MWGO guide members are strongly encouraged to keep their first aid and CPR certification current and to periodically work to upgrade their skills as guides. To that end, MWGO sponsors ongoing Maine Guide Training Workshops offered throughout the year.

We recognize the need for guides to have access to professional development opportunities. Within the recreational guide classification, the skills required are so diverse (at least 9 different outdoor activities are in this category) that it is unlikely any type of test could adequately assess a guide's abilities. Additionally, some guides may start guiding primarily one type of activity but then diversify into another activity or season of guiding. Guide Training Workshops are an important resource for professional guides to use in order to maintain or improve their skills. Workshops are taught by experienced Guides and Master Guides (except for first aid) and are offered at very reasonable rates. Guides with special expertise are encouraged to offer workshops. For more information on how to offer a Guide Training Workshop, contact Kevin Slater or Greg Shute.

Coming Opportunities:

Wilderness First Aid with SOLO
Dates: October 29-30, 2011
Mahoosuc Lodge
Newry, Maine
Cost: $215 or $205 for Registered Maine Guides. CPR is $35.

The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends and outdoor groups. It also meets the ACA guidelines. The WFA is 16 hours long (two days), and focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal injuries, environmental emergencies, survival skills, soft tissue injuries, and medical emergencies. Course starts at 8 a.m. on October 29th and ends at 4 p.m. on October 30th. CPR available Fri. evening. This can be a WRF recert as well. Cost includes accommodations and meals. Contact Polly or Kevin to register at: 207.824.2073 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Winter Guide Training
December 15-18, 2011
Mahoosuc Lodge
Newry, Maine
Cost: $375MWGO members, $500 Non members (commuter rate available)

This workshop is designed to cover the skills needed to safely guide in the winter. Whether you are guiding snowmobile, dog sled, ski or snowshoe/toboggan trips there are a lot of skills required of a guide that are specific to the winter environment.
The following topics will be covered in depth:

Hypothermia - recognition, prevention, treatment
Frostbite - recognition, prevention, treatment
Ice Reading - characteristics, formation, safe route selection
White-out navigation - map & compass, GPS, traditional Inuit techniques
Minimal Equipment - for any type of winter travel - human powered or snowmobiles
Snow machine Travel - off trail, freighting loads with quamotiks & toboggans, dealing with slush, the "well outfitted" snow machine, tow ropes vs. tow bars
Winter bivouac - Spending a night out with the clothes on your back, snow & bough shelters
Client Concerns - Looking after your ³sports² in the winter
Winter Camping Techniques - Setting up a safe, dry, warm traditional winter camp, fire building with and without matches
Dog & Human Powered Travel - Depending on snow/ice conditions we will also cover the basics of snowshoe and dog team use.
 

Tracking Workshop
April 27-29, 2012
Mahoosuc Lodge
Newry, Maine
See flier for cost

Click here for details



Intro to White Water Canoe - Tandem
June 16-17, 2012
Newry, ME
Cost $250.00 MWGO member, $350.00 non-member
This course is designed for people with little or no white water canoeing experience. It is also highly recommended for anyone who has no formal training in white-water technique. Price includes lodging, meals and paddling equipment. A $100.00 deposit is required to hold a space. A packet will be sent out after your deposit is received. Participants are asked to arrive by 7pm Friday. The course will cover the following topics: canoe design and handling properties, white water strokes, white water equipment, safety, self rescue, group management, throw bag use, river hazards, river reading and scouting, paddle signals, maneuvers including eddy turns, peel outs, ferries, side slips, and surfing. For more information contact Kevin Slater at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 207-824-2073

Past training opportunities

River Guide Training
Dates: 5/4-5/8, 2012
East Branch Penobscot River
Cost: $650.00, $550.00 for MWGO members

The focus of the Maine River Guide Training is on how to safely lead and manage groups on technical rivers during canoe trips. Technical rivers are defined as having Class 2 and above rapids and/or mandatory portages around falls or rapids. This is not a white water skills clinic. Participants should be comfortable and competent in class 2 and above white water. You should be able to ferry, eddy out, peel out, etc. anywhere in a set of rapids in this level of difficulty. Major topic area to be covered are two fold:
•Information you, as a guide, need to cover before taking clients into a white water situation
•Information you as a guide need to have relating to group management techniques, safety considerations, protection strategies for rapids, and judgment/decision making

PRIMARY TOPICS TO BE COVERED: River safety briefing, Self rescue, Objective River hazards, Throw bags, Sample stroke lessons, Sample river maneuvers lesson, Ferries, Eddy turns, Peel outs, Eddy sets, Offensive vs. defensive paddling techniques, Sample river reading lesson, Eddies, Eddy lines, White waves, Dark waves, V's,
Info, to, have in her/his head

1. Group management skills for approaching major rapids, major portages, for easier river stretches (class 2 or below)
2. Protection systems for major rapids, timing, throw bags, boat based
3. Portage organizing, tumplines, one/two person lifts, one/two person carries
4. Lining, bridles, painter lines, canoe trim
5. Scouting from shore, from eddies
Other topics - as time and interest permits: Fly fishing, Lost clients, Map and compass, Contours and river gradients, Canoe/camping techniques, Poling upstream and snubbing, Canoe pins, avoiding, unpinning, haul systems, Knots every guide should know

Contact: Kevin or Polly at Mahoosuc
Guide Services
(207) 824-2073
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it