2024 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

First time attending the WRMC, or first time back in person in awhile? Curious about how to make the most of your time at the conference, or leaning about our affinity group spaces? You’re not alone! Want to meet a few folks who can help show you around and be a friendly face? Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this helpful session. Join members of the WRMC Steering Committee for an orientation. We'll break into small groups, go over the schedule and event options, offer tips, help you identify workshops that will help you meet your goals, and answer any other questions. You'll also have the chance to meet other attendees and make connections before the opening reception. We hope to see you there!

Enjoy this energizing event to kick-start your WRMC experience! Light refreshments provided and cash bar available. Network and learn from over thirty industry and professional partners and meet other attendees before the Opening Session.

Also stop by the Poster Presenter section of the exhibit hall to talk and learn from the following presenters:

Understanding Outdoor Guide Health, Resiliency, and Access to Services presented by Carly Knudson: In the West, outdoor recreational guiding is often championed as one of the “best jobs in the world”. With sublime backcountry “offices”, flexible seasonal schedules, care-free lifestyles, and perceived hero status defining your daily grind, it can feel difficult to complain. While many guides may emulate this “living the dream” narrative, insidious complications can impact the health and well-being of the guiding community. As an integrated member of the outdoor guiding community, one becomes too deeply aware of the community’s experiences with seasonal depression, substance abuse issues, social isolation, physical injury, lack of career and financial stability, or loss of loved ones in the community, among others. However, the understanding and communication of these unique factors are underrepresented in scientific literature, and not always well-understood by those “outside” of the community- potentially greater adding to stigmas, disparities, and health complications. The current project sought to better document descriptive health statistics specific to the outdoor guiding community in the Western US, while also examining individual resiliency factors. The project integrated community-engaged processes by collaborating with the non-profit organization, Redside Foundation, and members of the outdoor guide community as advisors in the development and dissemination of data collection tools.

Most commonly unmet standards from a 20 year study of accreditation site visits presented by Steve Pace & Aaron Funnel: The AEE accreditation system has provided voluntary accreditation services to interested programs for over thirty years. A range of programs have pursued accreditation during this time. Accreditation involves a self-assessment against published criteria, which is then followed by a site visit by an experienced review team, usually lasting about three days. It is a rigorous deep dive into the inner workings of a program, intending to strengthen various aspects of each program. This poster presentation reports on a study of 20 years of unmet standards identified in site visits, identified by site visit reports from over 150 site visits in this time. The presentation lists the top unmet standards and looks at variables such as the size of the program accredited and the length of time the program has already been accredited. This presentation should be useful to programs interested in reviewing their operations by reflecting on challenging standards to meet.

Powerful Questions Before Leading an Outdoor Trip presented by Jacob Kurt & Courtney Johnson: In the dynamic world of outdoor education and adventure, the success and memorability of a trip are deeply influenced by the careful planning and the thoughtful questions asked before setting out. This presentation focuses on the crucial role that asking powerful questions plays in preparing for any outdoor journey. These strategic inquiries are pivotal in boosting the safety, satisfaction, and overall experience of participants. We will explore a carefully selected set of essential questions that are designed to gauge participants' readiness, address health and safety concerns, and set clear expectations. These questions are invaluable tools for trip leaders, helping them to customize activities to meet the group's needs, minimize risks, and create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Through real-life case studies and actionable advice, attendees will discover how to seamlessly weave these powerful questions into their pre-trip planning efforts, guaranteeing that every outdoor adventure is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. Attend this session to uncover how straightforward yet impactful questions can transform your approach to outdoor leadership, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of your programs.

Network and learn from over thirty industry and professional partners!

Also stop by the Poster Presenter section of the exhibit hall to talk and learn from the following presenters: 

Understanding Outdoor Guide Health, Resiliency, and Access to Services presented by Carly Knudson: In the West, outdoor recreational guiding is often championed as one of the “best jobs in the world”. With sublime backcountry “offices”, flexible seasonal schedules, care-free lifestyles, and perceived hero status defining your daily grind, it can feel difficult to complain. While many guides may emulate this “living the dream” narrative, insidious complications can impact the health and well-being of the guiding community. As an integrated member of the outdoor guiding community, one becomes too deeply aware of the community’s experiences with seasonal depression, substance abuse issues, social isolation, physical injury, lack of career and financial stability, or loss of loved ones in the community, among others. However, the understanding and communication of these unique factors are underrepresented in scientific literature, and not always well-understood by those “outside” of the community- potentially greater adding to stigmas, disparities, and health complications. The current project sought to better document descriptive health statistics specific to the outdoor guiding community in the Western US, while also examining individual resiliency factors. The project integrated community-engaged processes by collaborating with the non-profit organization, Redside Foundation, and members of the outdoor guide community as advisors in the development and dissemination of data collection tools.

Most commonly unmet standards from a 20 year study of accreditation site visits presented by Steve Pace & Aaron Funnel: The AEE accreditation system has provided voluntary accreditation services to interested programs for over thirty years. A range of programs have pursued accreditation during this time. Accreditation involves a self-assessment against published criteria, which is then followed by a site visit by an experienced review team, usually lasting about three days. It is a rigorous deep dive into the inner workings of a program, intending to strengthen various aspects of each program. This poster presentation reports on a study of 20 years of unmet standards identified in site visits, identified by site visit reports from over 150 site visits in this time. The presentation lists the top unmet standards and looks at variables such as the size of the program accredited and the length of time the program has already been accredited. This presentation should be useful to programs interested in reviewing their operations by reflecting on challenging standards to meet.

Powerful Questions Before Leading an Outdoor Trip presented by Jacob Kurt & Courtney Johnson: In the dynamic world of outdoor education and adventure, the success and memorability of a trip are deeply influenced by the careful planning and the thoughtful questions asked before setting out. This presentation focuses on the crucial role that asking powerful questions plays in preparing for any outdoor journey. These strategic inquiries are pivotal in boosting the safety, satisfaction, and overall experience of participants. We will explore a carefully selected set of essential questions that are designed to gauge participants' readiness, address health and safety concerns, and set clear expectations. These questions are invaluable tools for trip leaders, helping them to customize activities to meet the group's needs, minimize risks, and create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Through real-life case studies and actionable advice, attendees will discover how to seamlessly weave these powerful questions into their pre-trip planning efforts, guaranteeing that every outdoor adventure is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. Attend this session to uncover how straightforward yet impactful questions can transform your approach to outdoor leadership, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of your programs.

Join peers for engaging and information conversations, and hear how like-organizations manage similar challenges. Hosted by WRMC Steering Committee members, topics are provided and volunteers facilitate small group discussions. The goal is to provide a venue for conference attendees to connect and network, and share similar challenges and ideas to help improve their programs.

Wrap up the conference with unstructured netwokring. Cash bar event, followed by Keynote Dinner and Presentation! *Keynote Dinner is included for all attendees.

Emily Ford is a winter adventurer and thru-hiker based in Duluth, Minnesota. She has completed many thru-hikes in the midwest including the 1,200 mile Ice age trail, which crosses Wisconsin east to west from Potawatomi State Park to St. Croix State Park on the Minnesota border. Also, in the winter of 2022 she completed a solo 180-mile ski route across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness with her Alaskan Husky, Diggins. She now spends her winters running sled dogs in Alaska. With an understanding and drive to show that anyone can adventure and everyone deserves to discover the outdoors, regardless of race, gender identity, or upbringing, she continues to seek adventure and represent the underrepresented in outdoor spaces.