Trailkeepers University: Wilderness Survival - Private Course for Trailmix

Even with the best of preparation, unexpected situations can occur in the backcountry. Join Trailkeepers of Oregon for this hands-on overview of how to react and adapt when things go wrong. This hands on, four-hour course will include:

• An overview of the 10 Essentials and why they matter
• Priorities for Survival in an emergency
• Basic knot tying
• Building or finding shelter
• Essentials of fire building, and creative thinking about fire starters
• Water: where to find it, how to capture it, and how to make it safe to drink
• Navigational strategies
• Essential first aid
• Emergency communication options/strategies
• Lots of opportunities to ask questions and learn from each other!

What to bring:

TKO will provide all required gear, however participants are encouraged to bring your daypack filled with what you would typically carry on a day hike or when volunteering on a stewardship event.

Please be sure to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks/lunch
• Any medications or emergency supplies you may need
• Sunscreen + insect repellent

What to wear:

• Close toed-shoes (Open-toed shoes will not be allowed).
• Rain gear, insulating layers, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: TKO seeks to reduce barriers to opporutnities to learning skills in the outdoors. If you are interested in participating, but the ticket cost is a barrier for you, please contact Lindsay at [email protected].

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes and communities. We are the most recent in a long line of stewards to this land, and it is our responsibility to do so with humility and respect. We are grateful to these tribes and their descendants for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces, and encourage everyone to go beyond a land ackowledgment by supporting Indigenous communities and organizations in your area.

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: TKO seeks to make our events inclusive of people of all backgrounds and abilities. If you would like to discuss potential accommodations to allow for your participation in this event, please click here to complete a short Google survey. TKO staff will then contact you to discuss options. Please note: available accommodations will vary by event and typically need to be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance. If you have any questions, please contact TKO Stewardship Manager Lindsay McIntosh-Tolle at [email protected].

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe or welcome in the outdoors due to issues like racism, bias, and hate. We commit to being part of the solution to this problem and to enact change. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target any individual or group will not be tolerated by TKO.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical and emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you may: interrupt directly, tell a crew leader, and/or inform TKO staff via the post-event survey.

While TKO no longer requires masking/vaccination for our events, we do support those who choose to mask for their own safety. We ask participants to respect the health of folks who wear masks by distancing or wearing a mask while in close proximity.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Location TBD - Portland Metro area, Placeholder, Portland, United States