Join Outdoor UW for their new Outdoor Explorer Series.  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

Intro to Backpacking

Have you ever been interested in learning about what backpacking is all about? Have you ever wondered why is it popular, how do people get into it, where do they go, what do they need, is it possible to backpack and still be comfortable out there? Come to this class and get these questions answered so you can get ready for your first backpacking trip of the season.

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn about what backpacking is and why it is a popular outdoor activity 
• Learn about the gear and supplies needed to backpack effectively and comfortably while also creatively thinking of substitutions they have that can be used in place of high-end/expensive gear.
• Learn how to effectively pack a backpack 
• Learn about local areas that will be good spots for your first backpacking trip and what time of year is the best to visit these location 
• Get hands on practice with packing a backpack 

Event Information: This event has been rescheduled from March 15. Now that you understand the racing rules of sailing, learn how to apply them and make tactical decisions on the racecourse. 

Our Winter Sailing Seminars occur weekly and cover a variety of nautical topics. The seminars are open to the community and sailing club membership is not required. 

This year we ask participants to bring at least one non-perishable item per seminar to be donated to the Lussier Community Education Center. Most needed items include: olive oil, vegetable oil, maple syrup, sugar, flour, jelly/jam, pancake mix, paper towels, toilet paper, & baby wipes. Get more ideas from their Food Pantry Donation Wish List.

Please see below for a detailed list of this season's dates and topics.

Location: Check the Today in the Union website or the digital signs in Memorial Union on the day of the lesson. Note that the event start time may appear earlier on the TITU listing but will begin at the time shown here. If the event does not appear on the TITU listing, please go to the Outdoor UW Office and speak with the staff to determine the event location.

2023 Winter Sailing Seminars:

January 12 (Thursday): Sailing the British Virgin Islands with Max Slesarev

January 18: Building Your First Boat with Jo Reis

January 25: Spray's New Panel and Marine Electronics with Michael Litzkow

January 27 (Friday): Bareboating in Croatia with Pete & Christine Keuler

February 1: Sail GP - The Greatest Show on Water with Philip Tietze

February 8: Weather in the Great Lakes region with Ian Beckley

February 15: Limnology of Lake Mendota with Mark Gahler

February 17 (Friday): Sailing to the Virgin Islands and back with kids and a dog with Daniel Rogge

February 22: Nautical Communication with Mark Gillespie

March 1: cancelled

March 8: Introduction to Marine Four-Stroke Engines with Mills Botham

March 15: Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing with Dave Elsmo

March 22: The Physics of Sailing with Sam Norrell

March 29: The Personal Power of Qi: A Revolution in Sports Psychology with Andrew O. Jackson

April 5: Advanced Racing Tactics with Dave Elsmo

This American Red Cross class equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults. Upon successful completion, a valid 2-year digital certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.

Participants are not required to bring anything to class. However, it may be beneficial to wear clothes that are easy to move in, and you can bring a notebook and pencil if you'd like. 

This class is perfect for any Hoofer wanting to recreate in the outdoors, and is a great supplement to your Wilderness First Aid course which does not include a CPR portion. (and might I mention it can be done at a reduced cost, 60% off regular price of the class!!) 

Description: The Wilderness First Responder (WFA) is a 16-hour certification course that will help you prepare for unexpected medical emergencies in wilderness settings. This fast-paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts, and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care.Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. You will also leave the course with a certification that is valid for two years from the date of the course. The course is hosted by OutdoorUW and taught by seasoned NOLS instructors in a two-day format, from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments. To learn more about the curriculum please visit: https://www.nols.edu/en/wilderness-medicine/courses/

Should I take the WFA or the WFR? The WFA is a two-day course that primarily focuses on the basics of how to respond to an emergency situation in a remote area. This is perfect for people who are on remote day hikes or shorter trips with friends. This class really focuses on the Patient Assessment System and how to start making decisions on patient care. The WFR is a 10 -day long course that is the industry standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies..https://www.nols.edu/en/about/wilderness-medicine/

Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union in Madison-800 Langdon Street. We are not able to offer housing or camping for this course. There are hotels and hostels available nearby. Food is not provided but is available for purchase in the building and at nearby locations to Memorial Union. There is a refrigerator and microwave to chill and warm food. https://info.wisc.edu/plan-your-visit/ 

Register below, call, or stop in the office if there are any questions about this course. Office hours are posted at https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw/. For additional information or questions about this certification course please contact Dan Dunne 608-262-7445 ddunne@wisc.edu 

Hoofer Club Leader Scholarship/Grant: If you are a current Hoofer club member and are hoping to take on more leadership within your club you may qualify for a scholarship/grant to offset the cost of this course. Please submit your application as soon as possible by applying through the links on hooferleaders.org. If you are awarded the scholarship/grant you will receive a follow-up email with directions on how to register for the course using a discount code.      

* Several spots on this course will be reserved for Hoofer members. These spots will be released to the general public 1 month before the course start date *

This American Red Cross class equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults. Upon successful completion, a valid 2-year digital certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.

Participants are not required to bring anything to class. However, it may be beneficial to wear clothes that are easy to move in, and a notebook and pencil if you would like! 

This class is perfect for any Hoofer wanting to recreate in the outdoors, and is a great supplement to your Wilderness First Aid course which does not include a CPR portion. (and might I mention it can be done at a reduced cost, 60% off regular price of the class!!)

Join Outdoor UW for their new Outdoor Explorer Series.  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

Intro to Bikepacking

Get on your bike and ride… and adventure! Learn about the skills and equipment necessary to comfortably take your first bikepacking trip. Confidently travel under your own pedal power for an exhilarating adventure. 

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn about what bikepacking is
• Be familiar with a few local bikepacking areas
• Understand what gear is needed and how to properly pack
• Know how to properly eat and drink on a bikepacking trip

The Social Sustainability Coalition is a group on campus whose mission is to lead meaningful events and conversations about the intersectionality of sustainability with social justice and equity. At this event, participants will learn how to dye materials using natural alternatives rather than toxic chemicals that are associated with synthetic dyes. The natural dyes workshop is intended to be a fun and relaxing event in which participants can practice expressing sustainability in a different and creative manner, and connect with others through the learning experience.

Get involved this Earth Day week with an invasive species cleanup in the Muir Woods. This is part of a larger effort of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to restore the over 300-acre woodlands on campus to healthy and biodiverse habitats. Participants will get hands-on experience identifying and trimming invasive woody species and enjoy time outdoors in the Muir Woods, located off of the Lakeshore Path. Snacks will be provided at the conclusion of the event back at the Union. Participants should expect to wear appropriate clothing for working outdoors, such as closed-toed shoes and long pants. They will meet at Memorial Union by the Outdoor UW desk and then walk to Lot 34 where a coordinator from the Lakeshore Nature Preserve will help participants identify different plant species and guide them in cutting and piling the plants.

Have you ever wondered how you can travel and camp in the backcountry in the most harmless way possible?

Do you aspire to have those who follow your path have NO IDEA you were ever there?

Learn how to truly become a backcountry ninja by embracing the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace through this Leave No Trace Trainer Certificate course.

This is the way.

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This LNT Trainer Certificate Course requires all participants to “camp out” in tents overnight to demonstrate low-impact camping techniques. The focus is on the LNT principles and less on “how to camp”, therefore, it is recommended that participants have some knowledge of camping (even if this is classroom-based). As part of the course, participants will also be asked to teach, educate, and evaluate each other in one of the 7 LNT Principles. The cost of this course includes 3 simple “camp” meals, snacks, and LNT materials. This course is a combination of indoor and outdoor lecture/discussion, practical application, and reflection on your own developing ethic when it comes to the Leave No Trace curriculum. Please bring any basic camping equipment that you have and want to use as well as your own personal gear (clothing, toilettes, etc). We will provide all “group gear” (tents, stoves, etc). As we get closer to the course we will reach out and see what additional gear people may need to borrow for the overnight camp (such as sleeping bag, pads, etc). Topics covered on this course include:

• The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
• The history of land conservation and public wilderness protection in the U.S. 
• Individual learning styles 
• Outdoor teaching techniques 
• The authority of the resource 
• Reflections on your own personal LNT ethics.

A Leave No Trace Trainer Certificate will be issued to each participant at the end of this training which will allow you to utilize LNT online resources and teach LNT Awareness Courses in the future.    

Prerequisites: N/A.

Previous participants of Outdoor Explorer Series classes are eligible for the discounted registration fee for this course.

Questions registering? Please email ddunne@wisc.edu, or call 608-262-7445

If you anticipate using a FLEET/DOA VEHICLE to tow a Hoofer owned trailer at any point this fall or winter, then attend this class to get your trailer towing certification! This would include towing a sailboat for lift-out, towing the horse trailer, towing the alpine ski trailer or possibly towing the outing club canoe trailer. Please note that if there someone that cannot make this class, there will be other training offered in the future, however we do not have those dates/times available. FLEET AUTHORIZATION WITH WISCONSIN HOOFERS IS REQUIRED. Please visit hooferleaders.org if you are fleet authorized with another UW department and need authorization with Hoofers. There is no cost for the class.

We will meet virtually at the start of the course 11:30am to 12pm. We will be meeting at LOT 60 (by the UW Hospital) to perform the hands-on portion of the training from 1 to 3pm. Dress for being outside.

Join Outdoor UW for their new Outdoor Explorer Series.  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

Intro to Backcountry Fire Building

The purpose of this class is to talk about strategies for building fires in the backcountry. This includes Leave No Trace considerations that focus on minimizing the impacts of backcountry campfire building. Students who participate in this class will walk away with new ideas and skills for fire-making and building. Once we have been able to practice building a fire we hope to have a conversation on equity and inclusion in the outdoors as we sit around a fire and enjoy some community-building time.  

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn how to build a backcountry campfire
• Learn LNT considerations that will help minimize campfire impacts
• Have conversations around what factors limit participation in outdoor activities for non-dominant and marginalized identities.
• Learn what they can do to promote equity diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. 

*** This class will begin in the Mendota lodge in Memorial Union and migrate to the Dejope fire circle to practice fire-building skills that we learned in class. Come prepared to be indoors and outdoors :)