These optional workshops are offered at minimal cost as an opportunity for Community Program crew leaders to continue building their skills and knowledge.  These workshops are open to crew leaders attending orientation at either New Jersey or Pittsburgh.

Workshops will start at 8:00 AM on the Wednesday before Orientation, so plan to arrive early that morning or the previous evening.  Workshops will continue on the Thursday morning and afternoon before Orientation registration begins.  Further details and travel instructions will follow for those signing up.

• NJ Pre-Orientation:  May 18-19, at Crossroads Camp and Conference Center, Port Murray, NJ.

• Pittsburgh Pre-Orientation: June 1-2, at the Family Retreat Center, Cranberry, PA

To sign up for workshops, please fill out this form on line:

Course fees can be paid by check on the day of the workshops.

Workshop descriptions:

Outdoor/Urban First Aid/CPR: This is an 8-hour course designed for SCA Community Programs by Aerie Backcountry Medicine.  Adapted from their Wilderness Medical Essentials course, it is a basic First Aid certification with more problem-solving and hands-on practice time geared towards the sorts of situations our crews find themselves in.  The main course will be all day on the Wednesday before Orientation, and CPR will be Thursday morning before Orientation begins.  This is an opportunity for leaders who need their First Aid certification to achieve it at a convenient location (you’re already coming to Orientation!), with more realistic practice.

Cost: $110 for O.U.F.A., $35 for CPR ($145 for both)

ACA Canoe Safety: This American Canoe Association course is the minimum required by SCA to involve canoes on any recreation trips with your crew.  It covers basic paddling techniques, rescue techniques, and safety.  At under 4 hours, this course is open by itself or in conjunction with the Workskills Refresher or Leave No Trace courses.  Additional registration materials will be sent to participants.

Cost $25

Workskills Refresher:  Typically only new crew leaders go through Conservation Skills training, but we know that all of us would benefit from further training and guided practice!  This 1+ day workshop will cover trailwork basics, help clear up lingering questions, and maybe give you a chance to practice something brand new.

Cost: $60

Leave No Trace Trainer:  Part of the nationwide Leave No Trace program, this course provides introductory training in the ethics and principles of Leave No Trace in a condensed two-day format.  The Trainer Course assists the participants in learning more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for disseminating these low impact skills. Successful graduates of the Trainer Course gain the skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques to their crew or any other group.  Those attending will be expected to teach the material to their crew(s) as a part of their educational experience. The majority of this course will take place in a field setting and will include camping out for one night (no previous experience required).  Further information will be sent to applicants along with other registration materials.

Cost: $90

If you have any questions, please contact Will Kirkpatrick at wkirkpatrick@thesca.org