Academic classes and field safety courses
Summer 2025 classes and clinics
Earn credits with Outdoor Adventures!
Outdoor Adventures offers academic and recreational courses throughout the year. These courses are a great way to develop your skills and expand your resume. The RECR and NRM classes allow you to learn a new sport, travel into Alaska's backcountry and gain the experience and confidence to do these sports on your own or with friends in the future.
Not for credit. This course is currently full with a waitlist. Please contact Frank Olive for more information folive@alaska.edu
Cost: $950
Instructor: Fred Harbison
Location: Moose Mountain Base Lodge
When: May 5-13 8am-6pm
The WFR is 72+ hours long, and is a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills of dealing with: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies. Although these appear to be the same basic topics covered in our two-day WFA course, they are covered far more extensively, and there is much more hands-on practice. Additional topics, such as CPR, are also included.
Note: This course is not covered under the general field researcher training but arrangements can be made to pay for this course with departmental JVs
Not for credit. This course is currently full with a waitlist. Please contact Frank Olive for more information folive@alaska.edu
Cost: $300
Instructor: Fred Harbison
Location:UAF, (old) UPARK 155
When: April 30th-May 2nd
This three day course will recertify your Wilderness First Responder Training for another 2 years. This SOLO course will work to recertify any of the major providers certification (WMI, WMA, AERIE, SOLO). This will tune up your backcountry medical skills and remind you of all the things that have leaked out of your brain over the last couple of years. CPR and AED is included in this re-cert. (Current certification is required to re-cert)
Note: This course is not covered under the general field researcher training but arrangements can be made to pay for this course with departmental JVs
1 Credit
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location: SRC 105 (Outdoor Adventures Office)
Field Fee: $300
Dates : 7/7 - 7/17
This course introduces students to whitewater kayaking and hydrology. Students will learn how to comfortably navigate a whitewater kayak in up to class 3 whitewater. Technical skills like foward paddling, surfing, eddy turns, boofing, and rolling will all be covered in this course. Additionally, soft skills like scouting and trip leading will be included in the cirriculum.
There are no prerequisites for this course; however, enrollees must be in adequate physical condition to carry 30-40 pounds for approximately a half mile and must have the ability to swim approximately 100ft with the assistance of a personal flotation device.
1 Credit
Instructor: Frank Olive
Location: SRC 105 (the Outdoor Adventures office)
Field Fee:$495
Classroom: Friday 6/13 6pm-9pm, Saturday 6/14 8am-5pm, Sunday 8/15 8am-5pm
Field Sessions: 6/16-22 Backpacking trip in the Brooks Range
This course is designed to introduce students to the art of backpacking the Arctic. We will cover a wide range of topics during the course. We will go over route planning, food preparation, gear choices, and emergency preparedness here in Fairbanks. We will then head out for a week-long backpacking trip in the Brooks Range. This environment will provide many opportunities for instruction and learning moments. We will specifically discuss navigation, river crossings, camp selection, safe bear practices and many of the Leave No Trace camping ethics that are important while backpacking in the Arctic.
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: May 22nd and 23rd
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: June 29th and 30th
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: July 19th and 20th
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Spring 2025 Field Safety classes
Course fees are covered for UAF Researchers by UAF VC La Belle-Hamer, but Fund-Org is required for registration.
Working in the field has a unique set of challenges and risks. At Outdoor Adventures, we recognize those hazards and have worked with researchers on campus to compile a variety of trainings that will give you the tools, tips, and tricks to help mitigate some of the risk associated with field work.
We offer a collection of courses in the Spring semester each year, funded by UAF Vice Chancellor for Research, Nettie La Belle-Hamer. Outside of these offerings, we are able to provide the same material for a fee (season dependent) .
If you are looking for training for your team, please see our courses listed below and pricing. Please contact us if you are interested in coordinating a course for your group. Mark Oldmixon - mtoldmixon@alaska.edu or 907-474-6709
Complete this with your information, including Fund-Org Accounting info. The Google Form will go LIVE December 9th, 2024 at Noon. First-come, First-serve.
If you have a question contact Mark Oldmixon by email or calling 907-474-6709.
The course fees for these regularly scheduled programs are covered by a generous grant from Vice Chancellor La Belle-Hamer. We are requiring a Fund-Org Acct number in order to reserve your spot. We will charge the account a $50/day fee if you cancel within 5 calendar days or just skip the class. Unfortunately, we had people skip courses in the past, and leave people on the waitlist who could have used this training.
Date: Thursday, March 27th
Time: 8:30am-4:00pm
Where: Gruening 306
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Mark Oldmixon
This awareness level course is important for anyone heading into the mountains during seasons in which snow is likely. Learn to identify avalanche slopes and hazards. Understand red flag situations and scenarios. Learn how to use critical rescue gear in the event of a burial. This course will be both inside and outside, dress appropriately. Roughly 7 hours.
Date: Monday, 2.3.2025
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Where: SRC 105 - Outdoor Adventures Office
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Frank Olive
If you utilize cross country skis or snowshoes in the field, this is the course for you. We'll practice various techniques for travel with these mediums and learn about environmental considerations. Additionally, we'll spend some time focusing on layering and the means of setting yourself up for success in a wintery environment.
Date: Tuesday, 2.11.25
Time: 8:00am - 12:00PM
Where: Gruening 215
Instructor: Bethany Graves
Learn this simple skill that has been proven to save lives when done quickly and correctly. Includes Adult/Child CPR, AED as well as EpiPen autoinjector.
Date: Awaiting Rescheduling
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Gruening 309
Instructor: Julia Aikman
QPR Provides three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. A trained QPR Gatekeeper can help prevent suicide by understanding how to recognize warning signs, ask questions, provide hope, and get help. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.
Date: Saturday, February 22nd and Sunday February 23rd, 2025
Time: 8am - 6pm, both days
Where: Greuning 301
Space: Limited to 12 participants
Instructor: Deb Anjago
20-hour wilderness first aid course. During this course you will get information about first aid in a wilderness context. This includes assessing how serious a medical problem is, if it is fixable in the field, and what kind of evacuation, help or resources are needed to resolve the problem. This course curriculum is provided by WMA. (CPR/AED not included in this clinic)
Date: Monday, February 24th and Tuesday, February 25rd, 2025
Time: 8am - 6pm, both days
Where: Wood Center Conf. E/F
Space: Limited to 12 participants
Instructor: Deb Anjago
20-hour wilderness first aid course. During this course you will get information about first aid in a wilderness context. This includes assessing how serious a medical problem is, if it is fixable in the field, and what kind of evacuation, help or resources are needed to resolve the problem. This course curriculum is provided by WMA. (CPR/AED not included in this clinic)
Date: Friday, 2.28.2025
Time: 9:00am- 5pm
Where: We will meet at Rod's property
Space: limited to 12
Learn the basics of snowmachine riding and field repairs. We'll have an opportunity to ride in a variety of environments and terrains. All machines and riding gear will be provided by the instructor.
Instructor: Rodney Pangborn
Date: Tuesday, 3.04.2025
Time: 11:00am - 11:30am
Where: Bunnel 308
Space: limited to 10
Instructors: Nikki Crenshaw
Date: Thursday, 3.6.2025
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Greuning 309
Space: Limited to 12
Instructor: Becca Whitman and Bethany Graves
UAF Risk Management will be providing instruction to help you better understand UAF policies and procedures. Did you know the Chancellor needs to approve you having a gun in the field? Do you know what to do if you are bringing a minor in the field or hosting a group a school kids? Are you allowed to have alcohol in the field? How do you explain vehicle insurance to another driver or the police if you are in an accident?
Each participant will be given some great safety equipment for attending. Last year everyone got Bear Spray. This year...we will surprise you
Date: Monday, 4.07.2025
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Instructor: Sam Stone
We will be covering important aspects of managing a remote field camp. Topics discussed include:
- Food logistics
- Equipment management
- Leadership styles
- Group dynamics
Date: Thursday, 4.17.2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Space: Limited to 8
Instructor: Frank Olive
This clinic will be a introduction to the concepts and techniques of safely traveling on a glacier. The course will present the general principles of glacier travel including; route choices, the anatomy of crevasses, safety and rescue gear, rope work and knots, self-rescue, partner rescue, anchor basics, haul systems, camp selection, and gear management. The course will be presented as a mixture of indoor and outdoor time with mostly hands-on learning.
Date: Thursday, 4.24.2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Outdoor Adventures - SRC 105
Space: Limited to 8
Instructor: Frank Olive
This clinic will give folks an introduction to the concepts and techniques of being comfortable and safe in the backcountry. We will cover clothing systems, tents, stoves, water treatment, minimizing impact, student rights in the field, communication, risk management, decision making, and other topics for maintaining comfort and safety in the backcountry. The course will be presented as a mixture of lectures and hands-on activities happening both inside and outside.
Date: May, 13th - 14th. This is a two day training and will be held on consecutive days.
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm, both days.
Where: UAF Outdoor Adventures Office (SRC Room 105); classroom and outside
Space: Limited to 10
Instructor: Peter Westley
Classroom instruction followed by hands-on trailering and boat handling in the Chena River. Activities include basic motor troubleshooting, knot tying, all about trailers, life jacket review, jets vs props on outboards, navigation, and more.
Date: May 2025
Bear Safety Intensive: May 14th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Bear Safety Refresher: May 21st, 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: UAF- Room TBD
(Additional Classes can be scheduled with Outdoor Adventures)
Space: Limited to 12
Instructor: Alex Beutow
Bear awareness, encounter prevention and appropriate response scenarios discussed. This course goes more in depth and includes practice bear spray scenarios, multi media presentation. Inert Bear spray provided for practice.
Date: May 2025
- Pistol: May 12 and May 19th
- Shotgun: May 13th and May 20th
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm each day
Where: Fox Range. Transportation not included
Space: Limited to 6 students per session
Instructor: Alex Beutow
Guns and ammunition must be provided by the participant.
Please read through the UAF Field Firearms Policy
Information for review prior to course time: Planning Document
Date: May 8th & 9th, 2025
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm, both days
Where: Chena and Tanana Rivers. No formal classroom space. Expect to spend the majority of the time in the water with various whiteboard sessions on the riverbank.
Instructor: Sam Stone
Space: Limited to 12 students per session
Anyone who ventures out in environments with moving water will benefit from this course. We'll practice skills such as wading, swimming, throw ropes, mechanical advantage, subject extrication, and knot tying. This course will satisfy American Canoe Association L3 swiftwater technician certification, a valuable training for anyone also seeking to work in paddlesports or safety recreate in a paddlesports medium.