Yes. The course curriculum is designed to be applicable to outdoor, adventure, and experience-based programs anywhere in the world. The principles of incident causation and prevention taught in the course, and the standards of good practice covered, are relevant everywhere. Participants are provided resources to identify locally-relevant legal, insurance, activity-specific, and other resources specific to their circumstance.

Yes. Viristar’s Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course has been recognized as a valuable professional credential by government agencies, higher educational institutions, outdoor programs, and industry bodies worldwide. Government entities in nations including the USA, Singapore, Canada and Australia have enrolled employees—or entire teams of employees—in the course, and the training is recognized by the Association for Experiential Education, the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education, the International Schools Experiential Education Network, the California Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education, the American Camp Association, the International Outdoor Education Federation, the South African Adventure Industry Association, and the Outdoor Council of Canada, among other industry bodies. The training has been educationally endorsed by the American Camp Association in 2021, and graduates are eligible for Continuing Education Units from Colorado State University Pueblo (USA). Outdoor, adventure and experiential programs in over 60 countries on six continents have enrolled their staff in the Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course. The outdoor risk management training sector is generally not regulated by government bodies, however; consequently, no formal accreditations by government authorities are known to exist for trainings such as Viristar’s Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course. 

Generally, cohorts beginning in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, etc.) have Live Sessions (video-conference calls) starting at 11:00 am New York time (UTC-4/-5). Cohorts beginning in even-numbered months (February, April, June, etc.) have Live Sessions starting at 11:00 am Singapore time (UTC+8). The content of the cohorts is identical. Participants should select the cohort that has meeting times most convenient for them.

In general, it is permissible to miss a Live Session (video-conference call), as an absence for one Live Session normally will not unacceptably impair one’s overall learning experience or ability to obtain a course completion certificate. Successful completion of the course is based on the participant demonstrating adequate knowledge and skills regarding course topics. An individual who misses a live session may need to do some catch-up work, and should view the recording of the video-conference call. Participants must have at least 40 hours available for engaging in learning activities over the span of the four-week course.

It’s not necessary to be working for an outdoor, adventure or experiential program in order to enroll in and learn from the training. Part of the course involves participants evaluating risk management practices at an organization with which they are directly familiar. Therefore, it is helpful if you are working for (in a paid or volunteer capacity) or have recently worked for an outdoor, adventure-based or experiential learning organization, but this is not required.

The course includes both self-directed learning activities, and facilitator-based learning. Most of the coursework involves self-directed independent study—about 10 hours a week. There are once-a-week facilitator-led video-conference calls, usually 90 minutes in length. It’s important that participants have self-motivation and initiative to engage in independent study work, in order to have a successful course experience.

No prior experience is required. Essential eligibility requirements: participants must have high-speed internet access; a device for online study and video-conference calls; capacity to work constructively with others; ability to read, write and speak in the language of instruction (English, unless specified otherwise), and at least 10 hours per week available for learning activities.

If a participant needs to drop out of the course, they normally may re-schedule for another course cohort starting any time within the 12 months following the start of the course from which the participant is withdrawing. Generally, once a participant has registered, refunds are not available, unless the course is cancelled by the organizer.

Yes. An online, view-only electronic copy of the textbook (Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation and Adventure) is included in the course at no additional cost. Print copies of the textbook are available for an additional cost on the Viristar website and at bookstores.

Yes. Viristar accommodates school districts, schools, government agencies and other bodies which require issuance of a purchase order prior to authorizing enrollment, or who are only able to pay from an invoice. Contact us for manual course enrollment and to organize the purchase order/invoicing process.