Wilderness First Responder
Wilderness Medicine Training to Prepare Outdoor Professionals and Enthusiasts for Medical Emergencies Wherever Your Adventures Take YouThe Best WFR course venue in the Midwest
Enrolling in a Wilderness First Responder certification at Hoofbeat Ridge in Mazomanie is a special experience for three reasons:
Everything is provided, at one convenient campus. No cooking or commuting! You won’t need to drive anywhere, unless you want to explore the great nearby hikes and villages.
We hand-pick instructors and hosts who provide top-shelf service to set you up for a successful certification.
Our rural campus is surrounded by the fields and forests outdoor lovers enjoy. We think you’ll agree the setting is perfect.
| Course | Days | Upcoming Dates | Enrollment Deadline | Price | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFR Recert | 3 | 11/29/24 - 12/01/24 | 11/17/24 | $625 | Enroll |
| WFR Recert | 3 | 01/04/25 - 01/06/25 | 12/24/24 | $625 | Enroll |
| WFR Recert | 3 | 03/16/25 - 03/18/25 | 03/04/25 | $625 | Enroll |
| WFR Recert | 3 | 03/21/25 - 03/25/25 | 03/09/25 | $625 | Enroll |
| WFR Recert | 3 | 05/19/25 - 05/21/25 | 05/07/25 | $625 | Enroll |
| WFR Recert | 3 | 05/24/25 - 05/26/25 | 05/10/25 | $625 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 11/27/24 - 12/01/24 | 11/17/24 | $1,100 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 01/02/25 - 01/06/25 | 12/24/24 | $1,100 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 03/14/25 - 03/18/25 | 03/02/25 | $1,100 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 03/19/25 - 03/23/25 | 03/07/25 | $1,100 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 05/17/25 - 05/21/25 | 05/05/25 | $1,100 | Enroll |
| Wilderness First Responder | 5 | 05/22/25 - 05/26/25 | 05/10/25 | $1,100 | Enroll |
For more information, see our WFR Frequently Asked Questions.
Upcoming Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course Dates
Bunkhouse accommodations & hot, homemade meals included for all course dates. Our students consistently compliment the menu and food quality.
“The venue was fantastic - great scenery and great food!”
”The food at Hoofbeat Ridge is amazing! They are wonderful hosts.”
”The people and the food were the best parts of the course. I don’t have a worst part!”
On-site van or vehicle camping also available for those who prefer to sleep separately, but tent camping is not permitted. Students need not stay on campus, but we do not offer a "commuter" price option.
Three delicious, hot, homemade meals daily. We are not responsible for you going home heavier!
5-Day Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
$1,100/person ($250 deposit to enroll)
Room & Board Included
Course Overview
Typically completed in an 8-day format, the alternative 5-day Wilderness First Responder format requires students to undertake an increased amount of reading and homework prior to the classroom portion of the course. In exchange, students complete the course in much less time, making it easier for those with busy schedules to attend. For complete curriculum details, please see the Wilderness Medical Associates website.
EXPERIENCE
Before arriving at the course, students complete pre-course reading, study guide, and exam to prepare for the accelerated pace of this 5-Day format (estimated 25 hours prep time). You can expect full, interesting, and intense days. Plan on arriving at the course well rested and prepared to focus completely on the material. Full course attendance is required.
Wilderness First Responder is a level of medical certification that carries substantial responsibility. To fully prepare you, we use realistic simulations requiring patient examination and treatment employing simulated wounds and blood. While we recognize this can be uncomfortable for some people, it is important to developing the confidence and competence that you would expect of a medical professional.
Course Tuition Includes
• All course materials & instruction
• Bunk-style accommodations (or vehicle camping)
• Nutritional, homemade, family-style meals. We can accommodate most, but not all, dietary preferences and needs.
“I literally cannot say enough amazing things about them. Their dynamic together was unstoppable and they were both incredible instructors. As an educator myself, I can be picky about instructors. They blew my expectations out of the water and I would hope to recert with both of them in the future.”
Course Venue
Hoofbeat Ridge is an equine training center for kids high in the hills above Mazomanie, WI, about 25 miles west of Madison. This family-run retreat provides bunk-style accommodations and prides themselves on nourishing, healthy home-cooked meals, served family-style. The rolling hills surrounding the property are fantastic for wilderness medical scenarios as well as hiking in your free time.
Enrollment
$250 deposit required to register. You may register online (see below) or send a deposit check for $250 to our mailing address (see footer below). Full payment is due 45 days before the course start date. You must enroll no less than 10 days prior to the course’s start date.
Enrollment is first-come, first served. As soon as we receive your course deposit or full payment, we will confirm your enrollment, send course details and request your student information.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Open Recertification
$625/Person ($150 deposit to enroll)
Room & Board Included
Course Overview
The Open Recertification course is open to graduates of all wilderness medical training courses of 64 hours or longer with a current, valid Wilderness First Responder certification. This is an accelerated course, and pre-course study preparation is essential to successful completion. Simply attending does not guarantee that you will be receive recertification.
Successful graduates of this course will receive Wilderness Medical Associates’ Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-level CPR certifications. WMA WEMT graduates with a current EMT-B or Paramedic certificate may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMT with this course. For complete curriculum details, please see the Wilderness Medical Associates website.
“I’ve taken my WFR several times with other organizations & that was hands down the best one I’ve had. Amy was freaking awesome, Hoofbeat ridge was amazing & I’m walking away with more confidence now than I ever have as a WFR”
EXPERIENCE
Before arriving at the course, students will complete pre-course reading, study guide, and exam to prepare for the course experience (estimated 8 hours prep time). Recertification is a 24-hour course presented over three days. Typically, mornings are devoted to lectures, discussions and quizzes, with afternoons devoted to outdoor practical skills and scenarios. Evenings are reserved for study and assignments. Expect rescue scenarios with made-up victims and simulated wounds to prepare you for backcountry emergencies. Sessions may be videotaped for enhanced learning.
*Many of our WFR recertification courses are integrated with the last three days of our 5-day WFR courses. We understand it can be difficult to join a group that has already spent a few days together. However, WMAI’s instructors are accustomed to teaching these combined courses and work hard to create a seamless experience. In addition, running these courses together significantly reduces the likelihood that we have to cancel your course due to low enrollment.
Day 1: Introduction/Registration; Review Study Packet, Patient Assessment System, Basic Life Support (including Healthcare Provider-level CPR), Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Nervous System, Lifts, Moves and Extrications, PAS Drills
Day 2: Musculoskeletal, Dislocations, Spine Management, Wounds and Burns, PAS Drills, Splints I - Extremities, Splints II - Spines, Simulation
Day 3: Allergies and Anaphylaxis, Environmental Injuries, PAS Drills, Simulation, Final Testing, Conclusion
INCLUDES
All course materials and instruction are included with tuition, as well as bunkhouse accommodations and home-cooked meals.
LOCATION
Hoofbeat Ridge is an equine training center for kids high in the hills above Mazomanie, WI, about 25 miles west of Madison. This family-run retreat provides bunk-style accommodations and prides themselves on nourishing, healthy home-cooked meals, served family-style. The rolling hills surrounding the property are fantastic for wilderness medical scenarios as well as hiking in your free time.
LODGING
Three nights of bunk-style lodging (male and female dorms) with heat, bathrooms and showers are included, starting the night prior to the course.
ENROLLMENT
Tuition is $625. A $150 deposit reserves your place in the course. Full payment is due 45 days before course begins.
To enroll, you may register online (at right/below) or send a $150 deposit check to our office (please notify us).
Enrollment is first-come, first served. As soon as we receive your course deposit or full payment, we will confirm your enrollment and send course details.