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SOLO Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course 4/14–15, 2007

By Scott Wermann

What can I say about these two days I spent with about 40 other people – excellent, awesome, great, and…to borrow from two of my WFA course new friends…rockin, nice, and…sweet. Ahhhh yes!

SOLO instructors Colin and Sean did a "best" job, covering a monster amount of material in only a couple days, doing it professionally while always entertaining. Good "teachers" are rare, but we were the lucky students getting two that weekend. Thanks guys!

Though we had use of the inside of the White Memorial Foundation lodge, thanks to CT AMC's Dale Geslien's organizing efforts, Colin and Sean didn't blink at Litchfield's finicky weather when they led us outside to practice our skills. Saturday we got away with a mostly-dry cool partly-sunny day, but Sunday…no way would our Solo coaches let us shy away from "allowing us" to test our gear and spirits in the rain/sleet/snow for an hour or so in the morn and then again in the afternoon. Anyone besides me find out that their gear needs to have its "water repellency" restored?

But I personally would have weathered all day in wet frigid temps knowing that we had the fortune to have an incredible woman, Laurie, volunteering her entire weekend to cater – by herself – our breakfasts, lunches, dinner, and…even afternoon food breaks. I'd have to write an entire page to try to summarize all Laurie did for us. She never stopped – shopping, preparing, serving, cleaning…Laurie, you are incredible. Thank you, thank you. I can't stop smiling thinking about your made-from-scratch soup, made-from-scratch meatballs, and… chocolate-chip cookies. You have a twin single sister?

What a weekend: great course material providing us with the confidence of WFA certification to enjoy our outdoor passions to the max whether going it solo or leading others; a great location at White Memorial; great SOLO instructors; great organization of all by Dale and CT AMC; great food and care by Laurie; and great people sharing their weekend together. An awesome weekend because of everyone!

 

 

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Compilation Copyright © 2006, Connecticut Chapter AMC