Adventure awaits. Leadership beckons. Start your path in wilderness survival and leadership at CCC
- Confidently leading expeditions through breathtaking wilderness landscapes.
- Mastering the art of survival, ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself and others.
- Making critical decisions under pressure, guiding your team with calm composure and unwavering resolve.
Invest in your future, start today
The Wilderness Survival and Leadership Career Pathway at Clackamas Community College is an investment in your future. This program provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to not only thrive in the wilderness but also make a real difference in the lives of others. This Career Pathways certificate is part of the Wildland Fire Science Certificate.
Required classes for the Wilderness Survival and Leadership Career Pathway Certificate
Thriving careers in untamed landscapes
Fueled by your passion for the outdoors and honed through the Wilderness Survival and Leadership Certificate program at Clackamas Community College, a rewarding career awaits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a positive job outlook for many wilderness-related careers. This growth is driven by factors like:
- Increased focus on outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.
- Growing awareness of environmental stewardship and wilderness preservation.
- The ongoing need for skilled search and rescue personnel.
The Wilderness Survival and Leadership Certificate program is an investment in your future. With a growing demand for skilled professionals and the diverse career paths available, you are well on your way to a fulfilling and impactful career in the great outdoors.
For more information on career opportunities for this program, view the course catalog.Skills for a wild future: Learn these in the wilderness survival and leadership program
The Wilderness Survival and Leadership Certificate program at Clackamas Community College equips you with a skills for thriving in the outdoors and leading others. Our program will prepare you for a variety of wilderness scenarios.
Upon completion of this program, you should learn:
- Navigation: Learn the basics of land navigation, including map and compass reading,orienteering techniques and GPS utilization. Navigate challenging terrain and ensure safe passage for yourself and your team.
- Survival: Develop an eye for evaluating hazards in wilderness environments. Learn to take appropriate actions to mitigate risks and prioritize personal safety in all situations.
- Field medicine: Gain proficiency in performing first aid and CPR skills tailored for wilderness settings. Be prepared to handle emergencies and provide crucial medical care until help arrives.
- Leadership: Develop leadership skills, allowing you to effectively communicate with team members, delegate tasks and make sound decisions in dynamic situations. Inspire trust and foster collaboration within your group.
- Search and rescue: Learn the fundamentals of search, rescue and evacuation operations. Gain valuable skills in locating lost individuals, providing emergency care and safely extracting them from challenging environments.
The program delves deeper into specific wilderness knowledge, including:
Understanding Northwest weather: Gain insight into weather patterns and forecasting specific to the Pacific Northwest region. Learn to anticipate changing conditions and make informed decisions based on weather forecasts.
The Wilderness Survival and Leadership Certificate program equips you with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the outdoors, lead others effectively and make a lasting impact.
For more information on expected outcomes of successfully completing this program, view the course catalog.Investing in your future
Clackamas Community College offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the Portland metro area. To begin building the cost for your program, you can start with the base estimate below.
This estimate includes the cost of tuition and the general fees applied per class and per academic term. This estimate does not include additional fees required for many courses or the cost of course materials. Contact the program to learn more about additional costs that may apply.
You can also find more information about the costs of attending CCC on the Tuition and Fees page.
Get help paying for college
Scholarships and grants (free money!) are available for students in this program. For help with financial aid and scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Resource Lab.
Continuing education for firefighters
Separate from its degrees and academic certificates, Clackamas Community College also offers recertification trainings and professional development opportunities for wildland firefighters, forestry workers, public land managers and natural resource field technicians.
Our S courses, professional workshops and refresher courses will boost your skills and allow you to advance in your profession. Learn more at www.cccwildfire.com.
Wildland Refresher Training (RT-130)
Wildland Fire Refresher Training (RT 130) informs wildland firefighters of current issues and the upcoming fire season. This training is required annually by all federal, state and contract firefighters.
Training is provided to recognize and mitigate risk, maintain safe and effective firefighting practices, and reduce accidents and near misses. Clackamas Community College offers a five-hour refresher course each season. The college can arrange courses geared toward agency-specific requirements, such as fireline EMTs.
Work Capacity (Pack) Test
The Work Capacity (Pack) Test is a yearly requirement for all fireline personnel. CCC offers the test at the arduous level. As a recognized Public Training Provider, our pack tests are overseen by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
After a safety briefing, participants will carry a weighted vest around the college track, completing three miles in 45 minutes (arduous).
