Workshops

Fail to plan, plan to fail...   and failure in the wilderness can be deadly.  Before you venture off the beaten trail, learn everything you should do to avoid some common and costly errors.  ESSENTIAL material for outdoor and wilderness professionals, instructors and guides!

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This workshop includes Level I / Basic, a 1-day workshop for teachers and front country leaders or guides which covers just the essentials of preparation and group management and safety.  

 

Level II / Intermediate is a 2-day course, which adds emergency preparedness and response from scouting, packing and alternate trip plans to managing emergent situations in the backcountry.

 

No guide should take a group on the trail without the Level II / Intermediate essentials.

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If your child were separated from you on the trail, would she or he know what to do? Would you be able to tell authorities what your child had been taught to do?

 

Predictable behavior goes a long way toward increasing chances of survival as well as in helping rescuers find the lost.  A life-saving workshop for families and community groups involved with children.

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A one-day workshop for parents, educators, group leaders and the children in their lives.  Take this course together as a family or group so everyone knows what to do in a lost-person scenario.  The course covers lost-proofing skills that children can easily learn and remember as well as critical, life-saving skills developed by the National Search and Rescue Association's (NASAR) for the Hug-A-Tree program.

As the world becomes more technology-centered and AI continues to advance into every facet of our lives, it becomes increasingly critical for youth to spend time in nature.  Outdoor learning benefits the mind, body and soul in ways that no artificial environment or tools ever could. 

 

Experiencing the unpredictable, awe-inspiring, challenging and rewarding aspects of nature and outdoor learning is invaluable for children to develop into socially adept, well-rounded and compassionate human beings.  Nature learning provides a wealth of benefits that AI cannot replace:

Personal/human connection; Critical thinking skills; Exploration; Discovery; Self-actualization; Mental & Physical Fortitude, among others. 

 

Learn how to maximize and leverage these invaluable aspects of nature learning at a time when they are increasingly critical.

Through my interactions with the SAR community, I have seen many instances where people got lost due to lack of basic navigational skills combined with a heavy reliance on cell phones which can be useless at the most critical times due to weather or terrain.  ​

Don't become a statistic.  Learn how to use a topographic map and compass, combined with an understanding of natural forces so you can navigate the landscape. These skills are not only timeless, they also serve as an excellent aid to "lost-proofing" in situations where technology is unreliable.

 

A 1-day workshop focuses on either topo map and compass skills or pioneer land navigation skills.  The 2 2-day workshop covers both.  Hands-on, fun and interactive, we highly recommend this workshop be scheduled in-person at a site which contains the resources to facilitate skills learning.  

The next time you venture down the trail, go with the confidence of knowing that you are thoroughly informed, equipped and prepared for your trek. Many people wander down the trail and straight into trouble because they didn't properly plan, prepare and pack - but you don't have to be one of them!

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The 1-day workshop includes intro to hiking which covers planning, preparing and packing for a day trip.  Topics include gear features and benefits, how to select gear and proper usage.  

 

The 2-day workshop adds basic backpacking plan/prep/pack and covers gear, proper usage and fit.  Examples:  Backpack selection & sizing; backpacking stoves & cook sets; backpacking tents, bivy's, sleeping bags & hammocks;  sleeping pads, boots, trekking poles, water supplies and more.

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Nature is full of surprises, so before you set foot on the trail, take the guess work out of being prepared.

How do air scent dogs find a person who is lost deep in the woods or a cavern, over a mile away? The science of scenting - from how the dog's nose works to where and how scent lingers in the air and how scent travels is as interesting as it is complex.  

 

The dogs don't know or care how they do it - it comes naturally to them!  But their handlers must understand the science behind scenting so that they can set the dog up to win - and help rescue someone who may be lost or injured in the backcountry!! 

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Knowing how SAR dogs work can be invaluable and life-saving insight to have should you ever find yourself in a situation where you hope to be discovered by an air-scent dog.  You can take specific actions to facilitate getting sniffed out and even send the dog back with clues for his handler.  This will not only facilitate your own rescue, it will provide a huge sigh of relief for worried loved ones.​​

More and more people are opting to share the trail with their tail-waggin' buddies. While there are many benefits to this, it also presents challenges for the dog, owner, other outdoor enthusiast and, of course, the resource - cultural relics, vegetation and wildlife, among others. Learn how to be a stellar dog handler thru our copy-righted Tails on Trails program.  You will enjoy a more hassle-free and pleasant experience, as will everyone and everything around you.

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Our 1-day workshop prepares handlers and their buddies for the Tails-on-Trails certification course.

Take the 2-day workshop if you would like us to include the assessment course.  Upon successful completion, an official Tails-on-Trails certification for both handler and K9 is earned.  

 

What better way to show your commitment to both your tail waggin' buddy and Mother Nature? 

A picture tells a thousand words.  Make sure yours say the words you want them to say.  Bring family and friends along with you on life's greatest adventures - even when they weren't there!

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There are techniques for capturing the excitement, adventure, serenity, awe, beauty and more that outdoor experiences provide.  Convey all this and more through the scenes you capture through the lens so that you will have captivating and heartwarming images to share and look back on for years to come.

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Learn about angle, framing, timing and more to create images that conjure up cherished memories. ​

 

Students will need their own camera and accessories for this class, DSLR, GoPro or cell phone.   Click HERE to visit the portfolio page.​​​​

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Who doesn't love an adorable image of a bee butt peeking out of a flower's petals? But how are these amazing images captured?  How do you know when to take the shot?  How can you film these tiny creatures without disturbing their busy routines?

 

This class teaches you how to capture great macro images of nature's amazing world of tiny treasures - without traumatizing the wildlife! Timing, technique, equipment - we'll have you capturing bee butts, butterflies, dragonflies and more, in no time!  Wildlife macro shooting is some of the best fun you can have through the lens of your camera!  Go here to see sample photos.

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Students must have their own equipment:  DSLR, macro lens and SD cards.  Click HERE to visit the portfolio page.

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Who doesn't want to record that amazing encounter with wildlife or even just our favorite four-footed friend and share it with friends and family!  But how do you capture some of these amazing shots?

 

Discover how to frame and shoot compelling images that you will treasure and look back on for years to come.  This fun and rewarding  1-day workshop is best held live, in-person and in a natural, wildlife rich environment.

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Students will need their own camera and accessories for this course.  DSLR, GoPro or even a cell phone camera.  This is all about learning where to look, how to frame and time your shot without disturbing your subject.  Click HERE to visit the portfolio page.