ROCK SPRINGS – Wyoming residents love the outdoors but how well do you know your way around? The Sweetwater County Library System will be offering a back country navigation class.

Dick Blust from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department will be hosting a back country navigation class at White Mountain Library on July 11. Stop by the library or call 362-2665 to register.

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and Sweetwater County Library system are continuing to offer a Back Country Navigation course from June through October.

Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and Library System Director Jason Grubb said the comprehensive one-day course is scheduled at the Sweetwater County Library in Green River on August 8, the White Mountain Library in Rock Springs on July 11, the Rock Springs Library on C Street in Rock Springs on September 12, and once again at the White Mountain Library on October 3. All the days are Saturdays. The course begins at 8 a.m. and usually ends around 5 p.m..

There is no charge for the training, which is limited to 25 people per class. Those who are interested can sign up by calling the appropriate library. Handouts, maps, compasses, and GPSs are provided, but people are encouraged to bring their own gear, as well.

The course instructor, Detective Dick Blust, Jr. of the Sheriff’s Office, has trained hundreds of law enforcement officers, search and rescue personnel, and general outdoors enthusiasts in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Washington over the last 20+ years.

“The course emphasizes using map, compass, and GPS in concert, with each backing the other up,” Blust said. “Half to two-thirds of the training is in the classroom, with the rest outside on basic field exercises.”