Unity College is offering a number of wilderness certification courses this fall, extending their educational experience into the community at large. Whether it’s canoeing, pet first aid, Leave No Trace practices or learning the critical first aid skills in Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder, Unity College can help you get a leg up in your outdoor career or feel more secure in your wilderness knowledge when enjoying Maine with family and friends.

This season’s certification courses include:

  • Dog and Cat First Aid Training (American Red Cross)

Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Wednesday, November 1 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Learn how to respond to health emergencies and provide basic first aid for the four-legged members of your family. Learn everything from how to identify a normal heart and pulse rate, breathing rate and body temperature for cats and dogs to safely approaching an ill or injured cat or dog, to rescue breathing and CPR.

*FEE: $60 (Includes Dog or Cat First Aid book and DVD, material, and instruction)

  • Leave No Trace Master Educator Course (Leave No Trace Center of Outdoor Ethics)

Friday, October 6 at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, October 10 at 7:00 p.m. Five-day overnight.

Learn Leave No Trace techniques through practical application in a field-based setting, skits, discussions, and hands-on activities. This training will be a five day backpacking trip, and all participants must come prepared for backpacking and able to carry a 50lb pack. Successful graduates of the Master Educator course have the ability to train others in Leave No Trace skills and ethics. Participants must already be Leave No Trace Trainers.

This course will take place at the AMC Camp Dodge Volunteer Center in Gorham, N.H. and the White Mountain National Forest.

*FEE: $600 (Includes travel, food, materials, and instruction)

  • Introduction to Canoeing (American Canoe Association)

Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This introductory canoeing course will teach everything from canoe outfitting and equipment to paddle signals, strokes and maneuvers, t-rescue and risk management. Understand the four “W”s: water, wind, waves, and weather, and how they affect the canoeist.

*FEE: $75. (Includes travel, food, materials, and instruction)

  • CPR/First Aid/AED Blended Learning Course (American Red Cross)

Wednesday, Oct. 18 or Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

This blended course offers both classroom and online learning, including videos, lesson narration, drag-and-drop exercises, lesson reviews, and “test out” options. Once participants successfully complete the online portion of the class they will participate in a 90 minute in-person session led by an ARC Instructor. Successful completion of course participants receive the same two-year certifications as course takers of traditional classroom training.

*FEE: $70 (Includes materials and instruction)

  • Wilderness First Aid (American Red Cross)

Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Two-day course.

Learn advanced skills to give care for potentially life-threatening emergencies in a delayed-help situation. All WRFA students must have a current CPR card or will also include an Adult CPR/AED course on Saturday evening.

*FEE: $150 (Includes materials & instruction)

  • Leave No Trace Trainer Course (Leave No Trace Center of Outdoor Ethics)

Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 a.m  – Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4:00 p.m. Overnight.

Receive introductory training in Leave No Trace skills and ethics in a condensed two-day format. Trainers are eligible to conduct Awareness Workshops, which are designed for the general public to learn, practice and promote Leave No Trace. Must be able to carry a 45-50lb backpack over rough terrain.

*FEE: $125. (Includes travel, food, materials & instruction)

Programs through Unity College’s Certification and Training Center are hands-on and experiential. Students get the skills they need to be competent, responsible leaders long after their course ends, and instructors are experienced leaders and passionate educators.

Maine is our classroom. Courses are generally small at 6 – 30 participants. Depending on the type of course, all back-country trips will be a 1:6 ratio (staff: student). Our outdoor programs incorporate Leave No Trace ethics. Risk management and thoughtful planning are at the forefront of our courses, and we collaborate with State and National organizations to provide the best possible program.

Programs can be tailored to fit the needs of the students, including one-on-one guidance and support. A finalized courses schedule for Winter and Spring 2018 will be available by mid-Fall.

*All listed fees are presented at rates for those not currently attending or working for the college.