Whether you’re hiking remote trails, working outdoors, homesteading, or simply want to be better prepared for emergencies, knowing what to do when help is far away can make all the difference.
From August 14 through 16, 2026, Spiral Living Center is offering a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification course at Frog Farm in Cave Junction, Oregon. This immersive 16-hour training provides practical, hands-on instruction for responding confidently to medical emergencies when professional care isn’t immediately available.
Course Schedule
- Friday, August 14: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday, August 15: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday, August 16: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Learn to Think Beyond the First Aid Kit
Unlike traditional first aid courses that focus on urban emergencies, Wilderness First Aid teaches you how to assess situations, improvise with limited resources, and make sound decisions in remote environments.
Throughout the weekend, classroom instruction is paired with realistic scenarios that help students understand not just what to do, but why they’re doing it.
Topics include:
- Preventing and recognizing wilderness hazards
- Assessing injuries and medical emergencies
- Understanding how the body’s systems respond to trauma and illness
- Stabilizing patients until advanced care is available
- Improvising treatments with available materials
- Preparing for disasters when emergency services may be delayed or overwhelmed
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, volunteer, community member, or someone interested in emergency preparedness, this course builds practical skills you can use for years to come.
National Certification
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Wilderness First Aid certification through the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), valid for two years.
Certification includes:
- Official certification card
- Certificate
- NASAR patch
To earn certification, participants must attend the entire course and demonstrate required skills during practice sessions.
A copy of Wilderness First Aid, 3rd Edition by Steve Donelan is required and available for an additional $30.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor Laurel Peña (she/her) first became certified as a Wilderness EMT 18 years ago while living in the remote Klamath River region of Karuk Ancestral Territory. Today she serves as a Paramedic with Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance and as a Medical Assistant for the Karuk Community Health Clinic.
As a Clinical Herbalist, Laurel also integrates herbal knowledge into her teaching when appropriate, helping students gain a deeper understanding of how the human body functions and how thoughtful care can make a meaningful difference in emergency situations.
Her teaching style emphasizes understanding, confidence, and practical problem-solving rather than memorization.
Reserve Your Spot
Space is limited for this certification course. Please secure your place by August 1, 2026, by submitting your payment using one of the following methods:
- Check: Payable to Spiral Living Center and mailed to:
Spiral Living Center
9044 Takilma Road
Cave Junction, OR 97523 - Venmo
- Cash: Contact us to arrange a time to drop off your payment.
- PayPal: Send your payment to spiral@spiralliving.org
The course is offered on a sliding scale of $200 to $300, with three scholarships available for participants ages 16 to 18. Camping and meals are also available for an additional fee.
We look forward to helping you build the confidence and skills to respond when emergencies happen far from help..