Volunteer Training Opportunities!

American Red Cross Basic First Aid, CPR, AED: March 25, 2023 (This session is full.  We have added an additional session.  Please see date and information below)

This class will meet from 9 am to 5 pm at the Ouray Community Center San Juan Room with instructor Pam Foyster.  Pam will provide a hands-on follow-up of the online material required of this course.  The class is free to OTG members and satisfies the prerequisite for Chainsaw and Crosscut Saw certifications and Trail Crew Leader training.  The online portion of the course should be taken in advance of the in-person session on March 25 at https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/adult-first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed-online/a6R3o000001vqDD.html. OTG will reimburse the online cost of $37 for OTG training participants. 

Prerequisite: Online module linked above

Minimum Age: 18

Trail Maintenance Skills Training:  April 15, 2023

For all current and future OTG trail work volunteers!  Learn trail stewardship basics including trail standards and how to recognize and assess trail problems.  Learn and practice techniques for clearing brush and limbs, fixing drainage problems, curbing erosion, and removing soil and rock slough to make trails safe and sustainable. 

Prerequisite: OTG Membership

Minimum Age: None

Chainsaw and Crosscut Saw Training: April 29th and 30th

Clearing downed trees using chainsaws is an essential part of OTG’s volunteer trail maintenance work. The use of hand-powered crosscut saws are required in Wilderness situations and desirable in some backcountry situations. Learn the skills to become a certified chainsaw and crosscut sawyer!  Participants who successfully complete this U.S. Forest Service-approved course will receive Forest Service sawyer certification for limbing and bucking downed trees which is required to operate a saw with Ouray Trail Group.   

Both Saturday and Sunday (8 am to 5 pm with lunch break) will include instruction and field work in the Ouray area. Students will learn and practice field skills and receive instructor evaluation. 

Prerequisite: Current Adult First Aid and CPR certification by the American Red Cross or equivalent, please bring your certificate.

Minimum age: 18

Trail Crew Leader Training:  May 13th and 14th

Do you have some experience maintaining trails and wish to take your stewardship work to the next level?  OTG needs more Trail Crew Leaders!  In partnership with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and OTG are offering a Trail Crew Leadership training course at Ridgway State Park.  The course will include a combination of classroom, fieldwork and online components.

Prerequisite:  Adult First Aid-CPR Certification by the American Red Cross or equivalent.

Minimum age: 18.

OTG follows current Covid 19 recommendations for mask use and social distancing.  All trainings and work days are subject to current Ouray County Covid 19 safety restrictions.  You will be contacted by OTG if there are schedule changes made after your registration.