Introduction
Sponsors are the backbone of our courses and work in partnership with the WMTC office, WMTC Licensed Providers, the course instructors, and the students. Sponsoring a course allows you to offer training to your students or staff at a reduced cost during dates that work best for your organization. It also provides an opportunity to generate revenue. WMTC courses can be taught on college campuses, outfitter facilities and even on expeditions (river, remote basecamps, etc.). If you have the capacity to offer your course for college credit, students often see may see even more value in their training. We have developed a reputation for both flexibility and excellence in adapting our course curriculum to unique sites. All WMTC courses are contracted with Licensed Providers, which are independent companies owned and operated by certified WMTC instructors licensed to deliver WMTC curriculum and certifications.
This page is designed to give new sponsors an idea of the process, the responsibilities, and how to get started. There's a lot to take in when sponsoring a course for the first time. We are here to support you every step of the way!
Sponsors are the backbone of our courses and work in partnership with the WMTC office, WMTC Licensed Providers, the course instructors, and the students. Sponsoring a course allows you to offer training to your students or staff at a reduced cost during dates that work best for your organization. It also provides an opportunity to generate revenue. WMTC courses can be taught on college campuses, outfitter facilities and even on expeditions (river, remote basecamps, etc.). If you have the capacity to offer your course for college credit, students often see may see even more value in their training. We have developed a reputation for both flexibility and excellence in adapting our course curriculum to unique sites. All WMTC courses are contracted with Licensed Providers, which are independent companies owned and operated by certified WMTC instructors licensed to deliver WMTC curriculum and certifications.
This page is designed to give new sponsors an idea of the process, the responsibilities, and how to get started. There's a lot to take in when sponsoring a course for the first time. We are here to support you every step of the way!
Getting Started
There are a few ways to explore and initiate the sponsoring process:
Keep reading to learn more about sponsoring a course.
There are a few ways to explore and initiate the sponsoring process:
- Complete our Inquiry Form. Upon receipt, our staff will contact you to discuss your course and options. We can then reach out to any WMTC Licensed Providers that would be a good fit for your course requirements and connect you.
- Email [email protected] with details about the course you'd like to sponsor: course type, location, dates, and any questions or special circumstances, then we'll get back to you and connect you with a Licensed Provider who has availability.
- You can also contact a WMTC Licensed Provider directly using the directory below. Feel free to reach out to the WMTC office anytime in the process and we will be in touch when it's time to set your course up in our system and advertise on our website.
Keep reading to learn more about sponsoring a course.
Choosing a Course Type & Format
You may already know exactly what course you'd like to sponsor. If you're still working through the decision, we're here to help.
Hybrid courses are part online and part in-person. Consider sponsoring a hybrid course:
Standard courses are all in-person. Consider sponsoring a standard course:
- Take a look at course descriptions to refresh on the purpose and intent of each course type.
- Take a look at the differences between standard and hybrid courses to learn more about the format of each.
Hybrid courses are part online and part in-person. Consider sponsoring a hybrid course:
- When students have discipline and the ability to grasp complex information without instructor input.
- If the students have enough time to complete the online work and testing. Timing is very important. Ideal and minimum time requirements for each hybrid course are listed below.
- Hybrid WFA & Recert - Ideal: 2 months, Minimum: 2 weeks
- Hybrid WAFA - Ideal: 3 months, Minimum: 3 weeks
- Hybrid WFR/WEMT - Ideal: 4-6 months, Minimum: 1 month
- When students have a limited time frame to attend an in-person session and adequate time to complete the online portion of the course.
- IMPORTANT: When comparing the number of days in a practical session to the number of days in a standard course, the online portion of a hybrid course will typically take MORE time, sometimes significantly more time, to complete than the difference in days may seem to indicate. For example, our standard WFA course is three days or roughly 26 hours (30 hours if Wilderness CPR/AED certification is included) while the in-person practical session of a hybrid WFA is two days or 18 hours (20 hours if Wilderness CPR/AED certification is included). A student completely new to first aid or pre-hospital medicine who registers for a hybrid WFA course can expect to spend 10+ hours studying in order to pass the online exams. If the student wants to fully grasp the material, they could spend 15 hours or more preparing for the practical session. In general, students can gain more complete mastery of the didactic material through a hybrid course than a standard course if they allocate the time to understand the material. The key to success in a hybrid course is for students to plan for significantly more study time and to stick to a predetermined study schedule. We have recommended study plans on each hybrid course website.
Standard courses are all in-person. Consider sponsoring a standard course:
- When minimal course preparation is preferred
- When bringing together either an unknown or diverse group of learners
- When the language the course is taught in is a second language for multiple students
- For students with who lack the tech resources, discipline, or academic ability for a hybrid course
- For students who are more likely to succeed with on-going instructor interaction
Sponsor Responsibilities
- Marketing your course(s). Avoid relying solely on public enrollment enrollment to fill a course. If you don't have enough in-house students or staff to meet the minimum contract enrollment, seek to partner with other agencies and use public enrollment to top-off your course. WMTC posts all courses on our website. Licensed Providers may also post your course on their outlets if it's open to the public. Local advertising and word-of-mouth helps a lot, especially if you plan ahead. To help reach your maximum enrollment, promote your course in as many of the following ways as possible:
- Instagram, Facebook, and other social media outlets - tag/mention WMTC in any relevant post (@wmtcinternational on Instagram and @WildernessMedicineTrainingCenter on Facebook), and we will share your post on our sites.
- In-house email and website posts
- Posters or flyers and announcements at local establishments (e.g. gear shops, climbing gyms, pubs - wherever you anticipate potential students may be, etc.)
- Email blasts to local contacts (e.g. heads of outdoor programs, summer camp coordinators, managers of guide services, former WMTC students, etc.)
- Local radio, TV, newspapers or blogs. Some outlets may be willing to schedule a visit to the course to video a skills lab or simulation and chat with students. You may even be able to get a copy of the video to help promote future courses.
- Managing enrollment and registration. While Sponsors may have internal systems for this (e.g. for academic courses), they are also responsible for managing registrations through our WMTC's registration system. This includes watching that enrollment doesn't exceed course maximums and that students get prompt confirmations of their registration and online access for hybrid courses. WMTC office staff will give each sponsor a thorough orientation to our system prior to registration opening. Details can be found on the Sponsor Resources page (for current Sponsors).
- Distributing course materials during Part 1 of a hybrid course.
- Communicating promptly, clearly, and effectively with students in the course, the WMTC Licensed Provider, the WMTC office and any other parties involved (e.g. people at the venue where the course will be held).
- Providing classroom & simulation sites and sponsor equipment. Requirements for this are outlined below. Sponsor equipment or facilities may be rented separately or negotiated with another organization for spaces in the course. For example, a sponsor may trade space in the course for classroom and simulation sites from a city, park, school, etc. They may also trade space in the course for required equipment borrowed from an outfitter, program, SAR unit, etc.
- Setting the price(s) and collecting payment. Public tuition must be within WMTC's public tuition range. Tuition for a sponsor's staff or students may be discounted from the public range. Sponsors may charge an additional fee for lodging, camping, and meals. Colleges and universities may charge an additional fee for credits. Specifics on tuition and fees for courses in the United States can be found here and on the Sponsor Resources page (for current Sponsors).
- Promptly paying the WMTC Licensed Provider the contracted deposit pre-course and contracted tuition once the course is complete. Licensed Providers will invoice sponsors according to their contract and course minimums after a course; this includes instructor expenses.
Requirements
Site, Classroom, & Equipment Requirements
Below are some examples of classroom setups using the equipment discussed above. Click on a photo to enlarge.
Site, Classroom, & Equipment Requirements
- Indoor classrooms should be large enough for students, desks or tables, chairs, and course gear. It should be a space with good lighting and shades for use of a projector for lectures for all standard courses and video debriefs for all WFR courses. Be sure to identify power sources for audio/visual equipment including extension cords.
- It should also be quiet with good acoustics. There should be enough restrooms to accommodate the class size nearby as well as a private space to change into simulation clothes (may also be in the restroom).
- The space should be large enough (or have additional space nearby) for indoor skills training if the weather is poor. This space should have open floor space free of furniture for the entire course to sit or lay down for skills practice.
- Courses may also be taught outside or on an expedition. In this case, large tarps, a roofed shelter, or excellent weather is required. Keep in mind that projector use requires some form of electricity (solar, generator, etc.) and a powerful bulb if used in daylight. Courses can be run without electricity in a field setting; please discuss potential trade-offs with your provider or the WMTC office before signing a contract.
- All simulations will be outside. If possible, simulation sites should contain varied terrain: rocks, wooded areas, steep hills, lakes, streams, rivers, etc. Transportation may be required if the areas for simulations are not within a short walk (less than fifteen minutes). WMTC instructors can not transport students.
- Instructor(s) will need a large 4' x 8' whiteboard with 4 new dry erase markers. Many campus classrooms have these built in. Note: a chalkboard is not sufficient. If your facility does not have a whiteboard of this size, they can be purchased cheaply at any lumber supply store that carries white sheets of tub & shower wall board (take a dry erase marker to test). For increased strength, the wallboard may be attached to a 1/4" sheet of particle board or plywood. Teaching with a whiteboard of this size permits flexibility within a lecture, usually provides a complete picture of the topic without erasing, and allows lectures to be held outside in good weather.
- Portable 2' x 3' whiteboard and stand are helpful for small drawings to emphasize content, alerting people nearby of a simulation, or daily schedules.
- Instructors will bring large (3' x 4') SOAP and PAS posters to hang from the walls to teach patient assessment and debrief simulations and case studies. Ideally, the classroom should have ~20 ft of clear wall space for these posters. They are typically attached using painter's tape, gaff tape or duct tape, depending on the surface. Sponsors can supply multiple rolls of the tape they prefer to be used on the walls.
Below are some examples of classroom setups using the equipment discussed above. Click on a photo to enlarge.
Classroom & Site Checklist
- Adequate classroom space for students at desks or tables & chairs
- Restrooms & changing space nearby
- Sheltered space for skills training
- ~20ft of clear wall space for SOAP posters
- Multiple rolls of whatever tape you prefer to be used on your walls
- Projector with enough lumens to use in your space during the day for all standard and WFR courses
- Power source for audio/visual equipment including extension cords (if in a field setting, discuss not having electricity with your provider)
- Projection screen appropriate to class size (whiteboards can double for these in some cases if there is no glare)
- Large whiteboard (4' X 8')
- Small whiteboard (2' x 3') & stand
- Four new colored dry erase chisel tip markers (red, blue, black, green)
- Transportation to and from simulations or off-site activities if needed. WMTC instructors can not transport students.
Required Medical & Rescue Gear
We don't recommend that students bring their personal gear with them for use during the course. It is very hard to ensure that the equipment will suit the course needs and be functional. We also don't want individuals to use the gear they're depending on for the course (e.g. it is very unpleasant and potentially risky to use a sleeping bag that has been soaked during a simulation earlier that day.) Much of the gear below will be used in several different labs. Refer to the course types in bold for what's required for each medical course. You may be able to rent equipment from your licensed provider - talk with them directly for details and pricing.
Full-sized Anatomical Torso & Skeleton
All Courses. Our instructors have a full-sized anatomical torso and skeleton that they can travel with. These teaching aids are required for students to fully grasp three dimensional anatomy. If your instructors need to fly to your course site, you can save extra baggage or shipping charges by borrowing an anatomical torso and plastic skeleton from the biology or health sciences department at your local college or university. If you are a regular sponsor, you may wish to purchase one of each for future courses; they typically pay for themselves after 3-5 courses (decorative halloween skeletons are not anatomically correct and do not work for WMTC courses).
General Equipment
All Courses. Every course has a Basic Life Support Lab that requires the following equipment. If the weather is cold or wet, the equipment will be used in many, if not all, simulations. It will also be used during other labs throughout the course.
Advanced Extremities Splinting Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. Various materials are needed to teach students how to improvise effective splints with available gear. In general anything that might be present in a field situation should be available for this lab. The materials used during the lab should remain easily accessible for the entire course. Choose splinting materials that reflect the environment and activities that the students live, work, and travel in. There must be enough gear available for half the class to wear one splint (arm or leg) at the same time.
We don't recommend that students bring their personal gear with them for use during the course. It is very hard to ensure that the equipment will suit the course needs and be functional. We also don't want individuals to use the gear they're depending on for the course (e.g. it is very unpleasant and potentially risky to use a sleeping bag that has been soaked during a simulation earlier that day.) Much of the gear below will be used in several different labs. Refer to the course types in bold for what's required for each medical course. You may be able to rent equipment from your licensed provider - talk with them directly for details and pricing.
Full-sized Anatomical Torso & Skeleton
All Courses. Our instructors have a full-sized anatomical torso and skeleton that they can travel with. These teaching aids are required for students to fully grasp three dimensional anatomy. If your instructors need to fly to your course site, you can save extra baggage or shipping charges by borrowing an anatomical torso and plastic skeleton from the biology or health sciences department at your local college or university. If you are a regular sponsor, you may wish to purchase one of each for future courses; they typically pay for themselves after 3-5 courses (decorative halloween skeletons are not anatomically correct and do not work for WMTC courses).
General Equipment
All Courses. Every course has a Basic Life Support Lab that requires the following equipment. If the weather is cold or wet, the equipment will be used in many, if not all, simulations. It will also be used during other labs throughout the course.
- Closed-cell foam pads: 1 per 2 students for WFA & WAFA courses, 9 minimum for WFR courses
- Sleeping bags: 1 per 2 students for WFA & WAFA courses, 9 minimum for WFR courses
- Tarps, Tyvek sheets, or plastic sheets (min. size: 8 x 8 feet): 1 per 2 students, 9 minimum for WFR courses
- Internal frame packs: 1 per 2 students (if available - packs are nice for containing the gear above during simulations)
- Hand sanitizer (for student use between skill labs and simulations to help prevent spread of disease
- Sanitizing wipes to clean face masks and suction syringes between uses
Advanced Extremities Splinting Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. Various materials are needed to teach students how to improvise effective splints with available gear. In general anything that might be present in a field situation should be available for this lab. The materials used during the lab should remain easily accessible for the entire course. Choose splinting materials that reflect the environment and activities that the students live, work, and travel in. There must be enough gear available for half the class to wear one splint (arm or leg) at the same time.
- Duct tape: 1 roll per 10 students, 2 rolls minimum
- Tent poles: 1 set per 5 students, 2 sets minimum
- Ski or trekking poles: 8 per course
- Internal frame packs: 1 per 5 students, 2 minimum (may be the same packs as above in the General Equipment)
- 1" webbing and/or cam straps (assorted lengths 4' - 10', 20+ pieces)
- Optional: Commercial Sandwich Splint: 1 per course (use in WFR or WEMT only)
- Optional: Snowshoes: 1 pair per 10 students, 1 pair minimum (use in WFR or WEMT only)
Wounds Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, & WFA courses (not Recertification or WBLS courses.) This lab focuses on practical cleaning methods for high risk wounds, one of the more common injuries in the outdoors. It requires fresh or frozen whole pig's feet (un-cut, hair removed). The texture and anatomy of pig's feet are very close to human skin and musculature and add realism to the lab. Some sponsors need to order the pig's feet at least one month in advance from the local butcher or supermarket. It’s also helpful to have one cut lengthwise for a quick anatomy lesson. Please keep them frozen until the course. Your instructor will thaw and supply the remaining lab equipment.
|
|
Spine Management Lab
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. This lab focuses on lifting, moving, and packaging spine-injured patients on a commercial and/or improvised litter. Materials from the Advanced Splinting Lab will also be used here.
Required
Improvised Litters & Carries Lab
WBLS, WEMT, WFR and Recertification courses. This lab shows students how to improvise and package different litters, to improvise hypothermia packaging, and to create alternate methods for evacuating non-spine injured patients.
Simulations
All courses. All courses have simulations to help students practice in a realistic environment. Fake wounds, blood, etc. are used to increase reality. Old clothing is required so students are able to cut (as they would do in a real situation) to look at injury sites. Clothing may be obtained from thrift stores. Most course sponsors have each student bring a set (two t-shirts, two pair of long pants, and two long sleeved shirts) with them to the course. If you choose to provide this for your students, here's what you'll need for each person:
WCPR & AED Certification
CPR manikins are required for CPR certification
Optional Critter Parts Lab
Standard WFR courses only. A nice addition to the Day 2 lectures in our Standard WFR courses are REAL lungs, heart, brain, and liver from a pig; please keep the organ block intact (epiglottis, trachea, lungs, and heart). Often a local butcher can save these parts for your course. Students often appreciate these visual aids. In addition please provide a long sharp kitchen knife and basin for each organ block. Please ask the butcher leave the heart whole and, if possible, attached to the lungs in a complete “organ block” with the trachea, larynx and epiglottis intact.
WEMT, WFR, WAFA, and Recertification courses. This lab focuses on lifting, moving, and packaging spine-injured patients on a commercial and/or improvised litter. Materials from the Advanced Splinting Lab will also be used here.
Required
- Stokes (wire basket) or similar rigid litter: 1 per 15 students, 1 minimum
- One 30-foot section of webbing or rope: 1 per backboard
- One 50-60 meter climbing rope for each litter and backboard
- For private courses that carry backboards rather than commercial litters or courses for river rafting companies that use camp tables as a base for improvising litters or place backboard caches at hazardous rapids: Long backboard: 1 per 7 students, 2 minimum
- 6" quick-draws or tied loops: 20 per course
- 1" camp straps for each backboard and litter
- SKED litter: 1 per course
- Full-body vacuum splint: 1 per course
Improvised Litters & Carries Lab
WBLS, WEMT, WFR and Recertification courses. This lab shows students how to improvise and package different litters, to improvise hypothermia packaging, and to create alternate methods for evacuating non-spine injured patients.
- 50-60 meter climbing rope: one per 7 students, 2 minimum
- Oars or long paddles (WFR/WEMT/Recert only)
Simulations
All courses. All courses have simulations to help students practice in a realistic environment. Fake wounds, blood, etc. are used to increase reality. Old clothing is required so students are able to cut (as they would do in a real situation) to look at injury sites. Clothing may be obtained from thrift stores. Most course sponsors have each student bring a set (two t-shirts, two pair of long pants, and two long sleeved shirts) with them to the course. If you choose to provide this for your students, here's what you'll need for each person:
- 2 pairs of long pants (might get cut & stained)
- 2 long-sleeved shirts (might get cut & stained)
- 1 T-shirt to be cut and used for a cloth roll in splinting labs
- 1 pair full-height thick socks for use in splinting labs (will not be cut or stained)
WCPR & AED Certification
CPR manikins are required for CPR certification
- Adult manikins: Minimum: 1 per 4 students. Preferred: 1 per 2 students. Ideal: 1 per 1 student.
- AED Trainer Minimum: 1 per course. Preferred: 1 per 3 students.
Optional Critter Parts Lab
Standard WFR courses only. A nice addition to the Day 2 lectures in our Standard WFR courses are REAL lungs, heart, brain, and liver from a pig; please keep the organ block intact (epiglottis, trachea, lungs, and heart). Often a local butcher can save these parts for your course. Students often appreciate these visual aids. In addition please provide a long sharp kitchen knife and basin for each organ block. Please ask the butcher leave the heart whole and, if possible, attached to the lungs in a complete “organ block” with the trachea, larynx and epiglottis intact.
Fees & Costs
- Contracted Tuition - The per-person cost for a given course type. WMTC tuition is standardized and includes instruction, course materials (e.g. Wilderness Medicine Handbook & SOAP notes for each student), and first aid supplies required to run the course. Tuition will be included in your contract with the WMTC Licensed Provider. You and the licensed provider will also agree on a course minimum - or how many people you as the sponsor will be responsible to pay for regardless of how many people attend the course.
- Public Price - The price that sponsors charge for their courses. WMTC sets a range for this (similar to MSRP) and sponsors choose what works for them within that range given their associated costs (e.g. instructor expenses, advertising, a little buffer, consumable supplies like wipes or hand sanitizer, etc.) You may charge one price for public members and a different discounted rate for local partners or groups. Sponsors work with the WMTC office and the Licensed Provider to identify these associated costs so that they can budget for and price their courses accordingly. Any additional amenities provided as a part of the course (e.g. food or camping) can be added to the public price. Specifics on tuition and fees for courses in the United States can be found here and on the Sponsor Resources page (for current Sponsors).
- Instructor Expenses - These include instructor travel, housing, meals, baggage fees, transportation, shipping of course materials, mileage (federal rate), etc. Sponsors are responsible for all instructor expenses associated with a course. Instructors will make every effort to keep costs to a minimum and it's important for sponsors to discuss and approve estimated expenses based on current rates prior to signing a contract with a licensed provider. Each instructor's needs and comfort levels are different; at the end of a long day, they need a place to recharge and prepare for the next day. You'll want to factor in these costs when setting your course price.
- Course Equipment & Supplies - This includes anything that you're responsible for as the sponsor specified in the requirements below or in your contract with your licensed provider. Examples include pigs feet for the wounds lab, sanitizing wipes, and rental or purchase of required equipment and/or space rentals. You'll want to factor in these costs when setting your course price.
- Deposit - A portion of contracted tuition due prior to the course start. The terms of the deposit (amount, due date, etc.) is specified in the contract by the licensed provider and is designed to cover course cancellation and any up-front expenses for the instructor. Failure to pay the deposit may result in course cancelation, a cancelation fee, and late payment fees (more below).
- Cancellation Fee - This the agreed-upon fee if the course is cancelled by the sponsor. Details of cancelation are specified in the course contract with the licensed provider including amount and timelines. Canceling courses is hard for everyone — you, students, us — and we will all do everything in our power to prevent it. We would prefer to reschedule or postpone rather than cancel a course.
- Late Payment Fee - These are charges for late payments as specified in your contract with the licensed provider, including deposits. These may include any and all reasonable court and legal fees necessary to enforce the contract in the case of a late or overdue payment.
- Credit Card Surcharge - This is the processing fee charged to the licensed provider by their payment acceptance system if sponsors choose to pay by credit card. This surcharge varies and is typically around 4%. Payment by checks, money orders and direct deposits avoid these fees.
Contracting Your Course
Once you understand what's involved in sponsoring a course and have chosen a course type, format, location, & dates, you're ready to choose a Licensed Provider [below] and contract your course! You will work directly with the Licensed Provider on contracting. Before signing your contract, be sure you understand and have carefully considered:
Once you understand what's involved in sponsoring a course and have chosen a course type, format, location, & dates, you're ready to choose a Licensed Provider [below] and contract your course! You will work directly with the Licensed Provider on contracting. Before signing your contract, be sure you understand and have carefully considered:
- Your market and the feasibility of your course based on conversations with the Licensed Provider and/or the WMTC office
- Certifications provided (e.g. WFR, WCPR, AED, Epinephrine)
- Per-person tuition
- Contract minimum & maximum
- What you are responsible for providing
- What the Licensed Provider is responsible for providing
- What you need to purchase, borrow, or rent
- Instructor expenses, including shipping of course materials
- Deposit amount and date
- Balance due date
- Course cancelation terms and fees
WMTC Licensed Provider Directory
Cascade Outdoor Education | Joel Reid
[email protected] +1 360-701-9105 Winthrop, WA | United States |
Cascade Wilderness Medicine | Alison Lay Cranston
[email protected] +1 575-779-9585 Redmond, OR | United States |
Headwind Backcountry Medicine | Zoey Gray
[email protected] +1 775-315-9783 Twisp, WA | United States |
Narrow Ridge Outdoors | Curt Howell
[email protected] +1 719-873-0188 South Fork, CO | United States |
Outdoor Education Resources | Tiana White
[email protected] +1 801-355-9819 Salt Lake City, UT | United States |
Southern Utah Recreation and Education | Levi Pendleton
[email protected] +1 801-390-7637 Cedar City, UT | United States |
Superior Wilderness Medicine | Emily Dempsey
[email protected] +1 248-765-0138 Detroit, MI | United States |
Viking Response and Recreation Consulting | Andrew Saunders
[email protected] +1 541-921-3564 Lincoln, NE | United States |
Wildgrace Outdoors | Katherine Miller
[email protected] +1 919-799-1839 Fayetteville, AR | United States |
Sponsor Resources
Once your course is contracted, reference the Sponsor Resources page (login required) for next steps and more detail on running your course. If you don't yet have a login and need one, please create your login here - we will approve logins for Sponsors who are currently actively involved in sponsoring a course ASAP.
Once your course is contracted, reference the Sponsor Resources page (login required) for next steps and more detail on running your course. If you don't yet have a login and need one, please create your login here - we will approve logins for Sponsors who are currently actively involved in sponsoring a course ASAP.