The EECs outlined below apply to all Cornell Outdoor Education programs, classes, trips, and activities. As they are referenced throughout various activity areas, we ask that you review them carefully before continuing. Any participant in a COE Programs must:

• Be able to perceive, understand and follow verbal or visual instructions individually and in a group setting
• Independently, perform necessary self-care, activities of daily living, and manage known medical conditions;
• Be able to comprehend hazards/safety concerns when explained and to adhere to policies/procedures
• Able to effectively communicate to others personal distress, injury or need for assistance, and hazards/dangers
• When using provided transportation: Be able to enter and exit vehicles (12 or 15 passenger van) independently or with minor assistance from Instructors. Must be able to self-transfer
• Remain alert and focused for the duration of the programed activity or outing;
• Able to stay properly hydrated and nourished, by day or night, and learn skills for self-care, including proper hygiene and use of clothing and equipment appropriate to the activity
• Able to refrain from the use of all chemical substances unless prescribed, including alcohol and tobacco
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team. This includes taking personal responsibility for belongings and behavior, effectively communicating ideas and concerns on an individual and group level, accepting differences, and possessing a willingness to at times put the needs of the group before those of the individual
• Self-regulate challenging emotions (e.g., fear, anxiety, frustration, fatigue, confusion, self-doubt, disappointment, anger, etc.) in an outdoor environment, often in remote areas with little to no privacy from other group members, in order to maintain an attention to safety, and persist in physical and mental activity
• Able to contribute to a safe social and learning environment and maintain appropriate relationships with other group members and instructors, refrain from sexual activity, harassment/bullying, and other disruptive behavior
• Able to meet all EEC whether or not directly supervised by an instructor
• Able to respectfully interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures
• Participants must be able to communicate with program staff in spoken English or through a reliable translation method.
• The use of adaptive equipment approved by the COE is permitted. Please contact COE directly to discuss the use of specialized equipment within our classes and programs.

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Travel over uneven and variable terrain; including but not limited to, uphill and downhill surfaces. Use of adaptive equipment approved by COE staff is allowed;
• Travel distances at a slow or moderate pace (1-3 mph) for up to 1 hour between rest breaks.
• For the duration of the activity, carry personal and group gear required for the specific activity in a backpack.

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Travel over uneven and variable terrain; including but not limited to, uphill and downhill surfaces.
• Travel distances at a slow to moderate jog for up to 1 hour between rest breaks.
• Must be able to run continuously for 4 miles before signing up for this class

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Travel over uneven and variable terrain; including but not limited to, uphill and downhill surfaces. Use of adaptive equipment approved by COE staff is allowed;
• Travel distances at a slow or moderate pace (1-3 mph) for up to 1 hour between rest breaks.
• For the duration of the activity, carry personal and group gear required for the specific activity in a backpack.
• Independently, (with instruction of Instructors) put on snow-travel equipment
• Endure temperatures below freezing (32° F)
• Independently travel and negotiate over varying snow-covered terrain & conditions. 

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Able to carry 30-60 lbs (or 40%-45% of body weight) daily for backpacking for trips ranging from two days to one week
• Navigate a variety of uneven outdoor/wilderness terrain over distances (trip mileage may vary for each course)
• Able to be outdoors for multiple days in all types of weather with a variety of stimuli including bugs, wind, temperature changes, wildlife, sunlight, and storms
• Able to learn skills and engage in tasks to support themselves and the group including those necessary for living in remote areas. This includes, but is not limited to: cooking, setting up and taking down camp, washing dishes, caring for group gear, packing backpacks, sleeping outdoors (in a tent, tarp or under the stars), and camp site clean-up
• Physically navigate the campsite in order to attend instructional sessions and toileting needs, independently
• Able to tolerate being several hours or up to several days away from medical facilities
• Able to tolerate changes in diet, group living, long days filled with mentally and physically challenging activities, and a routine that is likely much different than your routine at home

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Wear all required protective equipment, including a harness and climbing helmet.
• Independently control one's upright position on a climbing wall, boulder, or rock surface while attempting to ascend.
• When bouldering: Appropriately withstand an impact from a fall above head-height onto a crash-pad
• When Sport Leading: one-handed manipulation of ropes and carabiners while climbing and ability to withstand a lead fall (please reach out to learn more about Lead Climbing)
• When Rappelling: Able to safely navigate varied terrain at heights, and lower one’s self in a controlled manner
• Communicate necessary climbing signals with your climbing partner over the distance of the wall often in a noisy environment.
• After instruction, independently be able to apply a series of knots, manipulate carabiners and use other climbing specific equipment for one's safety. 

Top Rope or Lead Belay

• Ability to manipulate and grip a climbing rope through a belay device while taking up slack and while lowering the climber
• Must complete the Top Rope or Lead Belay Certification assessment at our facility. If an accommodation needs to be made to suit your abilities, please reach out to staff in advance of your assessment.

Outdoor Climbing

• Meet all of the General EEC
• Meet all Camping and Backpacking EEC
• Meet all Rock Climbing EEC

Southwest Climbing Expedition 

• Meet all of the General EEC,
• Meet all Rock Climbing EEC’s
• Meet all of the Camping and Backpacking EEC
• Independently manage airport travel

This EEC includes cycling on roads, gravel trails, double and single track 

• Meet all of the General EEC, listed above, in addition to those listed here
• Wear a properly fitted cycling helmet for the duration of the course
• Identify routes and hazards once taught by the Instructor
• Independently mount, dismount, sit and balance on the bike for the duration of the course.
• Independently (once taught), pedal, steer, stop, and negotiate vehicles over a variety of terrain including (but not limited to) flat, uphill, downhill, loose dirt, rocks, roots, stumps, and other natural and manmade terrain.
• When navigating on roadways, obey traffic laws and be able to visually signal other vehicles.
• Able to keep an appropriate distance between yourself and other riders or trail users

This EEC includes (but is not limited to) River, lake or ocean programs involving flatwater canoe, flatwater SUP, flat water Kayaking, Kayaking in the pool and Whitewater Kayaking. 

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Properly wear all equipment required by COE staff (e.g. personal flotation device, helmet, etc.
• Breathe independently without the use of medical devices to sustain breathing, and be able to hold breath/maintain airway when under water
• Independently hold head upright without neck or head support
• Independently remain in an appropriate body position, while in or on the water-craft, for the duration of the activity. Adaptive equipment used to support body positioning approved by COE is allowed.
• While in the water wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device, be able to independently turn from a face-down to a face-up position keeping head above water;
• Enter and exit from the water-craft independently, or with reasonable assistance from an instructor
• Independently escape from underneath a capsized water-craft;
• Following a capsize, reenter or remount the water-craft independently, or with reasonable assistance from an instructor
• Endure varying water temperatures and changing environmental conditions, including but not limited to, strong winds, sun exposure, rain, etc., when provided with proper equipment.

Additional EEC for Whitewater Kayaking

• Independently endure swift and erratic movement of the water-craft inherent with whitewater activities;
• Following an entry into swift moving water, demonstrate the ability to swim aggressively toward the water-craft or away from hazards, while wearing a personal floatation device. 

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Properly wear all equipment required by COE staff including, but not limited to: caving helmet, headlamp, etc.
• When approaching the cave, negotiate through difficult off-trail terrain.
• Independently negotiate through confined spaces of wet, dark, and slippery terrain that is consistently at about 50°F
• Endure dark and confined spaces for up to 5 hours.
• Independently negotiate caves spaces by kneeling, scrambling, crawling, bending, army crawling, bracing, as well as lowering, pushing, lifting one’s body weight over and under boulders and ladders. Negotiate through confined spaces of wet, dark, and slippery terrain.
• Independently communicate verbally over a distance up to 50 feet.
• Must be comfortable working at a height in excess of 40 feet.
• When lowering and ascending on ropes must be able to protect themselves by bracing against rock structures in various condition
• Wear all required protective equipment, including a caving harness (seat, chest, or fullbody) and climbing helmet.
• Independently, or with the assistance of a companion, communicate necessary climbing signals. These signals may include spoken signals, hand signals, or a rope tug

Outdoor Challenge Course Programs

• Meet all of the General EEC, listed above, in addition to those listed here
• Follow safety instructions in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable setting; working independently or with others to negotiate problem solving initiatives.

Challenge Course Programs (Low Ropes)

• Ability to maneuver over uneven dirt trails with roots and rocks (a typical low element program may include a ½ mile of travel on trails)
• Adaptive equipment used to support balance and mobility approved by COE is allowed. 

Challenge Course Programs (High Ropes)

• Must meet all above Challenge Course EECs in addition to
• Wear all required protective equipment, including a climbing harness (standard waist and legs, seat, or full body) and climbing helmet. Use of adaptive equipment approved by COE is allowed.
• Participants should be comfortable with participating in activities at heights from 10 feet to 50 feet
• Ability to climb a 10 foot ladder and 20 foot vertical pole with hand and foot holds. Use of adaptive equipment approved by COE is allowed.
• Participants must meet the following weight requirements for zipline, autobelay, and quick jump events
  • The maximum weight for the course is: 300lbs.
  • The maximum weight for the Zip Line is: 250 Lbs
• Balance and climb over stationary and moving structures

"Portable Programs"

• Meet all of the General EEC
• Follow safety instructions in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable setting; working independently or with others to negotiate problem solving initiatives

Noyse Indoor Challenge Course 

This is an indoor, accessible challenge course with group based element and elevator access to the basement level gym where the course is located. 

• Participants should be comfortable with participating in activities at heights from 5 feet to 30 feet
• Wear all required protective equipment, including a climbing harness (standard waist and legs, seat, or full body) and climbing helmet. Use of adaptive equipment approved by COE is allowed.
• The maximum weight for the course is: 300lbs.

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• All Circus Classes take place at Circus Culture in Ithaca. Transportation in 12-15 passenger vans provided.

Juggling 

• ability to toss/catch light weight objects
• ability to pick up objects from ground when/if dropped 

Aerials (aerial hammock, lyra, fabric, and trapeze)

• comfort hanging in air (upside down at times)

Unicycling 

• Once taught, independently mount, dismount, sit and balance on the unicycle throughout the course. Walls, frames and other balance assists will be used in the learning process 
• Once taught, independently pedal, steer, stop, and negotiate unicycle over a variety of terrain including (but not limited to) flat, uphill, downhill, loose dirt, rocks, roots, stumps, and other natural and manmade terrain. 

acrobatics, tumbling (also Partner classes)

Intro to Circus Arts 

• Meet all Circus EECs above
• This course includes all of the disciplines above 

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Travel over uneven and variable terrain; including but not limited to, gentle uphill and downhill surfaces. 

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• Travel over uneven and variable terrain; including but not limited to, uphill and downhill surfaces.
• in and out of van multiple times while traveling to different viewing sites. generally within
• For the duration of the activity, carry personal required for the specific activity in a backpack.

• Meet all of the General EEC, listed above, in addition to those listed here
• Wear all required protective equipment, including a climbing harness (or full body) and climbing helmet.
• Independently control one's upright position while continuously lifting ones own body weight to ascend.
• Able to safely navigate Tree limbs at heights, and lower one’s self in a controlled manner
• Communicate necessary climbing signals with your climbing partner over the distance of the wall often in a noisy environment.
• After instruction, independently be able to apply a series of knots, manipulate carabiners and use other climbing specific equipment for one's safety.
• Ability to manipulate and grip a climbing rope through a belay and ascending devices 

Redwoods and Costa Rica Tree Climbing  

• Meet all of the General EEC,
• Meet all Tree Climbing EEC’s (above)
• Meet all of the Camping and Backpacking EEC
• Independently manage airport travel

The following qualifications are required of wilderness medical providers. Wilderness Medical Certification will only be issued to those students who fulfill these requirements. Students who participate in a course and pass all written and practical exams but do not meet the following qualifications, competencies, and tasks may receive a Letter of Successful Completion in place of a certification. if you feel you may not be able to perform all of the EEC's below, please reach out to Bode to discuss accommodations and options prior to enrollment.  

• Meet all of the General EEC, in addition to those listed here
• You must meet the required minimum age for the course for which you are registering by the first day of that course. If you are under 18 years of age, written proof of parental/guardian consent is required.
• You must have the ability to communicate effectively with instructors, classmates, coworkers, and other rescue personnel; calculate medication dosages based on body weight/ mass; interview patients, family members, and bystanders; document all relevant information in the prescribed format; and perform the physical and diagnostic skills required for the level of certification.
• You must have the ability to assist in lifting, carrying, and balancing a person weighing up to 300 pounds.
• You must possess the dexterity necessary to perform all tasks related to the highest quality patient care.
  • In these courses you must demonstrate the ability to perform CPR, control hemorrhaging, properly assess and stabilize an injured spine, manage fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries, reduce simple dislocations, cleanse, and dress wounds, and manage environmental emergencies.
• You must have the ability to access and care for another person on uneven terrain, to work in confined spaces, and to work in extreme environmental conditions.
• You must have the ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high stress situations.
• You must successfully complete written exams and practical assessments conducted by WMAI instructors.

• Meet all of the General EEC, listed above, in addition to those listed here
• Engage in service learning projects in indoor or outdoor (including backcountry) settings, such as trail or construction projects (including but not limited to: building, digging, lifting, painting, clean-up, and carrying weight) for 8 hours per day, independently or with the assistance of a companion
• Wear all required personal protective equipment for the duration of the project
• With instruction, ability to safely use hand or power tools