Scott Weinstien

Scott is a current member of Florida Task Force 5 (Northeast Florida’s USAR and FEMA Response Team) and a reserve officer for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He holds certifications as an Urban and Wilderness EMT, a Rope, Trench, Confined Space, Boat Operator and Collapse Structure Rescue Technician. Scott is a certified Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Technician and is a sought after Swiftwater, Rope Rescue and Boat Operator Instructor.

Scott holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid Instructor from SOLO and is an approved First Aid Afloat Instructor through the U.S. Coast Guard. He is a certified BLS and CPR instructor for the American Heart Association and a Lifeguard and Waterfront instructor for the Red Cross. Scott is a graduated of the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Search and Rescue School’s Inland SAR Planning program and many other rescue courses.

Scott loves sharing his knowledge of rescue techniques and the great outdoors. He has been privileged to work with and teach members of the U.S. military, U.S. Forestry Service, Firefighters, SAR crews, Law Enforcement, backcountry guides, the USGS, missionaries, camp counselors and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the country. Scott is also the lead instructor for the non-profit WILD edu, where he spends time teaching life skills and guiding young people and at-risk groups into the great outdoors.

Rachel Austin

Rachel is a Florida native, avid sea kayaker, and has been teaching outdoor education for over two decades. Her passion for the outdoors and adventure started as a young girl growing up exploring the Black Forest in Germany and living in a treehouse on the Big Island of Hawaii. She started her first kayak tour and expedition company in 1999 and since has led multi-day sea kayak expeditions in Gulf Island National Seashore and throughout Florida’s rivers and coastal waterways. Along with co-leading camping, whitewater rafting, hiking, and climbing trips with adults and youth throughout the Southeast.