Hawk Mountain Search And Rescue School

Hawk Mountain Ranger School has a proud history of providing outstanding SAR and emergency services training. The school is conducted outdoors in the mountains of Pennsylvania under mission field conditions and is very physically demanding. Curriculum includes but not limited to: navigation, search techniques & equipment, communication skills, woodsmanship, campsite selection & equipment, first aid, patient evacuation, specialized equipment, health & nutrition, and survival skills. In addition to the practical skills, leadership and character development also are emphasized.

All participants must be Physical Category 1 (in accordance with CAPP 60-50)

There are multiple courses available at the 2025 Hawk Mountain Ranger School:

FULL WEEK:

Apply for Full Week for any of these courses listed below

• Basic Ranger Course:
  • Open to first year students (cadet and seniors) that are just starting their path into emergency services.
• Advanced Ranger Course:
  • Open to prior Hawk Mountain students, or those with advanced GTM skills, with a desire to learn advanced search and rescue techniques.  
• Field Communicator Course Basic:
  • Students will gain familiarity of UHF, VHF & HF radios, learn mission base & field operations, remote communications relay stations, and communications equipment set up and operation. 
• Field Communicator Course Advanced:
  • Students will learn how to effectively plan and manage the communication network during search and rescue missions.
  • Participants must have graduated the Field Communicator Basic Course.
• Team Commander's Course:
  • The Ranger Team Commanders Course is a mentally and physically tasking course; teaching both cadets and seniors Team Leadership skills in the field environment.
• Incident Leader Course:
  • The Incident Leadership Course is designed for Ground Team Leaders and above wishing to grow and hone their skills as Ground Branch Directors and Planning Section Chiefs in the most challenging field environments of leading complex, hands-on search operations. 
• Independent Study

Ranger Field Medic Staff Training Course

This second year course is designed for any cadet who is interested in becoming a Ranger Team Medic. 

Applicants must have completed a previous Hawk Mountain Ranger Summer School and hold the Proficiency Grade of Ranger Second Class to be considered.  

Students will be taught ECSI’s (Emergency Care and Safety Institute) Advanced Wilderness First Aid for the initial curriculum, in conjunction with field sanitation and hygiene training for wilderness operations. Students will be instructed in preventive care for team members, trauma assessments, mass casualty triage, and the transport of patients in the field. This course is academically challenging, combining both the Cadet Advanced Course curriculum and Field Medic Training. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Field Medics and will have the opportunity to become part of Ranger Staff as a Field Medic.

Attendance at the school does not guarantee successful completion.  Students will be instructed in all subjects required for completion.  Passing a written test and skills performance evaluation is required in order to complete any courses.

Air Crew Survival Basic Course (Half Week: July 12-15)
For those with an interest in learning how to survive with just what is in your aircraft if lost in the woods.  

Air Crew Survival Advanced Course (Half Week: July 16-20)
For those looking to build on the techniques learned in the basic course with additional focus on source procurement. Must have completed Air Crew Survival Basic Course.

Staff

Apply for available staff positions at the 2025 Hawk Mountain Ranger School:

• First Time Staff Training Candidates
• Weekend Staff Training Candidates
• Recent Field Medic Graduates (Mike)
• Returning Cadet and Senior Staff

Contact for Activity: HawkMountain@cap.gov

Website for Activity: https://www.capranger.org and select "Summer School." Find us on Facebook, too.

Participants:

Completed Encampment and credit recorded in eServices at time of application
 

Staff:

Cadets:
Completed Encampment and credit recorded in eServices at time of application
Completed "Ranger Staff Training" course
 

Senior Members: 
Completed "Ranger Staff Training" course
 

Apply in Registration Zone using the links below. 
Any required documents for your application are listed below and should be uploaded to the Registration Zone application for this activity.

Apply for Hawk Mountain - Full Week here

Apply for Hawk Mountain - Field Medic Staff Training here

Apply for Hawk Mountain - Air Crew Survival - Basic here (Senior Members only)

Apply for Hawk Mountain - Air Crew Survival - Advanced here (Senior Members only)

Apply for Hawk Mountain Staff here

All staff must apply via Registration Zone in eServices, or they will not receive credit for the activity in their records. For staff applicants, you will be contacted to let you know whether or not you have not been selected. Applications will be accepted from 1 December onward.  To be considered for priority placement status, the completed application including supplemental documents must be submitted by 15 January.  In addition, accomplish the following: 

In addition, accomplish the following: 

Participants:

N/A

Staff: 

Cadets:
Note that a supplemental to the application is required.  

Senior Members: 
Note that a supplemental to the application is required.  

Important Information:

Please apply for your preferred courses in this activity in Registration Zone in eServices.

Go to the eServices CadetInvest Module and apply for Cadet Lift and Take-Off Program Cadet (TOP), to be considered for needs-based financial assistance or NCSA scholarships.  Also apply for flight scholarships. These programs are designed to offset costs associated with attending some NCSAs, as well as flight academies. They include payment of your activity fees and transportation to and from the activity. Go to the CadetInvest pages for more details. Deadline to apply for scholarships and financial assistance is 31 December. Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity. You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity. You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.  

• Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior

• Activity Director determines course objectives met

• Activity Staff will provide transportation between Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown, PA (ABE) or the Allentown, PA bus station and the activity location.

• Required Staff Training TBD