Have you ever become lost while hiking in the backcountry, yet managed to find your way out at the last moment? Or have you ever had to navigate your boat when you could not see your normal landmarks due to fog or night travel? Wouldn't it be great to have the calm assurance that within moments you could know right where you were and know which way to travel to get home, day or night, whether on land or water?

A good GPS receiver and proper training makes this possible. The following courses will provide you with a practical understanding of GPS technology and how to use any brand or model you own for backcountry and marine applications. Our training will teach you to combine GPS with standard navigation methods. We will teach you to utilize maps, charts and compasses for land and water-based applications. Becoming truly lost or disoriented by limited visibility can be perceived as a minor issue for those who learn to use these devices. Our hands-on training will help revolutionize your trips. If you have special applications not listed below, or time-constraints, we can arrange private instruction for you any day of the year, anywhere you desire. If you need a GPS, you can rent or purchase one from us.

Having taught GPS nationally for years for all applications, we encourage you to take the listed sequence of courses whenever possible. Begin with the evening GPS Seminar, followed by the next available Standard GPS course for your application (either Marine or Land). Intermediate and Advanced training is then available in each specialty for those who successfully complete the Standard courses. All GPS courses are taught on land, unless you schedule private or small group instruction on a boat at a mutually agreed date(s).

Standard GPS Navigation I (9am-4:30pm)
This class is designed to teach you the basics in applying GPS in diverse settings. Training will begin indoors and transition to field work. Levels II and following take place in the field, with plenty of hands-on training to ensure you acquire the skills necessary for using this great navigation tool. Plan to hike a lot...and learn a wealth of information as you participate in this exciting course. The training will help prepare you for either the Land or Marine training.
Content of training:
GPS overview – its development, how it works and why it works.
Initializing your GPS so it works properly for your location.
Saving and editing locations in your GPS.
Common mistakes made by GPS users and how to avoid them.
Handouts for important key functions with your GPS.
How to utilize USGS contour maps and a compass with your GPS.
Understanding and plotting map coordinates (Click here for UTM grid reader).
Entering desired positions into your GPS.
How to plot UTM coordinates from your map (essential for land applications).
How to use the coordinate system that works best for your applications.
How to easily plot your GPS position on a map should you become "lost."
How to follow bearings with your GPS and compass.
The morning segment of this course takes place indoors. The afternoon session transitions to forested areas with varied terrain.
Prerequisite - None.
 
Standard GPS Navigation II - Night Navigation:
5pm-9pm (fall/winter); 8pm-midnight (spring/summer).
This course is specifically designed for all land-based applications: Hunting, hiking, backpacking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing, mountaineering, search and rescue, etc.
Content of training:
Common GPS menu options most suitable to your needs.
How to accurately communicate your GPS location to others.
Tips to ensure your return to previously saved GPS locations.
Estimating and planning for GPS inaccuracies in the field.
A review of key backcountry applications.
Fine-tuning night navigation with GPS and compass use.
Search techniques for the "needle in the haystack" during limited visibility situations.
This training takes place in forested areas with varied terrain, just prior to dusk...and into the dark hours of the night..
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard GPS I or equivalent.

Standard GPS Navigation III - Field Training: 3pm-10:30pm
This course is specifically designed for all land-based applications: Hunting, hiking, backpacking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing, mountaineering, search and rescue, etc.
Content of training:
How to utilize USGS contour maps and a compass with your GPS.
Understanding and plotting map coordinates (Click here for UTM grid reader).
Entering desired positions into your GPS.
How to use the coordinate system that works best for your applications.
How to plot UTM coordinates from your map (essential for land applications).
How to easily plot your GPS position on a map should you become "lost."
How to follow bearings with your GPS and compass.
Common GPS menu options most suitable to your needs.
How to accurately communicate your GPS location to others.
Tips to ensure your return to previously saved GPS locations.
Estimating and planning for GPS inaccuracies in the field.
A review of key backcountry applications.
Night navigation.
The afternoon and night training take place in forested areas with varied terrain. Plan on snacking between the day and night training.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard GPS II or equivalent.

Standard GPS Navigation IV - Field Training : 3pm-10:30pm
This course is a great launching point for all guides, instructors and other outdoor enthusiasts to be followed by Intermediate and Advanced Level Training. It is physically demanding and mentally challenging.
Content of training:
This event will test and refine all of your GPS navigation skills.
Extensive GPS plotting, route selection and hiking in varying types of terrain.
Learn to deal with just about every situation that could possibly occur on any future outing you may take with your GPS.
Altimeter use with your GPS will be taught and discussed to assist you in pinpointing your locations on maps.
Plan to hike several challenging miles off-trail as you hone all previously learned GPS techniques.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard GPS III or equivalent.

Standard Comprehensive GPS Navigation: 4 days/3 nights
Successful completion of this GPS course will dramatically enhance your resume as well as all future backcountry adventures. This is a great GPS skill’s test for all guides, instructors and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Content of training:
This course combines all the content and skills listed in the Standard I-IV skills training. The first day begins indoors and then transitions to the backcountry for the duration of the training. A key advantage of this format over the others – evenings of discussions and training, and a continuous program from start to finish.
Prerequisite - None..

Intermediate & Advanced Comprehensive GPS Navigation - 4 days/3 nights each.
Content of training:
Details will be provided upon request.
Prerequisite - These upper-level programs are open only to those who have successfully completed the Standard I-IV courses, or the Standard Comprehensive.

Instructor Certifications - Standard, Intermediate or Advanced Comprehensive GPS Navigation: 6 days/5 nights
Content of training:
Consider these courses vital prerequisites for a career in backcountry-related travel or employment. The training covers the content of the comprehensive GPS training, yet also provides a format for every participant to instruct others in the group on a rotating basis. Strengths of this event – extensive hands-on training, instructional experience, and virtually nonstop learning experiences throughout each program. Participants become certified in this specialty only after successfully completing and teaching all aspects of the training, as well as written and oral exams.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of the Comprehensive Standard or Intermediate GPS Navigation Instructor Certification Courses or equivalent (depending upon the level) from NWSOS.

GPS Night Navigation:
This course is part of the Standard Land GPS and Standard Marine GPS Training. Our clients usually refer to this part of the training as the highlight of the entire event. It is specifically designed for anyone who may encounter darkness, white-out or fog while on a trip, which obviously includes us all. This training is a crucial ingredient in continuing to build confidence in your navigating skills with GPS as you apply the technology after dark.
Content of training:
Travel tips for limited visibility applications.
Boosting your confidence in how to accurately navigate during poor visibility situations.
Tips to ensure your timely return to previously saved GPS locations after dark.
Ways to insure that others can find you in a timely manner.
How to establish and work from baselines while attempting to find a specific location.
A mock-rescue with emphasis on finding others, or enabling others to find you.
Hiking to a variety of saved waypoints you either plot from charts or maps, or coordinates provided by your instructor(s).
Overcoming obstacles in the field.
Prerequisite - Standard Land or Marine GPS Training.


Standard GPS Marine Navigation I - 9am-5pm
This course is specifically designed for all mariners and covers GPS applications for rivers, lakes and oceans/seas. etc.
Content of training:
How to utilize nautical charts and a compass with your GPS.
Understanding and plotting coordinates from nautical charts.
An introduction to symbols on charts.
Entering desired positions into your GPS.
Learn which coordinate system works best for your applications.
How to plot Latitude/Longitude coordinates from your charts/maps - essential for marine applications.
How to plot your GPS position on a chart should you become "lost."
How to follow bearings with your GPS and compass.
Plotting distance and direction to specific destinations on charts.
Overcoming obstacles on water.
The morning segment of the course takes place indoors where you will begin to apply much of the above. The afternoon portion of the training takes place on land (or water, if you booked private individual or group training) to accommodate the learning experience while you use your GPS to travel to locations plotted from your nautical charts. Instruction will focus on boating applications. Private or small group instruction on water is available upon request for an additional fee.
Prerequisite - None.

Standard GPS Marine Navigation II - (night navigation - field training) 5pm-9pm (fall/winter); 8pm-midnight (spring/summer)
This course is specifically designed for marine applications.
Content of training:
Common GPS menu options most suitabable to marine applications.
How to accurately communicate your GPS location to others using various coordinate styles (interpreting and communicating critical information).
Tips to ensure your return to previously saved GPS locations.
Estimating and planning for GPS inaccuracies on water.
A review of key marine applications.
Fine-tuning night navigation on water with GPS and compass use.
Search techniques on water for that "needle in the haystack," during limited visibility situations.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard I or equivalent.
Standard GPS Marine Navigation III - (field training) - 3pm-10:30pm
Content of training:
Set and follow predetermined routes with your GPS & gain insight as to how this can benefit you in varied applications.
Significantly increase your confidence and skill level in GPS and compass use.
Include extensive hands-on field practice utilizing all previously learned techniques during limited visibility situations.
More detail regarding chart symbols and tools and how to use them to your advantage.
Review of plotting chart coordinates and following bearings to any destination you desire, regardless of environmental conditions.
The effects of tides and currents with specific GPS menu applications.
Plan on several hours of problem solving for a variety of situations.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard II or equivalent.

Standard GPS Marine Navigation IV - (field training) 3pm-10:30pm
Successful completion of this GPS course will dramatically enhance your resume as well as all future water adventures. This is a challenging course that will help you gain greater confidence as you sharpen your skills.
Content of training:
This event will test and refine all of your GPS navigation skills learned thus far.
Plan on extensive GPS plotting and route selection.
More details regarding chart symbols and interpreting data with what you see on paper vs. what you observe on water.
Review of all GPS use and how to properly combine standard, proven navigation methods.
Learn to deal with varied situations that could possibly occur on any future outing you may take with your GPS.
Plan on plenty of hands-on field work to help you to perfect all previously learned GPS techniques.
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Standard III or equivalent.

Standard Comprehensive GPS Marine Navigation: 4 days/3 nights
Content of training:
  This course combines all the content and skills listed in the Standard I-IV training detailed above. The first day begins indoors and then transitions to the field for each successive level of training. A key advantage of this format over the others – evenings of training and discussion and a continuous program from start to finish. By courses end, this event will test and refine all of your GPS navigation skills for marine applications.
Prerequisite - None.