2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Main Conference: Tuesday October 20 - Thursday, October 22, 2026

Preconference: Monday October 19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026

*Schedule subject to change.

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7:00am PDT

Breakfast (Meal Plan only)

Thursday October 22, 2026 7:00am - 8:30am PDT

Ballroom

Thursday October 22, 2026 7:00am - 8:30am PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Meal

8:30am PDT

NOLS Crisis Case Study

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Multnomah

Responding to a crisis, such as a participant fatality, is complex. It can also be stressful and chaotic. A crisis has the potential to overwhelm an organization's staff and resources, threatening the ability to run programs in the short or long-term. Having a response plan in place that addresses foreseeable needs allows the people in your organization to focus on inevitable surprises and lays the foundation for a thorough and compassionate response. This workshop will provide a starting point for creating or refining a crisis management plan, with a focus on the administrative response versus the in-field actions. We will use a NOLS case study to illustrate one approach to crisis planning, and will also identify potential modifications for smaller organizations.

Speakers

Katie Baum Mettenbrink

Risk Management Director, NOLS

Katie has worked in outdoor education since 1999. Today she is the risk management director at NOLS. Over two decades, she has held a variety of administrative roles at NOLS, chaired the WRMC Steering Committee, co-authored Risk Management for Outdoor Leaders, and spent more than... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Multnomah 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Emergency Planning & Crisis Response, Breakout Session

8:30am PDT

The Poop Panel: Health, Hygiene, and Habitats when “Human Waste” Happens

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Clackamas

Everyone poops – but in the field, how we manage it can have real consequences for participant and ecosystem health, group dynamics, and organizational risk.

This candid, practical panel brings together experts in field protocols, wilderness medicine, youth program design and implementation, land management, and both wilderness and global travel programs to explore the challenges of human waste in field settings.

Panelists will use real-world scenarios (some routine, some messy) to examine gastrointestinal illness prevention and management, human waste disposal, outbreak response, Leave No Trace considerations, and public lands regulations. Panelists will also share a variety of approaches to communicating about poop that foster a positive risk management culture with participants and field staff. We will address youth-specific challenges (e.g., “poop avoidance”) and inclusion (e.g., pre-existing health issues, cultural sensitivity, gender dynamics).

Attendees will leave with (1) actionable frameworks for prevention, decision-making, and incident response, (2) an up-to-date understanding of wilderness medicine protocols for assessment and treatment of gastrointestinal illnesses, and (3) practical tools for teaching, normalizing, and managing one of the most universal (and operationally complex) aspects of outdoor programs.

Speakers

José González

Faculty, NOLS

José H. González Sanders, Ed.D., is Director and Chair of Experiential Education at The Overlake School, leading outdoor, global, and service learning programs. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in risk management systems, safety science, and international program... Read More →

Paul Dreyer

Strategy Associate, Where There Be Dragons

Paul Dreyer (he/him) has worked throughout the world as a facilitator, presenter, curriculum designer, coach, expeditionary leader, RM consultant, and remote medicine instructor. After years as CEO of Avid4 Adventure, Paul became a consultant supporting multiple organizations, including... Read More →

Neal Fox

Founder and Executive Director, Sierra STEM

Dr. Neal Fox (he/him) is the Founder and Executive Director of Sierra STEM, an outdoor education and science enrichment nonprofit in California’s Eastern Sierra. Neal earned his PhD from Brown University and spent 12 years as a researcher and teacher before moving to the mountains... Read More →

Nadia Kimmel

CEO, Desert Mountain Medicine

Nadia serves as an instructor, curriculum writer, and founding member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative. Nadia holds an MS from Northern Arizona University, where her research examined backcountry human waste disposal and fecal bacteria in Southwest ecosystems. Her... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

8:30am PDT

A flash flood, a fatality, a lawsuit. A case study in critical incident response and preparing to successfully defend a lawsuit.

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Weyerhaeuser

Join outdoor recreation attorney Leah Corrigan for a candid discussion of a river fatality in Grand Canyon on a commercial river trip. We will delve into risk management strategies that ultimately led to a favorable result in litigation. From risk management preparedness to immediate response and litigation, the session will explore tangible takeaways for managers and outdoor professionals.

Speakers

Leah Corrigan

Managing Attorney, Recreation Law Group

Leah Corrigan is the Managing Attorney of Recreation Law Group, a legal and risk management firm that advises and defends a wide variety of outdoor recreation businesses. Leah is an experienced litigator who has represented outdoor industry clients in serious personal injury matters... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Legal & Insurance, Breakout Session

8:30am PDT

Positive Masculinity: A Relational Approach to Managing Behavioral Risks with Boys & Young Men

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Washington

Current research suggests that boys and young men are experiencing increased rates of online gender bias socialization, behavioral dysregulation, and a lack of prosocial skill development. They need experiential programs more than ever. Yet, mental health challenges, social isolation, rampant misogyny, and the lure of the harmful version of masculinity found in the “manosphere” all present formidable challenges to educators working to create healthy group cultures in their programs. We are left with this paradox: how do we mitigate the social challenges young men bring with them into our programs while also nurturing and supporting them to be the best version of themselves? In this workshop, we will explore common sources of male socialization, the role of edgy humor amongst groups of boys, and discuss accountability processes that will allow young men to feel supported while also being held to high expectations. Ultimately, participants will leave with strategies, approaches, and tools to manage the risk potential young men bring towards themselves and others in experiential programs.

Speakers

John Harnetiaux

Upper School Dean of Students | NOLS Instructor, Catlin Gabel School

John Harnetiaux: John is the Dean of Students at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, OR, and is a NOLS field instructor. He was also the Operations Manager for NOLS Pacific Northwest, director of outdoor programs at Eastern Washington University, and director of outdoor and global education... Read More →

Kip Ioane

Founder and Lead Facilitator | Head Basketball Coach at South Salem High School, Teams of Men

Kip Ioane is the founder and lead facilitator of TeamsOfMen and head boys basketball coach at South Salem High School in Salem, Oregon. A longtime educator and coach, he works with schools, athletic programs, and parents to help young men build emotional fluency, accountability, and... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Washington 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Mental Social & Emotional Health, Breakout Session

8:30am PDT

Creating Influence as a Safety Leader

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Clark

Safety leaders in outdoor programs are often accountable for safety outcomes, yet they have little positional authority to direct decisions or set organizational priorities. This is a structural challenge, not a personal one, and it's commonly faced by risk managers, program directors, and anyone who wears a safety leadership hat as part of their role.

Speakers

Stuart Slay

Independent Risk Advisor, Slay Risk LLC

Stuart Slay is Director of Slay Risk, a safety leadership consultancy and coaching practice for outdoor programs and schools. Stuart previously led risk management at the SCA and spent a decade directing an outdoor education program at an international school in South Korea. His background... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Clark 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Program Administration, Breakout Session

10:00am PDT

Snack Break & Exhibitor Hall Open

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT

Ballroom

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Meal

10:30am PDT

Bystander Intervention Tools for Outdoor Trips & Adventures

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Washington

Abuse, bullying, harassment, coercive dynamics, and harmful group behavior do not disappear in wilderness settings. In many cases, isolation, fatigue, hierarchy, and tight-knit outdoor communities make these dynamics harder to name and riskier to interrupt. This session begins by examining the context in which harm occurs, including power, identity, social cohesion, and the small-community dynamics that often shape silence.

From there, participants are introduced to a structured Intervention Ecosystem that clarifies when and how to intervene across the full spectrum. We move from pre-trip norm setting and prevention, to in-the-moment responses with friends or teammates, to responding when witnessing potential domestic violence or escalating harm on the trail, and finally to leadership accountability and culture-level follow-through.

Rather than offering vague encouragement to “speak up,” this session provides practical decision frameworks and field-ready tools that help outdoor professionals interrupt harm without escalating risk or compounding shame.

Participants leave with clearer thresholds, concrete language, and strategies to strengthen accountability while protecting both individuals and group integrity.

Speakers

Oeishi Banajeer

Behavioral Health Systems & Policy Architect,, Grove Institute

Oeishi Banerjee is the behavioral health policy and system architect at Grove Institute. With a background in technology and psychology, she is currently pursuing a master's degree at Dartmouth, focusing on the intersection of the environment and business. At Grove, she supports the... Read More →

Kallie Kurtz

Designer & Lead Clinician, Grove Institute

Kallie Kurtz, LCSW, is the Clinical Director at Grove Institute, specializing in the intersection of behavioral health and the outdoors. She develops innovative therapy models, such as Bilateral Kinetic Processing, and specializes in trauma, ADHD, and crisis response her work spans... Read More →

Fartun Osman

Behavioral Health Catalyst, Grove Institute

Fartun Osman is a behavioral health catalyst with Grove Institute and a special education teacher at an alternative school in Portland, OR. Having moved to Portland as a Somali refugee from Kenya at a young age, Fartun is an active member of the outdoor community and Diversify Whitewater... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Washington 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Emergency Planning & Crisis Response, Breakout Session

10:30am PDT

Have You Got It Covered? Insurance 101 - The Basics

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Weyerhaeuser

In part one of the presentation participants will learn the basics of securing an adequate insurance program for an outdoor organization. Topics will include conducting a risk assessment and navigating a claim, as well as reviewing the fundamentals of the most important insurance policies: General Liability, Auto, Workers Compensation, Umbrella, D&O, Employment Practices, Crime, Cyber, Property and other miscellaneous policies. Are you confident your insurance policies are properly protecting your organization's assets and reputation? Do you understand what is required of you, the insured, to trigger coverage. In part two the presenters will facilitate several case studies to help participants understand how to navigate several different types of insurance claims.

Speakers

Sam Daume

Senior Vice President, Fred C. Church Insurance

Lach Zemp

Risk Management Council, Outward Bound

Lach (pronounced “Lash”) serves as Risk Management Counsel at Outward Bound, overseeing a range of risk management issues and claims for the Outward Bound Schools. Before joining Outward Bound, Lach practiced law for 30 years defending clients, including summer camps and employers... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Legal & Insurance, Breakout Session

10:30am PDT

Beyond the Incident: Buildling Sustainable Mental Health Support in the Outdoor Industry

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Multnomah

This interactive workshop explores how outdoor organizations can better support staff mental health beyond immediate incident response. Drawing on experiences from SOAR and lessons learned from peer support groups for outdoor trauma, participants will examine both the challenges and opportunities of providing mid- to long-term care in a field shaped by isolation, seasonality, and high-performance expectations.

Speakers

Jenny Fiebig

Board Member, SOAR

Jenny now works with SOAR, supporting individuals and communities impacted by outdoor-related trauma through peer support and connection-centered approaches. Since 2015, Jenny has practiced Internal Family Systems (IFS), integrating its focus on understanding all parts of the sel... Read More →

Em Ledingham

Board Member, SOAR

Em Ledingham: Em Ledingham is a NOLS instructor, IFS practitioner, and SOAR Board Member.

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Multnomah 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Mental Social & Emotional Health, Breakout Session

10:30am PDT

Outdoor Classrooms In Transition; Navigating the Risks of a Changing Federal Landscape

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Clark

In the turbulent period since January 2025, agency management of the public lands and waters that serve as our outdoor classrooms has changed, and more changes are in the works. A few of these changes will create new opportunities for outdoor programs. However, most of these changes will shatter management norms that have existed on public lands for many years. In their place, the Administration will establish new norms that prioritize mining, logging, and energy development, and increase access for motorized vehicles. Inevitably, this shift will impact outdoor programs that take place on public lands, as extractive activities and motorized use become visible in areas where we have historically provided programming or conservation work. This session will update previous presentations on the agency policy changes currently underway and consider how these changes will impact the risk profile and program effectiveness of outdoor programming that makes use of nearby landscapes. After we have laid out the current state of public lands, we will shift into a discussion of how to apply risk management models to proactively assess these dynamic risks and allocate resources accordingly, and invite participants to apply these models to their own organizational situations and programs.

Speakers

Paul Sanford

Director of Equitable Access Policy, The Wilderness Society

Steve Smith

Founder and Lead Consultant, Experiential Consulting, LLC

Steve Smith has worked in the outdoor industry for over thirty years, including leadership roles in the field, in the office, in the board room, and in national conferences, specializing in risk management. Since founding Experiential Consulting in 2008, the team at EC has worked... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Clark 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Program Administration, Breakout Session

10:30am PDT

Beyond Imparting Knowledge: Mentorship That Builds Self-Awareness and Empowerment CORE

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Clackamas

Mentorship goes beyond imparting knowledge. It is about helping emerging leaders grow confident in their decision-making, develop sound judgment, and gain a deeper understanding of their own capabilities and limits so they can lead others safely and effectively.

Self-awareness and empowerment are often viewed as natural by-products of gaining experience and learning new skills. But what if we challenged that notion? What if we treated them not as benevolent outcomes, but as concrete skills we can actively train and strengthen.

In this workshop, we will explore practical techniques for mentoring with intention focusing specifically on how to cultivate self-awareness and empowerment as core leadership skills in the outdoor leaders you mentor.

Speakers

Rumi Kodama

Paramedic - Instructor/Preceptor & Outdoor Professional, Unaffiliated

Rumi works as a paramedic in BC with roots in the outdoor/wilderness therapy industry for over 25 years including: YMCA, BC Conservation Corps, NOLS, Outward Bound Canada, and Alaska Crossings. Mentoring others has become a prominent role allowing her to develop and iterate new... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Staff Training & Decision Making, Breakout Session

12:00pm PDT

Lunch (all attendees)

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Ballroom

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Meal

1:30pm PDT

Tell Your Risk Management Story: How to Better Share Incidents From the Field to Sharpen Your Skills, Strengthen Learning Outcomes, and Enhance Your Career

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Weyerhaeuser

When you work in the field long enough, you soon find yourself with a catalog of stories to tell at happy hour, or around the campfire, about the incidents and near misses you’ve experienced in your career. These stories can be challenging to share, or quite exciting and fun. The presenters of this workshop will argue that storytelling is a skill that can be developed, and is a skill that has immense value for guides and educators who both manage risk in the wilderness setting, and teach others to develop their own risk management practices. First, this workshop will give participants an opportunity to “tell” a personal risk management story. Then, attendees will receive some guiding frameworks on how to increase the impact of their story based on the goal of sharing their story, and the venue in which the story is shared. The discussion will prompt weaving the story into their debrief practices, lesson plans, and job interviews. This workshop will be of value for all attendees, but may be of particular utility for earlier career field professionals looking to reflect and speak to recent incidents in their developing career.

Speakers

Matt Leslie

Associate Director, Custom Education, NOLS

Matt Leslie is the Associate Director of Business Development for NOLS Custom Education, helping bring the NOLS curriculum and experiential learning to their wide-ranging partner organizations. Matt is also a senior field instructor for NOLS, leading backpacking, rock climbing, and... Read More →

Zach Taylor

Senior Field Instructor, NOLS

Zach Taylor (he/him) is a NOLS field and wilderness medicine instructor with 7 years leading wilderness expeditions across North America. In addition to field work, Zach has become increasingly passionate about the intentional development of new field instructors — serving on NOLS... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

1:30pm PDT

Strategic Communication: Mastering the Art of Challenging Conversation and De-escalation

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Washington

This session offers a comprehensive look at the strategies and skills necessary for mastering challenging conversations and effectively managing conflict. Beginning with self-regulation techniques that focus on maintaining composure and mental clarity under pressure we will then build on that foundation and examine how to use empathy and strategic, non-threatening language to redirect difficult behavior, setting the stage for positive outcomes. Participants will learn a range of de-escalation strategies, from foundational active listening and rapport-building to higher-level techniques for early intervention. Whether you are new to these concepts or looking to refine your existing skills, you will leave this session with a clear framework for preventing escalation and turning difficult encounters into productive dialogues.

Speakers

Jenn Layman

Chief Partnership & Strategy Officer, American Conservation Experience

Jenn Layman brings over 20 years of youth development, conservation, and partnership experience to the role of Chief Partnership & Strategy Office at American Conservation Experience (ACE). She is passionate about systematically dismantling barriers to participation and enjoyment... Read More →

Karen Pick

National Director of Program Safety, American Conservation Experience

With over 30 years of experience teaching, guiding, and mentoring in the outdoors, Karen Pick brings a wealth of expertise to her role as National Director of Program Safety at American Conservation Experience (ACE). Her work there merges her strong background in risk management with... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Washington 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Mental Social & Emotional Health, Breakout Session

1:30pm PDT

Hire Better: Discussing An Outdoor Education Hiring Norm

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Multnomah

Many employers hire new staff at the base of their organizational framework, with more advanced roles being filled by internal applicants. We will discuss pros and cons of this practice, strategies for applicants to better present their experience when applying for leadership roles, how administrators can be more open to skilled external applicants, and ways to support your own staff in carrying their value forward when they go somewhere other than your organization.

Speakers

Lucas Wade

Wilderness Risk Director, Camp Manito-wish YMCA.

Lucas Wade is the Wilderness Risk Director at Camp Manito-wish YMCA in Wisconsin, where he supports more than 200 staff each summer in leading trips 3-45 days in length all across North America.

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Multnomah 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Program Administration, Breakout Session

1:30pm PDT

Self-Reliance in the Age of Field Technology: What We’ve Gained, What We’ve Lost, and What We Choose

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Clark

Over the last few decades, field technology has developed alongside evolving expectations of safety and communication among our clients and participants. How has this also influenced our sense of self-reliance and our ability to make sound decisions in the field independently? Join us for a discussion on how these changes have influenced our industry and our sense of self-reliance, what we might want to reinvigorate among staff working in remote environments, and what outdated ideas perhaps no longer serve us or our clients?

Speakers

Nancy Crane

Director of Outings Safety, Sierra Club

Nancy Crane is an outdoor education and safety leader with over 25 years of experience guiding program operations, safety systems, and leadership development. She currently serves as Director of Outings Safety at Sierra Club and previously held leadership roles with First Descents... Read More →

Doug Sandok

Outings Program Safety Manager, Sierra Club

Doug Sandok has been active in the outdoor and travel industries as a professional mountain guide, instructor, program director and risk manager for almost 40 years. He has held risk management positions with Where There Be Dragons, The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, REI Experiences... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Clark 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Staff Training & Decision Making, Breakout Session

1:30pm PDT

The Sociology of Risk: Identity and Meaning in the Wilderness

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Clackamas

The “FACETS” acronym is a widely used tool designed to help wilderness professionals avoid falling into heuristic traps. Yet accidents persist, even among highly experienced guides. Rather than treating these incidents as lapses of judgement, workshop participants will consider the following questions: What kind of person did this decision allow me to be at that moment? Which identities were being performed, protected, or threatened? What actions were or weren’t available given those identity commitments?
Drawing on sociological theory, this workshop reframes risk as not simply a question of rational decision making, but as questions of meaning and identity. Heuristics are not just cognitive shortcuts, but are socially patterned, emerging through training, organizational culture, and cultural norms. Risk perception is not merely individual, but produced through group dynamics, communication, and organizational culture.
Participants will examine how situational pressures and organizational expectations shape judgment. Through guided reflection and discussion, they will interrogate their own decision-making patterns and consider how “good judgment” is produced and constrained by identity.

Speakers

Elan Rochell-Share

PhD Student in Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder

Elan Rochell-Share is a Ph.D. student in Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder and an experienced wilderness guide. While his dissertation focuses on the cultural frameworks shaping mental health practitioners, he has spent recent years applying sociological and organizational... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Staff Training & Decision Making, Breakout Session

2:30pm PDT

Snack Break & Exhibitor Hall Open

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Ballroom

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Meal

3:00pm PDT

Navigating Critical Incident Stress: Support Strategies Before, During, and After the Event

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Washington

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of resilience, wellness, and stress management resources? It’s time to de-mystify the toolkit. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a comprehensive body of knowledge offering practical skills to support groups and individuals throughout the entire lifecycle of an incident. In this interactive session, we move beyond the buzzwords to provide a clear framework for the "Before, During, and After" phases of a crisis. Participants will explore the strengths and challenges of various support models—from building stress immunity to implementing field-ready peer support. You will leave with a set of versatile Quick-Reference Guides and learning activities designed for immediate application within your organization, regardless of your leadership level or technical background.

Speakers

Katjarina "Katja" Hurt

Director, Wilderness Chaplains

Katja is a Learning Strategies Manager for Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families and a Master-Level Trainer. A 19-year ski patroller, EMT, and mountaineer, she brings extensive field experience as a Seattle Mountain Rescue Resilience Team member and volunteer... Read More →

Brian Linacre

Member, Tacoma Mountain Rescue

Brian is a career paramedic-firefighter and Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) member with the Hoquiam Fire Department in Washington. With a lifetime of urban and wildland emergency response experience, he serves as a dedicated volunteer with Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Pierce County... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Washington 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Emergency Planning & Crisis Response, Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Wilderness Medicine: What’s New and Evolving CORE

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Clackamas

Join us for an update on what’s new in the field of wilderness medicine. We’ll explore evolving practices and revisit outdated ones, with topics ranging from epinephrine administration and naloxone to blisters and tourniquet use. Refresh your skills and leave with the most up-to-date information currently being taught at NOLS Wilderness Medicine.

Speakers

Robin Larson

Wilderness Medicine Education Director, NOLS

Graham Prather

Wilderness Medicine Education Manager, NOLS

Graham Prather is the Education Manager at NOLS Wilderness Medicine. He has over two decades of experience in experiential education and holds an MS in Experiential Education and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) and mental... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

“We are Ready to Swear-in the Witness” – How Your Marketing and Policies Show Up in Litigation - A Deposition Simulation: Anne Jones v. ABC River Guides

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Clark

ABC River Guides has been sued in a personal injury action after Anne Jones fell out of an overturned raft, hitting her head on a rock after her helmet fell off due to an allegedly faulty buckle. Now, Bill Brown, owner/operator of ABC will give a deposition in the case. Listen in as ABC"s lawyer prepared Mr. Brown for his deposition, then watch a true-to-life simulation of the deposition with a debrief and Q&A to follow. Allegations/issues in the case include: insufficient informed consent, understated risk of activity, overstated training of personnel, improperly maintained/damaged safety equipment, failure to follow policies and procedures for equipment maintenance, delay in emergency medical response.

Speakers

Ben Scott

Partner, Butler Snow LLP

Ben is a partner with Butler Snow LLP in Memphis, Tennessee. His law practice focuses on civil defense litigation, including product liability, personal injury, premises liability, employment, and medical professional liability. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ben is a... Read More →

Doug Stevens

Attorney, Caplan & Ernest, LLC

Lach Zemp

Risk Management Council, Outward Bound

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Clark 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Legal & Insurance, Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

The Information Gap: Using AI to Deliver the Right Answers at the Right Time in Outdoor Programs

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Weyerhaeuser

Most preventable issues in outdoor programs don’t start in the field—they start with missing, unclear, or inaccessible information. Participants arrive underprepared, families misunderstand expectations, and staff spend valuable time filling gaps instead of focusing on leadership and safety.

Speakers

Michael Nesbitt

Owner/Managing Director, Naturalists at Large

Mike is an owner of Naturalists at Large and has worked in outdoor education for over 25 years. With a background in adventure education and natural history, he has spent his career with Naturalists at Large, contributing in roles ranging from field instruction and program development... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Program Administration, Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Short-Talk Series

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Multnomah

The short-talk series will have four presentations (of 18 minutes each) in this rapid-fire Ted Talk-style format!

Closing the Coverage Gap: Participant Accident Insurance | Bill Smer
This session educates wilderness and outdoor risk professionals on how Participant Accident insurance strengthens overall risk management. It explores common injury scenarios, explains where General Liability coverage falls short, and highlights how Participant Accident helps address medical expenses quickly and regardless of fault. Using real‑world wilderness program examples, attendees gain practical insight into how this coverage supports participant care, reduces post‑incident conflict, and complements existing insurance and safety practices—without replacing them.

Belonging on the Border: Accessibility and Inclusivity in the Arizona-Sonora binational Sky Islands | Katherine Gaia Barbaree, Xochitl Lopez, Karla Hernandez
The borderlands of the US Southwest are a highly politicized, racialized, and an increasingly militarized zone. How do we foster an environment of inclusivity and belonging that feels accessible and inclusive to those historically excluded from outdoor recreation and wilderness spaces? In this short talk, participants will hear how one organization–Borderlands Restoration Network–develops and facilitates educational programs that transcend historical lines of who does and does not belong on public lands and outdoor spaces. In the mountainous Sky Island region of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands, our education programs attempt to create and foster an environment of accessibility and inclusivity, amidst a backdrop of larger, dominating narrative that supports anything but.

Risk Reduction PechaKucha: Soft Skills or Bust! | Andrea Kane
A Short Talk in Three Acts Conveying Top Secret Soft-Skills-for-Risk-Reduction Tricks Learned Through 26 Years of Teaching Wilderness Emergency Medicine

Crossing Borders: Managing Immigration Risk for International Student Travel | José González
International student travel has become increasingly complex due to evolving immigration policies, border enforcement practices, and documentation requirements. Outdoor programs and schools now face additional risks when students cross international borders, particularly when participants hold different citizenship statuses or visas.The session will examine emerging risk factors, including customs searches of electronic devices, changing travel restrictions, documentation requirements for minors, and procedures if a student is detained or delayed at a border crossing.Participants will leave with practical tools including a border-crossing documentation checklist, staff preparation guidance, and communication protocols for responding to immigration-related incidents. This session is designed for organizations running international programs in destinations where border processes can create operational risk.

Speakers

Katherine Gaia Barbaree

Education Program Director, Borderlands Restoration Network

Katherine has over two decades of experience building resilience at the intersection of community, ecology, and education. She credits her life-long love affair with arid mountain landscapes to her eastern Mediterranean ancestry, as well as formative experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer... Read More →

Xochitl Lopez

Environmental Field Coordinator, Borderlands Restoration Network

Xochitl (she/her/ella) was born and raised in Oxnard, California. Xochitl is a proud first-generation college graduate and the daughter of Ñuu Savi (Mixtec) migrants and has a background in youth organizing, environmental and recreational planning, education, and hospitality. One... Read More →

Bill Smer

National Sales Director, The Hartford

Bill Smer is National Sales Director for Accident & Health at The Hartford, supporting organizations with specialized insurance solutions since 2022. With over 20 years of experience in accident and health insurance sales, Bill brings deep expertise in risk management for outdoor... Read More →

Andrea Kane

Since 1999 Andrea Kane has taught for SOLO, teaching individuals how to respond to emergencies with limited resources. She led outdoor trips for many years, was Director of Outdoor Pursuits at Simon’s Rock College, ran the UVM Adventure Ropes Course, built and paddled kayaks for... Read More →

José González

Faculty, NOLS

Karla Hernandez

Field Coordinator, Borderlands Restoration Network

Karla, born and raised in Nogales, is shaped by the bicultural richness of the border region. She has a deep love for the desert, mountains, oceans, and the life that connects them all. Drawing on interpretive ranger experience from multiple public land sites and environmental education... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Multnomah 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Short-Talk Series, Breakout Session

4:45pm PDT

Keynote Address with Erick Cedeño | The Most Overlooked Expedition in American Outdoor History: Retracing the 1897 Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps Expedition

Thursday October 22, 2026 4:45pm - 6:00pm PDT

Ballroom

This keynote centers on the story of the Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps and examines why one of the most ambitious expeditions in U.S. history remains largely unknown. It explores how narratives of exploration are shaped, who gets remembered, and how that influences participation and belonging in outdoor spaces today. Through retracing this journey, Erick reflects on the role of storytelling in outdoor leadership, the importance of representation, and how revisiting overlooked histories can expand how we think about exploration, risk, and who the outdoors is for.

Speakers

Erick Cedeño

Erick Cedeño was born in Panama City and raised in Miami. He graduated from Bethune-Cookman University. His philosophy is to explore everything. He has set out to do just that but on two wheels. After a bicycle tour from Vancouver to Tijuana, he traveled from Miami Beach to New York... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 4:45pm - 6:00pm PDT
Ballroom 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Networking Event, General Session