Emergency Management For the Backcountry
Eagle Creek Wilderness Academy is a fully insured Limited Liability Company that prepares individuals and groups to navigate the outdoors safely and responsibly.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between social media expectations and wilderness reality, serving those who seek proficiency in the most demanding situations.
Data-Driven Research
Analyzing data from past rescue related incidents that have occurred in the backcountry are one of the most effective ways to build our relevant, real-world, and high-impact curriculum.
Reality Based Fieldwork
Immersive, scenario-based instruction delivered directly within authentic backcountry ecosystems.
Data Infused Smart Training
We use longitudinal data to understand the causes of backcountry rescues. We examine trends and identify common patterns to improve our training. We also study individual incidents and build training scenarios based on them. As new trends emerge, we are routinely adjusting our curriculum to addresses those data points.
It comes as little surprise that inadequate preparation often plays a decisive role in how these situations unfold. Environmental conditions and terrain-specific challenges are common, but can escalate rapidly, creating a cascade of compounding risks that quickly overwhelm the unprepared. A lower extremity injury can cause tragic consequences for someone who is not trained to deal with such in remote settings.
We turn this data into clear, practical lessons. From there, we build step-by-step skills using repetition and real-world practice - so students can perform with confidence when it matters most.
Who are our clients?
Our clients come from diverse backgrounds, yet they are united by a shared commitment to growth, preparedness, and personal responsibility.
Whether they are preparing for a mission trip, a thru-hike, or simply seeking to make the most of a day on the trail, each individual arrives with the same underlying purpose: to become more capable, more self-aware, and better stewards of the wilderness.
We are intentional in fostering an environment that is both inclusive and supportive—one where every participant feels welcomed, respected, and capable.
Even as training becomes physically and mentally demanding, no one is left to face challenges alone. There is always a network of encouragement, guidance, and shared purpose.
As confidence grows, so does the willingness to step beyond comfort zones. In that process, our clients not only develop practical skills, but also a deeper sense of resilience and self-trust. By the end of their experience, it is common for them to leave not only more prepared—but also with meaningful connections and friendships that endure long after the training concludes.
Eagle Creek Wilderness Academy (ECWA) is a Midwest based outdoor training organization dedicated to help prepare individuals and groups to safely enjoy the outdoors. Our curriculum bridges the gap between theory and reality through two specialized pillars: Backcountry Training Systems, focusing on foundational skills and emergency response; and Frontcountry Training Systems, offering instruction in outdoor wellness and specialized training niches.
Our systems are customized to the needs and requirements of the client(s) and are easily adaptable to individuals regardless of age or experience.
Backcountry Training Systems
Emergency Wilderness Skills
Backcountry Medical Response
Leave No Trace Instructor Level 1
Training covering emergency shelters, fire making skills, water purification and resource management in diverse ecological environments.
Everything from high-stakes trauma care to minor first-aid medical protocols tailored for remote locations where professional help is delayed.
**** Coming Summer 2026***
Land Navigation
Backcountry Communication Protocols
Backpacking: Couch to 75K
Master map reading, compass work, and terrain association to navigate the deep wilderness without GPS or cellular signals.
Conduct hands-on, scenario-based training with Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs),two-way radios and emergency signaling methods.
Our new for 2026 program that incorporates all of our backcountry training programs integrated into several backpacking trips.
Frontcountry Training Systems
Wilderness Yoga
Equestrian Training
Physical Surveillance
***Coming Fall 2026***
We partner with a women-ran equestrian led training center to bring you the best training in the Midwest.
Discrepant observational techniques and fieldcraft for gathering intelligence in zero-footprint open settings.
The Team
Lauren Magee PhD
Dr. Magee is a recognized expert in public health, safety, and firearms violence research, focused on using data-driven solutions that help government and individuals prevent, minimize, and respond effectively to dangerous situations. She combines her professional expertise with her passion for the outdoors to create a practical, research based curriculum for our clients.
In addition to her research work, Dr. Magee is a Saddleseat Horseback Riding Instructor, Reiki & Yoga Instructor, and a lifelong runner.
MJ Stevenson
MJ has over 27 years experience as public safety professional, with a majority of that time as a covert skills instructor. MJ specializes in developing individuals and small teams to perform confidently and effectively in high-stress environments through immersive, reality-based training. Guided by the belief the most important piece of gear is your mind, helps MJ focus on building practical skills in a realistic, but fun and welcoming environment.
MJ is a CPR/First Aid Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, FLETC TCCC Instructor, NASAR Ground Searcher and has completed a variety of Wilderness Survival Programs.
We routinely partner with organizations and individuals who are recognized subject matter experts in their respective fields. This collaboration ensures that our clients receive training from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced instructors available. In addition, every employee and adjunct instructor who works with us and our clients, have been carefully vetted, background checked, and selected not only for their expertise, but also for their professionalism, integrity, and commitment to safety. Each member of our instructional team demonstrates the high moral character and dedication required to not only know the subject matter but provide a safe, enriching learning environment for our clients.
Send us a Field Note
READY TO TRAIN?
Reach out to discuss customized training systems or upcoming backcountry programs. Our team is ready to prepare you for any environment.