Thanks for inquiring about teaching with Wilderness Medicine Outfitters

The following applies to all instructor candidates
AFTER reading this page IF still interested: email carl@wildernessmedicine.com
giving your location, experience, age, ph# and when available for a call. You may also call 303-688-5176 in case the director is available, 
 

As of 2014 we have an on line portion of the Wilderness Medicine Instructors course. This allows you with good study to save 2 or more days of in person training and get much more out of your in person time with a WMO Instructor Trainer.

WMO Instructors Course

This course shares 47 years of knowledge and the experience of close to 100 instructors on teaching wilderness medicine. There are 4 locations for resource which can be studied at the students own time schedule
There will be a pre-quiz on the material:

1 - Resources on http://wildernessmedicine.com/resource.

2 - Resource Center on the WMO learn site.

3 - Student Resource Center on the WMO learn site.

4 - WFA20 Skill Instructors Area on the WMO learn site. Skill Instructor:

With many single topic short 2 to 4 hour courses.  This online course is new for 2014 having a price of $225. It is followed by a 2 day in person live class followed 2 to 3 mentored live WFA classes the student teaches while being mentored by a senior WMO instructor. Price for the live sessions varies and is some times at no cost to the instructor candidate. This is a progressive course usually giving WFA authority and if the candidate wishes allowing progression to AWFA, WFR, WALS

 

Those who do not yet fully meet these rigorous guidelines, but are physically fit (able to read, write, speak, and lift/carry the state recommended loads) may start into the instructor apprentice training program.

  1. Have a broad outdoor background with at least one or two specialty areas, i.e., climbing, rafting, camping, mountaineering, horse packing, trail riding, tracking or backpacking.
  2. Be WEMT or  WMO WFR trained. WMO WALS training is a plus.
  3. Instructors need teaching experience and need a medical instructor courses such as the state Instructor Trainer, Instructor Coordinator Program and or  the WMO Instructor class
  4. Your WEMT rating can be taken through Wilderness Medicine Outfitters. There are a few other wilderness providers whose WEMT modules are acceptable.
  5. Have significant experience such as outdoor / prolonged transport / wilderness medical care, i.e., search and rescue, ambulance paid or volunteer, guide service, youth camps, hospital volunteer, etc.
  6. An instructor contract must be signed to start on your path to becoming an instructor.
  7. Most instructors apprentice as a helper for one or two full WFR / WEMT classes and then teach as a Second for one or two classes before they become a lead instructor, assuming they have met all other criteria.
  8. Be acceptably interviewed by the school director and one other instructor.
  9. Be in good physical fitness, be morally straight, and don't abuse substance or anything else...Yes, of the Scouting (Arthurian) philosophy and morality.
  10. Instructors from other schools will receive a warm interview. With exceptional experience, documentation, and teaching as a Second in one full WMO WEMT class, they can be considered for a lead position with WMO lead instructor recommendation.
  11. Submit a resume with references After the phone interview. An in person interview is helpful but not always necessary
  12. Occasionally a very focused apprentice will be taken on, out of the above order, with agreed to prepayment and proven Commitment by the candidate

Wilderness Medicine Instructor classes are usually offered once a year. There is a minimum charge for 2 students of $600 plus travel and accommodations if outside of Denver metro area.  Large groups may receive special pricing depending upon their planned classes. The first two WFA classes can be back to back to reduce costs of having a senior WMO instructor in attendance as an instructor trainer/mentor. The Senior instructor is usually a Fellow or Master Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine- a rare and exclusive breed.  How hard the instructor candidate works and their level of prior experience will determine whether they must teach 1, 2, or more mentored classes before starting solo teaching. A detailed document is available upon request showing the royalty amount paid  to WMO for each student taught with the large share after the first two classes going to the new instructor.

 

Leave No trace Trainer Course

WMO’s Trainer course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the Leave No Trace techniques through practical applications in a field setting.  The travel involved is light since we spend most of our time in group discussion and skills practice.  In addition we will interview park rangers or similar public use land folk and visit their lands to see actual impact.

WMO environmental commitment is strong and practical in the out doors and carries over to ever day life. WMO recycles and encourages its students to do the same. WMO’s director Carl Weil has lived with solar power as well as active and passive solar heat since 1984.  His commitment to an environmental way of life helps the LNT Trainer see far deeper into practical ethics. WMO's 130 acre campus was turned into a environmental conservation preserve in the early 2000's..

All the skills and knowledge of a LNT Master course are included in this shorter and more modestly price class. WMO’s objective is to educate outdoor recreationist in Leave No Trace principles so they will teach others. WMO offers you Camper Teacher certificates to hand out when you teach a class in the field.  The outdoor class room provides an ideal setting for learn and teaching this type curriculum; including both discussion of wild land ethics and experiential learning of Leave no Trace techniques.

In addition classes do actual supply acquisition planning.

Topics include the seven LNT principles:

  1. Route choices
  2. Campsite locations
  3. Fires
  4. Waste disposal
  5. Animals both wild and pets
  6. Water
  7. Legal issues

The Schedule usually starts Friday morning at 8 am (arriving and camping the night before is often possible).  The training includes camping Friday and Saturday with class ending Sunday afternoon or early evening.  Two LNT booklets can be included.  One of the Rocky Mountains and a second if you let WMO know 10 days in advance of an other area of your interest.  Several reprints are also given to students as well as a comprehensive LNT library is available for use during the class.