As spring approaches, it's time to refresh your training, whether for personal development or for your guides. Numerous outfitters provide in-house guide school programs, while some go the extra mile by collaborating with organizations like the IRF, ACA, and others to offer enhanced training opportunities.
Along with these options, consider the America Outdoors Managers Academy, as well as risk management opportunities from Responder Alliance, Recreation Law Group and NOLS.
If you have a training program, don't hesitate to share it with us for potential inclusion.
PDX Raft
Location: White Salmon, WA
Advanced Kayak Workshop $ 200: May 3-4
American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED: $85: May 3, May 31
Guide School: Provisional International Rafting Federation awards levels II/III: $600: May 20-24
International Rafting Federation (IRF) Workshop: Guide, Trip Leader, and Safety Kayak Certification levels II-IV : $450: June 1-3
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Recreation Law Group
Location: Remote
Digital Critical Incident Response Training
Date: Any time (asynchronous) 5-6 hours of training
Price: $179 per student
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Responder Alliance
Location: Remote
Date: Any time (asynchronous), 3-4 hours per course
Price: $135 per course
- Stress Injury Awareness for the Individual
- Incident Support for Traumatic Stress
- Psychological First Response for Rescue
- Stress Injury Awareness for the Team
Note: AO members receive a 10% discount on membership with Responder Alliance. Contact us to get more information.
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ACE Adventure Resort
International Rafting Federation (IRF) Guide and Trip Leader Workshop
Location: New, Gauley, Meadow, Cherry Rivers in West Virginia
Dates: May 27, 2024 – June 2, 2024
Price: $450 – first three days of raft guide/safety craft workshop
$750 – Includes two additional days of Trip Leader workshop
$1050 – Includes two additional days of Instructor workshop
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Cascade Raft
Swiftwater Rescue Technician Unit 1 —$485
May 17-19
June 21-23
July 19-21
August 9-11
Note: Cascade Raft offers Class III guide school and Wilderness First Aid courses. See website for details.
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Far Flung Adventures
Level 4 ACA Swiftwater Rescue Course
Location: Prado, NM
Full Course: May 17-19th
Recertification: May 19th
Price: Full 3-Day Course: $425 | ASWR Recertification: $199
Note: Far Flung also offers Paddle and oar boats guide training. See website for details
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Northwest Rafting Company
International Rafting Federation (IRF) River Guide Workshop
Location: Hood River, Oregon, USA
Dates: April 7-9th (WAITLIST ONLY) and May 21-25 - 3 or 5 days
Price: $850
Note: Also offers Class III Rowing, Class IV Rowing, Class III Safety & Rescue and custom options. See website for details.
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Northeast whitewater
Location: Shirley Mills, Maine
Registered Maine Guide Training Course: $350 materials; May 3-5
Registered Maine Whitewater Rafting Guide Training Level 1: $425; May 16-27 (2 weekends)
ACA Swiftwater Rescue: $259; May 18-19
Wilderness First Aid $209 materials; May 11-12
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Helfrich river outfitters/ desert mountain medicine
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Location: Salmon, ID
Dates: May 20-24, 2024
Cost: $825
Note: Desert Mountain Medicine has a long list of WFA, WFR, WFR Recert, and EM classes available to see here.
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NOLS
Online Risk Management Training
Location: Remote
Dates: May 7-9
Cost: $850
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America Outdoors
Managers Academy
Location: Remote
April 10-11
Cost: $245 members / $345 non-members when you register by March 15
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Strand Squared
Trauma Informed Death Notification
Location: Remote, On-demand (or custom)
Cost: $100
Note: Also available: ethics course, private DEIB course and more
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AORE
Inclusive Summit
Location: Remote
April 24
Cost: $99
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