Join us for a weekend of camaraderie and fun outdoor experiences to help you gain confidence in the outdoors and be safe on your adventures!
Instructors Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN, Dr. Maura Davenport, MD, will be focusing instruction on First Aid Certification and outdoor first aid skills during the first two days. Beginning the second day, Alex Stokman with Venery and JCPF staff will expand on wilderness survival techniques through an introduction to hunting concepts, conservation and ethics, shelter building, and skill application scenarios. Outside of instruction time participants will have opportunities to build community and try new recreational activities like archery and fly casting. Below are some of the topics that will be covered:
First Aid Certification with an emphasis on backcountry skills
Backcountry preparedness and shelter building
Bear awareness
Navigation skills
Hunting basics, regulations, and access
Firearms safety
Wildlife identification and behavior
Conservation and ethics
Hiking - scouting, tracking, and glassing
Building confidence and community in the outdoors
Inspiration, fun, adventure!
The program will be held at the Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center and most activities will be outside. We welcome participants 18 and over and of all fitness levels; hikes will be shorter with training stations along the way.
We are capping the program at 24 people. Please submit the registration form and payment below to save your spot!
We are very grateful to our sponsors that make it possible to keep registration fees lower. Thank you!!
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN
Jill is a Registered Nurse who has worked in emergency medicine for over 15 years, in places as diverse as post-Katrina New Orleans, Sub-Saharan Africa, and rural Montana. She is currently working as a Flight Nurse for Life Flight Network and as an instructor for the American Heart Association. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors, no matter the season, and is passionate about helping women feel comfortable adventuring in the wilderness.
Dr. Maura Davenport, MD
Maura is a Family Medicine Physician who has been working in medicine for over 20 years in a variety of capacities including EMS and search and rescue. She is currently working at Madison Valley Medical Center as a full spectrum family medicine doctor, chief of staff and medical director for the Madison Valley Ambulance Service. Her love of wilderness medicine combines her passion for medicine and love of the outdoors. Maura’s goal is to share her knowledge and skills with as many people as possible to ensure that people are safe and confident as they venture into the great outdoors.
Alex Stokman Founder of Venery
Alex is a Montana Master Hunter, an Artemis Ambassador for Montana, and a dedicated FWP Hunter Safety Instructor and Range Safety Officer. But Alex is more than just accolades; she's a mother of three who understands the importance of time for herself. For Alex, hunting is both a personal journey and a way to provide for her family. She values harvesting food from nature, from berries to deer and elk, finding deep satisfaction in nourishing her loved ones while minimizing waste. Alex's love for hunting goes beyond sustenance; it's about connecting with the Earth, embracing the elements, and rejuvenating her spirit.
Through Venery, Alex and her team empower women by teaching them the art, sport, and ethics of hunting. They create a welcoming community where women mentor and learn from each other, fostering self-reliance and sustainability. Together, they make hunting a powerful way to bring people closer and promote conservation.
You can learn about JCPF staff here: STAFF — Jack Creek Preserve Foundation
