NWC Outdoor Recreation

06/07/2026

If you encounter a bear:

DO NOT RUN. Bears can easily out run any human. Running may elicit attacks from non-aggressive bears.

If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly.
If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back slowly away while talking in an even tone or not at all. Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.

Do not drop your pack - this teaches bears how to obtain human food. Your pack can also protect your body in the case of an attack.

Do not climb trees - all black bears and some grizzly bears can also climb trees.

The vast majority of bear attacks have occurred when people surprised a bear. In this situation the bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. The bear may be protecting young or defending a carcass.

If a bear charges you:

DO NOT RUN. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping suddenly.

Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly back away.

If you have bear spray this is the time to use it!
If the bear makes contact with you, drop to the ground and lie flat on your stomach with your legs spread apart slightly and play dead. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.

In rare cases, bears have attacked at night or after stalking people. These attacks are very serious: it may mean the bear sees you as prey. If you are attacked at night or if you feel you have been stalked and attacked as prey, fight back. Use your bear spray, shout, and try to intimidate the bear with a stick or rock. In this type of situation, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey (nps.gov).

06/02/2026

It’s always fun getting patients for scenarios ready, but when they turn around to be the rescuer next, not sure how comfortable I would be with them coming to assist me!😂

A little Wilderness First Aid with the BSA Camp Buffalo Bill camp staff.

I missed them, but some of the staff saw a grizzly sow and cubs looking for breakfast. I only saw the aftermath:). Bring your bear spray.

Have a great and safe summer!

Northwest College

05/07/2026

04/26/2026

04/24/2026

Thanks to Cody High for coming over this week to visit about the Northwest College Outdoor Education and Ski Area Operations programs.

And of course we had to finish the day with some recreation on the climbing wall and ropes course!

04/21/2026

Thank you Jessica Jatkowski for bringing your FYS class to the ropes course Monday!

If you have a class, club, team, office, business or group of any sort and would like to bring them to the Northwest College challenge course, contact the DELTA office to schedule a session.

04/15/2026

On Wednesday, April 15, the Northwest College Nursing, EMS, EMT, Paramedics, Outdoor Education, and Criminal Justice Cohorts will be participating in a joint training event based off a mass casualty response incident, providing an opportunity for these students to train on relevant topics and will provide the faculty and staff an opportunity to evaluate students on their competencies.

Throughout the day there will be a significant number of people in and around Colter Hall and the Yellowstone Building, including emergency vehicles, EMT/EMS, and Law Enforcement personnel. There will be individuals involved with the event who are acting as casualties, and their clothing and demeanor will reflect as much. At no time during the training will any of the actors be outside of the control of faculty and/or staff, or in locations other than Colter Hall or the Yellowstone Building. Faculty and Staff involved in the administration and evaluation of the incident will be identifiable by reflective vests and should be contacted if there are any questions.

Many of the vehicles will stage in the parking lot to the south of Colter Hall and will travel in between Colter Hall and the Yellowstone Building. NWC's Safety & Security will be involved to provide logistical support and safety oversight in the training. These activities should not in any way affect the normal daily operations of the college but will be very visible throughout the day.

04/08/2026

WE ARE HIRING FOR FUELS CREW POSITIONS

The position involves working on a wildland fire fuels reduction crew in the removal of hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface (WUI), responding to emergency calls including local and national wildland fire, emergency medical, and other emergency calls for service.

See redlodgefire.com/join for more information!