The outdoors can push us to our limits, sometimes beyond them. Whether it is being caught in an avalanche, pinned in a kayak, or watching a friend fall, these moments do not simply disappear. They shape how we think, how we move, and whether we return to the places we love at all.
We spend a lot of time preparing for worst case scenarios. Far less time is spent understanding what happens in the moment when everything goes sideways, how people function through fear, keep others calm, and make critical decisions under extreme stress. And even less attention is given to what happens after, the near miss that could have ended differently, the trauma of what did happen, or the loss of someone who did not make it to takeout.
Post incident conversations often focus on technical skills and leadership decisions, while the psychological and physiological impact of trauma is overlooked. Yet stress, fear, and trauma fundamentally shape judgment, behavior, relationships, and long term engagement in outdoor spaces.
This session examines how trauma shows up in real time, how crises unfold neurologically and behaviorally, and why the way we process these experiences matters for individuals, teams, safety culture, and long term participation in outdoor spaces.
Logistics & Details
Cost: Sliding Scale $5-$15
Note: The minimum covers the Learn Local Series operating costs, not the instructor’s time. Additional contributions above the minimum directly support the facilitator for the gift of their time and expertise.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
Registration:
Space is limited to 30 participants.
A minimum of 10 participants is required to run the class.
No refunds given; however, purchases can be gifted to another.
About the Facilitator
Kallie Kurtz is a Behavioral Health Clinician who designed and runs Grove Institute which works on behavioral health care, training and policy. Kallie specializes in trauma, ADHD, and crisis response in emergency departments, individual therapy, and public health policy. An avid whitewater kayaker and mountain enthusiast, she has been exploring the outdoors for over 30 years. Bringing together her passions for the outdoors, wilderness medicine, and behavioral health, she has been working to ensure Backcountry Behavioral Health is fully incorporated into wilderness medicine and outdoor adventure fields. A Wilderness First Responder since 2009, she spent nearly a decade instructing and guiding outdoor expeditions, where she witnessed firsthand the profound connection between mental health, risk, and resilience in remote environments. With expertise in trauma, PTSD recovery, and resilience building, Kallie equips outdoor enthusiasts to understand behavioral health, navigate high-stress incidents and foster post-traumatic growth in wilderness settings.
Contact Kallie by email or check out her website below:
kalliekurtz@groveinstitute.org
www.groveinstitute.org
About Learn Local Series
Learn Local classes are for neighbors by neighbors offerings given from the heart. We partner with you to give to the community accessible-to-all experiences that connect and weave us together. You just need to show up and share, we take care of the details at no upfront costs. Doing one of these classes is right for you if you want to gift on your knowledge or skills to the community in an easy, low pressure way. More details about how to do your own here.
