Wilderness First Aid Certification Course

April 12-13th 2025 

13th Annual WFA Certification Course for Adult Leaders

6:00 p.m. Friday to 2:00 p.m. Sunday

Camp Thunder at Gerald I. Lawhorn Scouting Base

WFA certification is required for all adult leaders attending BSA high adventure camps

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Certified Wilderness First Aid instructors Dr. Susan Northrup, M.D., and David McLaughlin, WFR, will lead a team of instructors through 24 hours of informative and intense training at Camp Thunder. 

Course curriculum includes patient assessment; symptoms, treatments, and evacuation guidelines for chest injuries, shock, head and spine injuries, bone and joint injuries, wounds and infections, and other medical emergencies; first aid kits; and “hands on” skill scenarios. 

Course attendees will spend approximately half the course in classroom instruction and half the course practicing skills in a wilderness setting. 

Course attendees will leave with two-year WFA certification and the competence to recognize and treat injuries and medical emergencies in the wilderness.

Course attendees will sleep in platform tents on Friday and Saturday night at Camp Thunder.  Three Saturday meals, two Sunday meals, and snacks throughout the weekend will be provided. 

The course tuition will cover lodging and meals; course training book (Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care in Remote Locations, 6th); NOLS Wilderness Medicine Field Guide, 6th Edition; Flint River Council Wilderness First Aid patch; and training materials. 

In order to be WFA certified, current CPR certification is required.  An optional CPR certification training will take place Sunday after lunch following the completion of WFA.  Participants not taking the optional CPR certification must provide proof of current CPR certification at the beginning of the WFA in order to become WFA certified. 

The course will be limited to 30 adult leaders, so please sign up immediately. 

Please contact David McLaughlin at mclaughlin247@gmail.com if you have any questions about the course.