Q: Who should attend?
A: Actually, anyone! The main course is designed for the medically inclined but has been enjoyed by hundreds of non-medical attendees over the last two decades. The pre-conference workshops will certainly be valuable to anyone! We have had doctors, PAs, NPs, nurses, medical technicians, paramedics, EMTs, police, fire, military, ski patrol, park rangers, first responders, high-schoolers, international travelers, REI fanatics, hikers, climbers, ranchers, and all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts have attended and become friends over the years prior. 

 

 

Q: Where is the Conference Held?
A: The Conference is held in Oklahoma on a 440 Acre working cattle ranch between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, just south of Keystone Lake by the intersection of OK HWY 33 & 48 between Bristow and Mannford.

 

 

Q: What is the venue like? 
A: This is a conference held entirely outdoors on a working Oklahoma cattle ranch. We have pastures, hills, fields, and forests, creeks, streams, and ponds. The property is filled with wildlife and livestock. Conference attendees are encouraged to camp onsite in their own tents, sleeping bags under the stars, truck beds, RVs, stay at a local hotel, or commute in. 

 

 

Q: Vibe-check? 

A: Our relaxing weekend filled with educational activities is pretty fun-filled, laid-back, respectful, enjoyable, educational, with great networking, amazing people, good times and even better company of friends and like-minded people seeking knowledge, fun, and adventure. 

 

 

Q: What is the food like? 
A: The food is different every year, and in our opinion, has always been quite spectacular. In the past, we have had gourmet executive chefs who have cooked for presidents, royalty, and at five-star restaurants prepare food in an entirely outdoor kitchen, and it has never failed to impress. While we will miss our amazing executive chefs Rosie and Joe in Pennsylvania, we look forward to a new flavor brought to us by our Oklahoma culinary experts. 

 

 

Q: What are the "Facilities?"
A: This is a rustic outdoor event, but we will take care of your "creature comforts."  We have a "2-hole/ outdoors" men's latrine, portable restrooms (Port-a-pots) and an outdoor sink for washing hands and brushing teeth. We will plan to have outdoor showers. We will also have a hose available for anyone wanting to do a quick "military shower." We also have a water fountain to fill up your favorite beverage container.

 

 

Q: What about parking? 

A: This is a rural Oklahoma ranch down a gravel road. The property is gated; the gate will open early in the morning, and close in the evening. Parking will be near the gate, and participants will be expected to walk about ¼ mile to the main conference area. There will be no driving past the parking area or through the main conference area for the safety and enjoyment of all participants. While you can make multiple trips to and from your car if you so choose, attendees will be expected to hike to and from the main conference area. We will have shuttles to and from the parking area if needed.

 

 

Q: What is camping like? 

Most attendees camp in tents or hammocks. There will be plenty of camping areas near the parking areas, around the main conference area, and further back into the wilderness for those feeling more adventurous. Camping will be on grass, in the woods, on sand, or in your car for those who prefer truck-bed camping or have rooftop tents. DO NOT CAMP BY THE CREEK. When it rains, the creek can rise 6-8 feet, and the water moves so fast, it can wash away a car. We will have prepared camping areas with trails to and from the conference center, and unprepared camping areas for those who wish to find their own. 

 

 

Q: What about campfires or fire pits?

A: We will have plenty of fire-starting workshops, campfires, fire pits and bonfires for you to enjoy. We strongly encourage you to hang out, congregate and socialize around these lovely fires. However, for the safety of all individuals, any fires near your personal campsites or off in the woods or fields, not expressly authorized by, maintained, supervised, and extinguished by official conference staff are STRICTLY PROHIBITED. We have zero desire to have to evacuate due to wildfire or be the start of any wildfire from a campfire accidentally gone wild. 

 

 

Q: Are children welcome at this event?

A: We genuinely love our families and young adventurers, but this inaugural Oklahoma conference will be for individuals 15+ years and older. All minors Ages 15-17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and it is that adult’s responsibility to ensure the behavior of the minor is polite, respectful, and appropriate for a professional medical conference.

 

If you have a young child who cannot yet walk, and you wish to attend while you care for that child, so long as you manage their voice so as not to disturb those speaking or attending, we welcome and praise new parents continuing to care for new additions to their family while adventuring with us.

 

The kids’ survival/outdoor skills course, which we have hosted in the past, is a tremendous undertaking, and so rewarding for us to put on; unfortunately, we will not be offering it this year. We plan to reinstate it as soon as we get enough interest, support, and qualified volunteers to put on this course for those of us with young adventurers. It is geared towards children aged 10-16, however we have had well-behaved little adventurers as young as 7 years old thrive in this course. We found that older teens 15+ prefer to sit in on the main course.

 

 

Q: What about pets such as dogs? 

A: While we love all our furry friends, unfortunately, we cannot allow outside pets onto the property for liability reasons and for the safety of our participants. It would not be the first time that two dogs who have never gotten in a fight decided to try it out, and someone who tried to help ended up needing medical care and a tetanus shot. No matter how tame and docile your pet, service animal, therapy animal, or best friend is, the answer is unfortunately still no; they cannot attend with you. 
 

Q: What is the tobacco and drug policy for this event?
A: We strive to maintain a safe, family friendly environment for all attendees, including children, instructors, and guests with medical sensitivities.

Wild Med has historically been and will continue to be a tobacco and drug-free event. Yes, this includes everything from cigars to mushrooms.

Marijuana is not permitted in any form, regardless of medical card status, nor are any illegal drugs, intoxicating substances, or substances that impair judgement. Possession or use of prohibited substances may result in immediate removal from the event without a refund. 

Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside tents, structures, barns, camping areas, dining areas, or anywhere that may expose other attendees to secondhand smoke or vapor, which includes pretty much the entire property. We have put this policy into place to not only because we care deeply about health as a teaching institution, but also to ensure respect towards your fellow participants, instructors, families, and guests. If you can see the conference, hear the conference, or smell the conference, you're not far enough, and there are plenty of places a short drive or walk away should one choose to use tobacco products.

We encourage and applaud those who are working to quit tobacco. Just think - if you've been meaning to quit, take this weekend as an opportunity to take one more step in the healthier direction, and you'll be one weekend closer to your goal by the time the conference ends! Nicotine replacement products such as Nicorette, Zyn, and NicoDerm patches (or the generic equivalents) are permitted.​

Attendees found using prohibited substances, damaging property, stealing equipment, creating safety concerns, or violating conference policies may be removed from the event without refund.

Our goal is simply to maintain a safe, respectful, and enjoyable weekend for everyone attending. 

 

Q: How are livestock and wildlife managed? 

A: The livestock are fenced and will be kept separate from the attendees. The wildlife typically keep their distance from humans and from the main conference area, but ultimately do as they please. Livestock includes, but is not limited to, Cows, Goats, Donkeys, Pigs, Chickens, etc… Wildlife includes Deer, Duck, Geese, Turkey, Hog, Bobcat, Fox, Armadillo, Possum, Raccoons, Birds, Snakes, Lizards, Frogs, Insects (ticks, spiders, scorpions, flies, mosquitoes, etc…), and most anything you might expect to encounter in the local wilderness. Please leave them alone, and if you would like a guided tour, please just ask, and we’ll do our best to facilitate a safe adventure out into the ranch to see whatever part of ranch life you desire to experience. 

 

Q: Anything special to bring?
A: If you have room, bring a nice, comfortable folding camp chair or stool. Sleeping arrangements are up to you. Bring a tent, bivy, sleeping bag & pillow, sleeping mat, or cot. Keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly. See the Packing List. 
 

Q: If I already paid, but plans change, will I be reimbursed?
A:  We understand that life happens and circumstances change.

Refunds will be available according to our published refund schedule. Registrants who cancel before the predetermined deadline will be eligible for a full refund. After that date, partial refunds are available, and closer to the conference date, unfortunately refunds are generally unavailable.

As a nonprofit organization, we make significant financial commitments for food, supplies, equipment, and event operations well before the conference begins based on the number of registrants. Once these commitments have been made, we are often unable to offer a full refund having made these investments. That said, if there are funds left over after the conference concludes, will will do our best to assist attendees whose plans changed unexpectedly. Any additional refunds issued after published deadlines are considered on a case-by-case basis and cannot be guaranteed.

 

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Up to a predetermined date, there will be a full refund, and then half refunded, and closer to the Conference date, no refund. Given that we are a non-profit and invest a lot into the conference several weeks prior to the course based on the number of registrants, we can’t offer a full refund once we make those investments. If there are funds left over at the end of the conference, we will do our best to ensure appropriate refunds for anyone whose plans changed at the last minute, to make them whole through a partial refund or full refund, but it is not guaranteed. 
 

Q: If I am on a waiting list, what are my chances of getting into the course?
A: Most folks on our waiting list in prior years have made it to the course as registered folks fail to submit payment or cancel. We did have a few folks in previous years never get off the waiting list (sorry). We have a finite capacity for this course for many reasons and cannot go past a certain limit.
 

Q: Since this is an entirely outdoor course, what happens if the weather is dangerous?
A: We have a safe location to quickly go in the event of anything dangerous. In the event of thunderstorms, we may have to delay or cancel a workshop time slot but resume on the normal schedule when the storm passes. 

 

 

Q: What about hunting, fishing, or trapping on the property?

A: These types of activities are strictly prohibited.