EVENT DETAILS

Do you want to work as a guide in the Canadian Rockies?

The Ladies Alliance and the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) have partnered to offer you the opportunity to become a certified guide in the Canadian Rockies.

When: April 25-28

Where: Canmore, Alberta

What: IGA Apprentice Interpreter and Group Management Course (become certified as an Apprentice Hiking Guide)

Cost: $624 plus Gst (apply for our scholarship to get your course fees reimbursed)

What’s included: Course manuals, 1-year membership with the Interpretive Guides Association, testing fees, certification, field trips, pro-deals with outdoor gear suppliers.

This 4-day course will take place in Canmore (location TBA - most likely the IGA office) and will be open to woman with TLA and/or any interested woman who want to work as a hiking guide in the mountains.

Course info: The apprentice hiking guide course brings together two of the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) most popular courses - the Apprentice Interpreter course and the Group Management course. In the Apprentice Interpreter course you will learn about the geology, ecology, history and management of our mountain parks and then discover how to communicate that information in a fun, meaningful and engaging way. On the last two days of this program you will learn things like proper pacing, risk management, trip preparation and group management techniques that will ensure the experience you provide for your guests is safe, comfortable and sets the required foundation for inspirational outdoor experiences!

What you will get after completing these two courses:

After you have passed each course you will become certified as an Apprentice Hiking Guide.
This certification will allow you to work as a hiking guide in both the National and Provincial parks of the Rocky Mountains (In the National parks you must work under a professional hiking guide).

Course prerequisites:
1. It is important that you come to the course with a minimum basic understanding of how to use a compass while on trail.
2. Minimum standard (16 hour) first aid certification (40 hour wilderness first aid recommended)
3. Minimum 5-days of hiking experience in the Rockies area (you will be required to send in a hiking resume to show this experience).
4. You must be female to take this course (members of the Ladies Alliance or other woman who would like to join a rad group of woman working to be guides).

Testing:
Apprentice Interpreter course: A 1-hour written test is given at the end of day 2.
You must receive a minimum of 70% on each section of the test to become certified.
Group management course - On trail skills will be assessed and evaluated by your instructors on day 2. You will have to show that you can safely guide people on the trail and provide them with a meaningful, enjoyable experience.

Plus: Write In for a Chance to Win a Full Scholarship to cover your course fees!!

The IGA is offering a Scholarship for 1 lucky lady who is a current member of The Ladies Alliance: (we should have a link to your site for this purpose).

If you are a member of The Ladies Alliance and would like to have your course fees reimbursed read below and apply today!

How to apply: 
After you have registered and paid for the course, send us a letter explaining the following:
1. Why you want to guide?
2. Why is certification important to you and the guiding industry?
3. What do you hope to do with this certification?
4. As a certified IGA hiking guide, what will you do to represent the IGA and the interpretive guiding community?
5. Why do you think it is important to get woman into the outdoors?
6. Why should you be chosen for this scholarship? 

Send completed applications into Tracey Gage at executivedirector@interpretiveguides.org

To learn more about the Interpretive Guides Association and all the courses and benefits we offer please click here: https://interpretiveguides.org