Winter Training Prepares GPI Guides for Summer Adventures

GPI Outdoor Education Manager Matt Apuzzo, and GPI AmeriCorps Outdoor Education Instructors Claire Snedegar, Alex Lowery, and Gillian Bradley (front) enjoy a snowy walk during Wilderness First Responder Training in February near Lake Diablo.

Far from hibernating, our outdoor program staff keep busy during the long winter months in preparation for summer. For five days this February, members of our team made the 90-minute one-way commute from Darrington to the North Cascades Institute on Lake Diablo to earn their Wilderness First Responder certifications. The fresh snow on the ground was a perfect reminder of why wilderness safety skills are essential for the diverse outdoor experiences we provide year-round.

Beyond Basic Training

Internationally recognized, Wilderness First Responder certification (WFR)—known as "Woofer" training—is considered the gold standard for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Taught by staff from BackCountry Medical Guides out of Bellingham, participants learn to plan trips, manage risk, respond to emergencies, and make key evacuation decisions. Earning a WFR Certification represents a significant commitment, requiring 25 hours of virtual instruction followed by 40 hours of in-person instruction and hands-on training scenarios.

A key aspect of WFR training involves memorizing protocols using acronyms to enhance recall, response times, and improve coordination between responders during an emergency. GPI AmeriCorps OE Instructor Gillian Bradley found structured protocols like these, "give you focus in the moment to act and avoid any paralysis from uncertainty."  For GPI AmeriCorps OE Instructor Alex Lowery, WFR training highlighted the value of self-awareness in an emergency when, during a simulated emergency, Alex had to physically examine a victim for physical injuries. "I quickly realized that to identify the victim's injury, I'd need to get comfortable and confident about placing my hands on another person’s body to search for what might be broken." GPI Outdoor Curriculum Education Manager, Matt Apuzzo, especially appreciated how their instructors made the lessons practical, applicable to real world-scenarios, and encouraged participants to share their own lived experiences during the training to learn from each other.     

GPI Team members practice stabiling injuries during outdoor simulations.

Summer 2025: Expanded Possibilities

Thanks to training like this in the winter months, GPI's upcoming season promises to be its most dynamic yet. By certifying our staff as Wilderness First Responders, we've accomplished several important goals:

• Expanded Wilderness Access: WFR certified staff can safely plan trips into virtually any wilderness area, opening a wider array of educational and leadership development experiences in some of the most breathtaking and environmentally interesting areas of the Northern Cascade mountains.

• Enhanced Community Trust: Parents and guardians can entrust their children to our care knowing our team is prepared for emergencies—particularly important for families who may be new to outdoor experiences.

• Enhanced Program Quality: Staff who understand wilderness risk management create more thoughtful, well-designed activities that maximize learning while minimizing unnecessary risks.

As the winter wraps up and planning for summer programs accelerates, the GPI team carries forward not just certification cards but a deeper sense of readiness for the adventures ahead. This behind-the-scenes preparation—taking place months before the first summer participant arrives—exemplifies the thoughtful approach and commitment to investing in our staff that makes Glacier Peak Institute's programs so impactful.