Join us at the 2021 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Each year, The Mountaineers sends several of our volunteers to the Wilderness Risk Management Conference by NOLS, Outward Bound USA, and the Student Conservation Association. Learn more about this year’s conference – held online October 18-22 – and apply to attend as a representative of The Mountaineers!
The Mountaineers The Mountaineers
July 08, 2021
Join us at the 2021 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

How do industry trends affect, shape, and impact our programs at The Mountaineers? If this is a question that you've ever considered, and a conversation that you're interested in being a part of, we invite you to join The Mountaineers at this year's Wilderness Risk Management Conference online.

The Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) is an annual gathering of outdoor professionals that creates an unparalleled opportunity for experts from various facets of the risk management world – practitioners, administrators, insurance providers, wilderness medical professionals, equipment manufacturers, and attorneys – to convene in one place and share knowledge. Offered by NOLS in collaboration with Outward Bound USA and the  Student Conservation Association, the spirit of the conference is captured in the WRMC Tenets . The purpose of the WRMC is to provide a forum to learn and share common practices in wilderness risk management, and contribute to a culture of open dialogue among outdoor industry professionals.

This year's conference takes place online October 18-22. We hope that you'll consider joining us!

ATTEND ON BEHALF OF THE MOUNTAINEERS

We've reserved five slots at the 2021 WRMC for our volunteers, paid for by The Mountaineers. We invite you to apply for one of these spots and attend on behalf of The Mountaineers, and bring what you learn back to your branch and our organization! We hope to have representation from various branches and activities.  Please complete an online application no later than August 29 to receive full consideration. Staff will make final selections by September 10.

Apply Now

Please note: Attendance is free for the selected Mountaineers representatives, as The Mountaineers will cover registration fees ($195 value). 

Alternatively, all members are invited to register today, at their own expense, to ensure themselves a seat at the table. Early bird registration is available until August 20 for $195, with pricing increasing to $245 after August 20.

WHAT can you expect as an attendee?

The WRMC is a melting pot of expertise, and a junction where industry leaders converge to discuss trends, standards, and best practices. If you want to learn more about the following subjects, the WRMC is a great fit for you:

  • Addressing operational stress
  • Affinity Spaces & White Caucus
  • Expert legal and field practices
  • JEDI 101 and 201 
  • Emergency & Crisis Response
  • Systems Thinking
  • Mental, Social, & Emotional Health
  • Staff Training & Decision Making
  • Organizational Risk Management

In addition to the physical risks that many of us associate with risk-management, the WRMC is also designed to help attendees learn about managing two other types of risk: organizational risk (things that threaten your business) and emotional risk (the emotional well-being of participants in outdoor adventures).

This year, we're excited to highlight a workshop session with frequent Mountaineers presenter and contributor, Steve Smith. Steve will present a workshop and Q&A session called Safety Differently! A Research-Based "New View of Risk Management." 

Click below for a full schedule, including workshop descriptions and speaker bios:

See the Schedule

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Michelle Song, Associate Volunteer Development Manager, with any questions about attending this year’s Wilderness Risk Management Conference online. Attending the WRMC is an outstanding opportunity to gain new insights and skills that will benefit you, your branch, and The Mountaineers as an organization. We hope you’ll apply to join us!

Apply Now