Outdoors & Aquatics
Wilderness Training & Certifications
USF Recreation & Wellness hosts a variety of clinics, trainings, and more for those looking to receive instruction and/or certification for the great outdoors!
Outdoor Adventure Knowledge (OAK) Clinics
OAK Clinics offer technical skill learning opportunities throughout the year addressing a specific topic relating to outdoor adventure travel. Clinics are free for USF students, pre-registration is required.
Campsite Cooking
You may be able to cook a meal in the residence hall microwave, but have you ever wanted to learn how to cook a meal while camping? This OAK Clinic will cover the basics you need to know for cooking on a stove while camping. By the end you will walk away with a meal as well!
- Location: TBA
- Date/Time: TBA
Bike Maintenance
Constantly needing repairs to your bike? Wish you could fix some of the things by yourself? This OAK Clinic will cover the basics of repairing a flat tire and adjusting your brakes, as well as learning the parts on a bike to know when tune-ups are needed. Everyone will get a tire tube repair kit at the end of the clinic.
- Location: TBA
- Date/Time: TBA
Kayak Paddling
Enjoy going kayaking but want to take your skills to the next level? This OAK Clinic will get us in kayaks on the Hillsborough River covering proper paddle stroke techniques to better steer and move your boat. This will be a fun interactive session, with plenty to time of enjoy nature as we work on techniques. This is session is meant for those with some kayaking experience already.
- Location: TBA
- Date/Time: TBA
Adventure Trip Planning
Does your friend group always talk about planning a hiking trip or camping trips? But they never seem to work out because you don’t know where to start planning? This OAK Clinic will cover planning adventures and travel for you and friends, including logistic considerations, brainstorming places, and putting a plan together.
- Location: TBA
- Date/Time: TBA
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Certifications
The USF Outdoor Recreation Education Center hosts NOLS Wilderness medicine course every year, through Landmark Learning.
You'll learn both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments!
Wilderness First Aid
The NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course will help you prepare for the unexpected. This fast paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Wilderness First Responder
The NOLS Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is designed to provide you with the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning.
The 80-hour curriculum includes standards for urban and extended care situations. Special topics include but are not limited to: wound management and infection, realigning fractures and dislocations, improvised splinting techniques, patient monitoring and long term management problems, up-to-date information on all environmental emergencies, plus advice on drug therapies. Emphasis is placed on prevention and decision-making, not the memorization of lists. Half of your time will be spent completing practical skills, case studies and scenarios designed to challenge your decision making abilities. Adult CPR is included in this course.
Wilderness First Responder Recertification
Are your wilderness medicine protocols on the tip of your tongue or in the bottom of your pack? This 3-day scenario-based course is designed as review and practice of evacuation and decision making guidelines. It also provides current updates in the wilderness medicine field.
You'll practice and relearn wilderness medicine protocols, review evacuation and decision making guidelines, and receive the latest updates in wilderness medicine.
Check out these online resources ahead of time, because you'll start the course with a written exam!