Learn more about our most popular course offerings below, or find our upcoming course schedule here.
This experiential six-hour introductory course covers how to take youth on day hikes. Topics include trail games, Leave No Trace principles, navigation and other outdoor leadership skills. Includes hiking Gear Library access upon completion
The FLT is an entry-level course covers all the basic skills you will need to successfully take youth on car-camping based overnight trips. Skills covered include: camping safety, day-hiking, tent and stove-set up, clothing requirements, nutrition, and team building activities. All learning is experiential. Includes frontcountry Gear Library access upon completion
The Wilderness Leadership Training (WLT) is a five day intensive entry-level backpacking course. It is designed to give you the tools you need to lead youth on multi-day backpacking adventures. Includes frontcountry and backcountry Gear Library access upon completion
Our Snowshoe Leadership Training (SLT) is an experiential day-long course that covers snowshoeing and safety in snow/winter conditions. Includes snow Gear Library access upon completion
This highly experiential 16-hour class is for individuals who want to learn how to handle emergency medical situations in the backcountry. It covers basic wilderness first aid topics such as patient assessment, shock and bleeding, head and spinal injuries, wounds, heat and cold illnesses, and much more. Does not include Gear Library access
"I appreciated the tenderness and agency you all gave us as students of this learning and teachers in our work."
"The BAWT team was great–supportive, helpful, caring, and it shows that they really like they work they do with BAWT."
"The most useful part of the training was the tips about how to keep track of gear, playing games, taking feedback from campers, and getting lost in the woods and finding our way out."
"Everyone was knowledgeable, funny, welcoming, and supportive."
"The hike was helpful in hearing others' leadership styles, activities, and getting practice in risk management."
"The lead trainers were amazing and turned this into a fun experience."
"Everything was wonderfully executed. The sessions were useful and intentional. The leaders were amazing–great energy and it was so nice to be taken care of. (Great job bringing the perfect weather too!)"
"Keep doing what y'all are doing because work like this is how we give power back to underserved youth! Empowering experience 10/10 :)"
Yes! We will teach you the skills you need to take your youth out camping. If you've never been camping, you might prefer to begin with the FLT to familiarize yourself with camping basics and take the WLT at a later date.
BAWT courses bring together people with a wide range of outdoor skills. If you are already an experienced camper, you will benefit from learning alternative approaches and styles, and you can share your skills and unique perspectives with others!
BAWT courses also provide a standalone opportunity for professional development in the youth outdoor education space. You will expand on your outdoor facilitation skills, learn how to tailor outdoor experiences to large groups of youth with varying skill sets, and explore cultural relevancy in outdoor education. You'll also experience our classic experiential learning model in a beautiful Bay Area natural environment and meet like-minded people. And last but certainly not least, course graduates get access to our 9,000+ item outdoor gear library to bring youth outdoors.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is an industry-standard course that is suitable for anyone who wants to brush up on their first aid skills, particularly to use those skills in an outdoors context or where help may be farther away.
The WFA consists of two long classroom days filled with scenarios that require some moving around. Those who successfully complete the course will receive an industry-standard Wilderness First Aid certification that will be valid for two years from completion.
Please note that WFA graduates do not have access to the BAWT Gear Library unless they take a different BAWT course that does provide access.
All course participants will receive a detailed packing list. We provide all group gear and free rentals of most individual gear for course participants. Participants should not need to purchase any gear for their course, though some may choose to bring a few things of their own for comfort.
We offer a General Registration price and a Mission Registration price for all our courses, which are both provided at a substantial discount from our costs to run the course. We hope to reintroduce our scholarship program in the future.
Our field courses (like FLT and WLT) are designed for youth workers. If you work with or spend time with a group of youth in any capacity, we encourage you to register for our courses! WFA is an industry-standard course that is designed for anyone who spends time recreating away from immediate access to medical care. If you are interested in a BAWT course, we hope you'll sign up!
FLTs and WLTs are our most popular courses and can happen year-round. HLT courses may be scheduled periodically. You can expect to see the SLT about once a year–in the winter, of course, since we need snow!
Yes! Find more information on how to earn university credits.
For courses WITH a Pre-Trip Meeting (FLT, WLT, Snowshoe):
Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the pre-trip meeting for the course allow for a refund of 75% of the total registration fees already paid to BAWT. Cancellations received 14 to 29 days prior to the pre-trip meeting allow for a 25% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received 13 days or less prior to the pre-trip meeting. A full refund may be given in the event that we cancel a course, unless the participant cancels first. Any course materials received before the start of the course must be returned before you will receive a refund or you will be charged for them. You will be charged a fee for all course materials that were not returned.
For courses WITHOUT a Pre-Trip Meeting (HLT, WFA):
Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the course allow for a refund of 75% of the total registration fees already paid to BAWT. Cancellations received 14 to 29 days prior to the course allow for a 25% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received 13 days or less prior to the course. A full refund may be given in the event that we cancel a course, unless the participant cancels first. Any course materials received before the start of the course must be returned before you will receive a refund or you will be charged for them. You will be charged a fee for all course materials that were not returned.
