 18th, 2022
  • L&C Student Price: $695 (course price), housing and food is not included in price, but students living on campus in Spring 2022 can stay on campus for an additional cost of $25/day.
  • General Public Price: $825

Florida WFR: 

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DON’T WAIT TOO LONG TO REGISTER!

These courses are very popular and usually fill up early.
To participate in one of these courses, you will be asked to sign the Lewis & Clark College Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks and Agreements of Release and Indemnity, as well as the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Student Agreement.