Hands-On Wilderness Medicine Learning on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Rafting Safari
Over the past decade, MedTreks has been hosting skills courses on rivers throughout California and Oregon. We find that river time is not only a great place for hands-on learning but it is one of the best ways to fully unplug, but also reconnect – where the solitude of the wilderness is balanced by the camaraderie of shared experiences.
The last 4 years MedTreks has been hosting our river courses along the world renowned, Wild and Scenic Rogue River. A classic river trip that can be enjoyed by any skill level, the Rogue has become one of our favorite places to host these courses.
Imagine: walk-in tents, cots, pillows…a camp fully set up by the guides by the time you arrive each afternoon, paired with wine tastings, happy hours and gourmet meals…this wilderness medicine classroom is like no-place else!
Why we choose to return to the Wild & Scenic Rogue River Year after year:
As Pete from Momentum River Expeditions shares, “A trip down the Rogue has been compared to being in a “Planet Earth” movie. There are narrow canyons of polished rock, cool grottos draped in ferns, heavily forested hillsides, big sandy beaches, some of the best swimming holes anywhere, cascading waterfalls, and hikes up tumbling sidestreams. It is common to see bald eagles, osprey, otter, and black bear. There are over 80 rapids and the whitewater is fun and exciting yet safe. The rapids and the choice of craft make the Rogue almost unmatched in its ability to satisfy a wide range of tastes and skill levels”.
Hands-On Learning in Stunning Real-World Environments
Traditional classroom settings have their place, but nothing compares to learning in the field, especially when it comes to a dynamic environment such as the river. From improvising splints on rocky shores to rescuing victims from swift moving water, every skill you acquire is directly applicable to real-life situations.
Practice Improvisation and Adaptability
It is one thing to read a skill in a book, it is a completely other thing to know how to practice that skill in a remote setting, without a vital sign machine, a crash cart or a phone to call for help. Wilderness medicine is all about adaptability. In remote settings, resources are limited, and conditions can change rapidly. Our river courses challenge you to think critically and solve problems on the fly. How do you manage an injury with only what you can carry? What’s the best way to evacuate a patient from a difficult location?
What a typical day looks like: One morning on the Rogue you will wake up and learn to create a hypothermia wrap after breakfast. In the afternoon while stopping for lunch on the river, you might have a practice scenario with a drowning patient. In the evening you will have a workshop on orthopedic splinting in the wilderness…then of course there are always some good stories shared over drinks and dinner! Educational sessions are blended in with the daily rafting, the side canyon hikes, the morning yoga and of course, the delicious meals.
Networking and Building Lifelong Friendships
One of the most rewarding aspects of a MedTreks course is the people you meet. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded healthcare professionals who share your passion for adventure and learning. The camaraderie that develops during these trips often leads to lifelong friendships and professional connections. These relationships can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and support systems within the medical community.
Deepening Your Connection to Nature and Yourself
Spending time in nature has a profound impact on well-being. It’s a chance to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with yourself. On a MedTreks river course, the natural environment serves as both a classroom and a source of inspiration. The tranquility of the river, the beauty of the landscapes, and the simplicity of life on the water offer a unique opportunity for reflection and personal growth. You’ll return from the trip not only with new medical skills but with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.
Safari Style: A Wilderness CME Vacation
You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to go on vacation or sit in a dark conference room to earn your CME…one of the best parts about our Rogue River Rafting CME Safari is that it is a “safari-style” trip, meaning that you show up with some clothes and a toothbrush, and we take care of the rest. The tents are walk-in, there are cots, pads and pillows to sleep with. You can even select to have a clean, warm sleeping bag provided for you. You will enjoy gourmet riverside meals on a dining table with camp chairs. You will taste local wines. You will sip on craft cocktails and mocktails. You will spend each day exploring a new stretch of river and arrive to a new camp each night, fully setup by the expert river guide team. This attention to detail and extra touches, allows the experience to be relaxing, comfortable and makes more space to have fun with wilderness medicine skills and workshops.
Join us on the Rogue for a Wilderness Medicine Course!
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