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 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coming Opportunities:

River Guide Training
Dates: 5/5-5/9, 2010
East Branch Penobscot River
Cost: MWGO Members $450 Non-Members $575

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

Lost person scenario
Date: Thursday May 13
Time: 6:30 PM to approximately 8:00
Deadline to sign up: May 1
Fee: $20.00 ($10.00 for MWGO and AMC members)
Cabela’s store in Scarborough
Penobscot River Room 

This class is intended for outdoor trip leaders, scout leaders, guides, outing club advisors, and anyone else who will be leading groups in the back country. Topics to be covered will include pre-trip planning, conducting hasty searches, caring for the rest of the group, coordinating with authorities, conducting a formal search and an overview of lost person behavior.

Class material is drawn from local and national experts in search and rescue as well as lost person behavior. Information on how various types of outdoor recreationists statistically react when lost will also be discussed. 

Pre-registration is required as space is limited. There will be a course fee of $20.00 ($10.00 for MWGO members). To register please contact Bryan Courtois at (207) 282-3977 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Class is being taught by Bryan Courtois. Bryan is a Registered Maine Guide, board member for the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization, member of the York County Emergency Response Rescue Team, Maine Association for Search and Rescue certified Ground Searcher, Scoutmaster of Troop 310 in Saco, AMC trip leader and past instructor, senior instructor and course director for the AMC's  Mountain Leadership School. 

Payment and cancellation policy
Cost is $20.00, with a $10.00 discount for MWGO membership or with approval from the Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club Outings chair. Please send payment to Bryan Courtois, 3 Lawn Ave., Saco, ME 04072 by April 13. 

A full refund will be made if notified by May 1. After May 1 no refunds will be made.

Intro to White Water
May 28-30, 2010
Newry, ME
Cost $250.00 MWGO member, $325.00 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

Wilderness First Aid
October 30-31, 2010

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 Saturday and ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday. CPR available Sat. evening. Cost includes accommodations and meals. $215 or $205 for Registered Maine Guides. CPR is $35. 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 16-19, 2010

This workshop is designed to cover the skills needed to safely guide in the winter. Whether you are guiding snowmobile, dogsled, 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.

Location:Umbagog Lake area
Contact: Kevin Slater/Polly Mahoney - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mahoosuc Guide Service
1513 Bear River Road
Newry, ME 04261
(207) 824-2073
Cost:$300 MWGO members, $475 Non members