Leading a group on a backcountry trip requires extensive training in wilderness camping skills. The Technical Skills component is designed to teach the outdoor skills necessary to lead multi-day trips in the backcountry. Topics covered include route planning, navigation, outdoor cooking, and campsite selection and set-up.

The Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop is a two -hour class focusing on the 7 principles of Leave No Trace practices in the backcountry. This is required for anyone going through OA Leader Training and is typically offered in conjunction with the Technical Skills Course.

See the OA TripStore for dates and times and to sign up.

HEART (Health Education and Rescue Training) Wilderness First Aid is an intensive course that covers patient examination and evaluation, body systems and anatomy, wound care, splinting, environmental emergencies, and backcountry medicine. Hands-on simulations provide first-hand training in treating patients.

CPR is one of the core Leader Training requirements. OA teaches both Adult CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS). Certification in adult CPR is all that is required for OA Leaders and includes CPR and Automatic Electronic Defibrillation (AED) training from the American Heart Association. OA also teaches a more advanced course--Basic Life Support (BLS) which includes CPR for Adults, Infants and Children as well as AED. This course is a requirement for lifeguards, EMTs and Wilderness First Responders. Both certifications are good for 2 years.

See the OA TripStore for dates and times and to sign up.

OA Guide to Water Purification

The Backpacker's Field Manual

by Rick Curtis

published by Random House 2005

Available at Amazon.com

The Backpacker's Field Manual

A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills

by Rick Curtis, Director, Princeton University Outdoor Action Program
Second Edition published by Three Rivers Press division of Random House, May 2005

OA Leader Training Schedule

For course descriptions, visit the OA Leader Training Requirements Page

To register for any of the Leader Training sessions below, visit the OA TripStore

• OA Leader Training Schedule - Check out the current schedule of when these trainings will be held.
• Sign up at the OA TripStore

Becoming an Outdoor Action Leader

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I have to complete everything?

You can take the various components of training at different times during the year with the exception of the Leader Training 6-day trip which must be taken after you have completed all of the other requirements.