On September 26, 2024, a school group was on an overnight field trip to the Howell Nature Center in Michigan USA, when a tree fell where a student group was learning how to make a fire. A 12-year-old boy was hit on the head by the falling tree. He was transported by helicopter to a … Read more

Viristar is pleased to present a webinar as part of the ANCA CONNECTS series hosted by the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA), where our Director, Jeff Baierlein, will lead a discussion on risk management for nature centers. Nature centers offer valuable learning experiences in the out-of-doors, but these experiences are not without risk. How … Read more

Editor’s note: for a detailed list of resources to support development of adventure safety regulation in Iceland, click here. On a sunny day in August 2024, a mass of collapsing ice fatally injured a tourist on a group tour of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier in Iceland, and seriously injured his partner. The incident led to calls … Read more

Viristar’s Director, Jeff Baierlein, will deliver a presentation on The Role of Regulation in Strengthening the Adventure Tourism Sector to members of Samtök ferðaþjónustunnar (SAF), the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, on September 25th. 

Viristar has partnered with Samtök ferðaþjónustunnar (SAF), the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, to expand access to safety education for Iceland’s travel and tourism professionals. 

Viristar is proud to renew our Affiliate Membership with FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) for the 2025-2026 membership year. This ongoing partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering safe and high-quality outdoor and experiential learning opportunities for students across Asia.

Adventure tourism continues its rapid global expansion, creating unprecedented demand for skilled professionals across all regions. The market, valued at $415.6 billion in 2024 (Market.us) and projected to reach $2 trillion by 2032 (Allied Market Research), signals a transformation in how people experience the outdoors. 

Viristar is proud to announce a new partnership with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), supporting enhanced safety for outdoor and adventure professionals. Through this collaboration, AIARE instructors and providers will receive exclusive access to Viristar’s Risk Management for Outdoor Programs training at a discounted rate.

Viristar is proud to renew our Business Affiliate membership with the International Camping Fellowship (ICF), further strengthening our commitment to improve the safety and quality outdoor experiences around the world.

The Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC) will take place this November 4 – 8, 2025 in San Diego, CA, USA. This annual event, organized by the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, brings professionals together from across the industry who facilitate participant-facing outdoor recreation.

August 25, 2024 was a sunny day with mild temperatures—seemingly perfect for an outdoor adventure. A group of 23 tourists was on a guided tour of Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, and famous for its ice caves.

33North delivers outdoor programming in Lebanon, including snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and multi-day trekking. The organization emphasizes cultural immersion, environmental sustainability, and delivering high-quality programs.