Just a few that we have served

USGS

USFS

NPS

The Nature Conservancy

University of Arkansas

University of the Ozarks

Ouachita Baptist Universtiy

Washington County AR SAR

Benton County AR SAR

Arkansas Canoe Club

AR Natural Heritage Comission

Ozark Natural Science Center

In  Outdoor Skills education, no matter how great the curriculum might be, it is only as good as the teachers presenting it. ALL of our instructors are professionals in their fields. To be an OSRE instructor, you have to have extensive field experience, a background in education and above average skills in your area. No "online certifications" accepted here!

Paul Shepherd

"Paul has been hiking the Ozarks with his parents since before he could walk. In 1999, his interest in hiking, climbing, and mountaineering was fired by a semester with the University of Stirling Mountaineering Club. In 2005, Paul took vacation from an engineering job to take his first Wilderness First Responder course, and in 2008, Paul left engineering to become a full-time Ski Patroller and Outdoor Educator in Vermont and Maine. He has been a National Registry EMT-B and American Canoe Association Whitewater Canoe Instructor since 2009. Paul enjoys cycling, rock-climbing, mountaineering, snowboarding, telemark skiing, and whitewater canoeing, and is a member of Washington County Search and Rescue and the Arkansas Canoe Club."

Tom Burroughs

Director, OSRE

Tom has been nationally recognized among the "Best of the Best" of Swiftwater Rescue Instructors. From his start in emergency services in 1990, through his current position as Team leader of his County's Search and Rescue team, his focus on technical skills and rescue techniques has been a lifetime passion. As a NREMT, EMT-W and MPIC, he functions as medical support on expeditions and large paddling events. Tom is an American Canoe Association L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer and an L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer. He is also an Instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission and helped develop the Small Party Assisted Rescue Curriculum. Tom's programs employ an experiential teaching style that keeps folks interested and involved.

Instructor Overview

Customers

We firmly believe in establishing long-term relationships with our customors. Once you are in the OSRE "Family" of clients, we continue to be a resource as long as you need us. Updates, new hire trainings, compliance assistance, or just a question that you would like some insight on

Service

Locations

OSRE offers courses wherever you need us. We have many years of experience bringing programs to everyplace from gravel bars on multiday river expeditions to boardrooms in downtown highrises.

We are always excited to have new challenges and can accomodate almost any situation.

Kristian Underwood

Award Winning Nature Photographer and Cartographer, Kristian is an experienced paddler and American Canoe Association Instructor. Well acquainted with the geology and topography of the Ozarks and surrounding areas, a course with Kristian turns into a very comprehensive view of where you are.