Knowledge is Protection
The heart of Mama Bear is love, deep, instinctive, and fiercely protective. It’s that natural drive parents feel to keep their children safe, prepared, and confident in the world around them. At Mama Bear Protection, we help families turn that instinct into practical, life saving skills that bring peace of mind at home and beyond. Because we believe the best protection begins with knowledge.
In West Virginia, firearms are a familiar part of daily life. While many choose to carry, others simply live and work alongside that reality. No matter where you fall, knowing how to stay safe and how to respond calmly and confidently is an essential skill for every family and community.
You don’t have to carry a firearm to benefit from safety training. Our goal is to empower parents, caregivers, individuals, and local businesses with knowledge that helps them feel prepared instead of afraid. We focus on awareness, prevention, and clear decision making when it matters most.
From simple, practical safety guidelines to personalized preparedness plans, our training is designed to meet you where you are. We create a supportive learning environment that builds confidence, not fear because when emergencies happen, confidence saves lives.
At Mama Bear Protection, we’re more than training we’re a community that believes safety is an act of love. Join us as we equip families with the knowledge, skills, and reassurance they need to protect what matters most.
Marsha Waybright is Mama Bear
Services
Knowledge is Protection
01.Women's Handgun and Self Defense Fundamentals
Discover a welcoming and engaging USCCA training course created specifically for women. With three distinct modules Women’s Basic Pistol, Women’s Intermediate Pistol and Women’s Defensive Pistol this course is designed to make you a safer, more confident gun owner, regardless of if you’re brand new to firearms or are ready to learn more about defensive shooting.
02.Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals
Whether you’re interested in applying for your concealed carry permit or you have a gun at home just in case, this USCCA program is the gold standard of firearms education. From situational awareness and safe gun handling to facing a deadly threat, you’ll learn everything you need to know to protect what matters with confidence.
03.Countering the Mass Shooter Threat
You can’t predict a random attack, but you can prepare. This USCCA course includes an analysis of data gathered from 48 mass shootings since Columbine and what role — if any — gun-free zones and background checks play in deterring violence in public and in workplaces. You’ll also learn about the “Run, Hide, Fight” methodology and what you can do to stop or survive an active shooter situation.
04.Reality Based Training Simulations
In this simulation training class, you’ll be put in realistic situations that challenge your natural reaction to threats AND allow your instructor to give you feedback in real time! This training benefits everyone, regardless of experience level, whether you’re working to sharpen a specific skill or just starting out on your self-defense journey.
05.Children's Firearms and Safety Fundamentals
Educating children on firearms isn’t something we should leave to just anyone. This class helps teach parents how to talk to their kids about firearms. Specifically designed for ALL age groups and helps make safety a family priority.
06.Church Security Training; Creating a Plan
We all pray we’ll never have to face violence, but sometimes it walks through the front door even in a place where we should feel safe. This class specifically addresses the challenges and potential threats that houses of worship face and helps you learn how to recognize danger, build a security plan and identify weak points at your facility in order to mitigate overall risk to your congregation.
07.Real Estate Agent Safety
Real estate agents face a significant risk of being attacked while on the job, so how are you protecting yourself? We recognize the unique danger associated with your career, which is why we’re offering a new real estate agent safety mini class. Contact us today for more details or to get signed up!
08.Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals
As someone committed to protecting life, you should also be prepared to preserve it if the unthinkable happens. Learn how to assess and respond to medical emergencies like serious bleeding, chest injuries, a compromised airway, spinal injuries, broken bones and more. This USCCA course is dedicated to helping you get an injured person safely to the emergency room.
09.American Red Cross First-Aid/AED/CPR
American Red Cross Accredited Course meets OSHA and workplace requirements. Upon signing up for the course, you will receive a unique online learning link through email that confirms the "seat" purchased. Once you complete the course, you will have the ability to choose the date and time to meet with an instructor for a virtual skills test evaluation. After passing, you will receive a 2-year digital certificate from American Red Cross certifying your successful training.
Good in all of the US
West Virginia Hunter Education
We offer the Hands-On and Written Test: This allows you take part of the class online and part of the class in person and then take the test.
We do not offer the Traditional Hunter Education at this time, which is a two day in person only class then you take the test.
Topics include gun safety, wildlife management, survival/first aid, game identification, and how to hunt safely and ethically. Below is a link to all classes available in West Virginia. Students who have not reached their 10th birthday by the written test date of the class will not receive a permanent hunter education certification. Below is a link to all classes available in West Virginia.
Step 1
Complete the Online Portion
Click here to go to the NRA website
This course is FREE to complete online. After finishing the online portion please print your certificate of completion from the online course and bring a paper copy with you on the day of testing. Printed copy of certificates must be presented in order to receive your card. If you do not bring a printed certificate of completion, a card will not be issued.
Step 2
Register For The In Person Class
You must register for the hands-on and written test, which takes approximately four hours.
Please watch for events hosted at Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast, or sponsored by Mama Bear Protection and the West Virginia School of Traditional Skills. Click the link below to register and select the date and location that best fit your schedule for both the written and hands-on portions of the examination. Do not forget to bring a paper copy of your certificate of completion for the online portion of the class! Click Here to go to the WVDNR website
Step 3
Show Up!
Show up for the class that you sign up for with your printed certificate proving that you completed the online portion.