High Adventure Team (HAT) - Wilderness First Aid Training (hybrid) 2026

Sign up in time for summer High Adventure Treks!

Priority registration for Verdugo Hills Council members through 11:59 PM, April 19, 2026. After that, any remaining spots will be filled from the waiting list through 11:59 PM April 22, 2026. 

Prepare for the unexpected in this hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine program taught by experienced professionals. This training is geared towards adult Scout and Venturer leaders preparing for a High Adventure Base or a wilderness activity. This course will teach you how to provide effective first aid treatments for common outdoor injuries and illnesses, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions. This hybrid course consists of a self-directed online course and a 1 day skills assessment.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive the following:

- Certificate from the Emergency Care & Safety Institute, which meets BSA’s requirements for WFA training.

- CPR/AED certificate from the American Heart Association. (if CPR option is taken)

- Both training certificates are a requirement to attend ALL High Adventure Camps.

See Scouting.org's Wilderness First Aid Course FAQs.

To complete the course:

• Go to https://www.psglearning.com/catalog/productdetails/978128422471919. Purchase the online course “BSA Wilderness First Aid Navigate Course, Fifth Edition” for $40. For discounted price, if registering before Apr.1, enter promo code: BSA2026Q1, after Apr. 1 enter BSA2026Q2. Complete the online course and save the completion acknowledgment as a digital file.
  Cost of online course is determined by ECSI registration through their website.
• IMPORTANT! Students MUST complete the online course and have a completion certificate to email the instructor BEFORE taking the in-person portion of class. Please email certificates to: clucsik@gmail.com, Subject Line: ECSI WFA Class. This will return a reply email with some attached files.

• You are required to be certified in CPR/AED from American Red Cross or American Heart Assoc. no more than 1 year prior to taking the skills assessment and must present the certificate. If you need to take a CPR course one will be offered through Verdugo Hills Council on Sat. May 2 at the Verdugo Hills Council office, 421 N Glendale Ave, Glendale CA 91206, from 8 AM to 12:30 PM. A second session will be held if necessary, 1 PM to 5:30 PM (6 spaces in each class).

• Register for and attend the in-person skills assessment on Sat. May 16 at the Verdugo Hills Council office, 421 N Glendale Ave, Glendale CA 91206, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Bring a sack lunch.

Cost:

• Cost of Online Course – determined by ECSI registration through their website.
• Skills Assessment with CPR - $174. Includes all materials, ECSI/BSA/WFA and AHA CPR/AED certificates.
• Skills Assessment w/o CPR - $71. Must present CPR certificate, completed less than 1 year prior.

Eligibility: Open to registered Scouters, 18 years and older.

Lead Instructor: Chris Lucsik, Outdoor Emergency Care instructor certified by the National Ski Patrol and ECSI.

Registration: Space is limited to 12 participants, so sign up today. Priority registration for Verdugo Hills Council members through 11:59 PM, April 19, 2026. After that, any remaining spots will be filled from the waiting list through 11:59 PM April 22, 2026.