Mild to Wild Guide Certification Classes
Guide School
Guide Certification Courses in Colorado & Utah
About Guide Instruction
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours is proud to offer a state-certified, professional, quality whitewater rafting instructional certification course for those interested in becoming professional raft guides, or those wanting to learn raft navigation and rigging. The course exceeds the state requirements of Arizona, Colorado and Utah for guide certification. We operate in Durango, Telluride, & Moab.
Due to the seasonal nature of rafting, Mild to Wild is limited to training qualified applicants who can commit to the following:
- Available for employment immediately after guide school.
- Able to work 5 days a week.
- Limits vacation days to 2 days during our peak season from June 10th to August 12th.
- No vacations during the 4th of July weekend.
- Available to work some of days off during the peak season.
Instructional Guide Courses
Who: Our 2022 Guide Certification Courses are open for anyone seeking employment with Mild to Wild for the 2022 season. An application will be required from each participant prior to the start of the course. Participants will learn both oar and paddle boat navigational skills as well as full outfitter skills.
Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age at the time of employment to guide in the state of Colorado or Utah
Where: We offer courses based out of Durango, CO or Moab, UT. Our training corresponds to the area in which the guide will spend the majority of the season. Those who are interested in working in Utah should take Moab Guide School, and those who want to work in Colorado should take Southwest Colorado Guide School.
Southwest Colorado Guide School - May Course
When: May 7th – May 22nd
Our 16-day (16 days, 14 days on water with 2 days off) comprehensive whitewater rafting guide training course will certify participants as Colorado Class III river guides. The course covers all aspects of guiding a river trip and is perfect for the person who would like to become a fully certified guide. Skills training will include leadership, group dynamics, meal preparation, crew orientation, river rescue, raft rigging, and river navigation for multi-day and single-day raft trips. Upon completion, all participants will exceed the requirements for a Colorado Class III river guide. This course includes a day and a half on the Colorado River, two days on the San Miguel, and one day on the Piedra, with the remainder of the class days on Durango’s Lower Animas River. Upon completion of the course, guides who are hired on will have the opportunity to guide in Moab, Durango, & Telluride.
Prospective students/employees MUST complete an application prior to the start of the course. You can secure your spot with payment, but Mild to Wild will be reviewing your application to ensure you will be a good fit for our company and we reserve the right to refund your money if it is determined you will not be a good fit for us.
In addition to the provisions listed above, this course also includes camping with Mild to Wild and food while camping. (Camping gear not included).
Moab Guide School - May Course
When: May 6th – May 21st
Our 16-day (16 days, 15 days on water with 1 day off) comprehensive whitewater rafting guide training course will certify participants as Colorado Class III river guides. The course covers all aspects of guiding a river trip and is perfect for the person who would like to become a fully certified guide. Skills training will include leadership, group dynamics, meal preparation, crew orientation, river rescue, raft rigging, and river navigation for multi-day and single-day raft trips. Upon completion, all participants will exceed the requirements for a Colorado Class III river guide. This course includes a day and a half on the Colorado River, two days on the San Miguel, and one day on the Piedra, with the remainder of the class days on Durango’s Lower Animas River. Upon completion of the course, guides who are hired will have the opportunity to guide in Moab in addition to assisting on legendary multi-day trips on the Colorado, Green, & Yampa rivers.
Prospective students/employees MUST complete an application prior to the start of the course. You can secure your spot with payment, but Mild to Wild will be reviewing your application to ensure you will be a good fit for our company and we reserve the right to refund your money if it is determined you will not be a good fit for us.
In addition to the provisions listed above, this course also includes camping with Mild to Wild and food while camping. (Camping gear not included).
Southwest Colorado Guide School - June Course
When: June 4th – June 19th
Our 16-day (16 days, 14 days on water with 2 days off) comprehensive whitewater rafting guide training course will certify participants as Colorado Class III river guides. The course covers all aspects of guiding a river trip and is perfect for the person who would like to become a fully certified guide. Skills training will include leadership, group dynamics, meal preparation, crew orientation, river rescue, raft rigging, and river navigation for multi-day and single-day raft trips. Upon completion, all participants will exceed the requirements for a Colorado Class III river guide. This course includes a day and a half on the Colorado River, two days on the San Miguel, and one day on the Piedra, with the remainder of the class days on Durango’s Lower Animas River. Upon completion of the course, guides who are hired on will have the opportunity to guide in Moab, Durango, & Telluride.
Prospective students/employees MUST complete an application prior to the start of the course. You can secure your spot with payment, but Mild to Wild will be reviewing your application to ensure you will be a good fit for our company and we reserve the right to refund your money if it is determined you will not be a good fit for us.
In addition to the provisions listed above, this course also includes camping with Mild to Wild and food while camping. (Camping gear not included).
Moab Guide School - June Course
When: June 4th – June 18th
Our 15-day (15 days, 14 nights on water with 1 day off) comprehensive whitewater rafting guide training course will certify participants as Colorado Class III river guides. The course covers all aspects of guiding a river trip and is perfect for the person who would like to become a fully certified guide. Skills training will include leadership, group dynamics, meal preparation, crew orientation, river rescue, raft rigging, and river navigation for multi-day and single-day raft trips. Upon completion, all participants will exceed the requirements for a Colorado Class III river guide. This course includes a day and a half on the Colorado River, two days on the San Miguel, and one day on the Piedra, with the remainder of the class days on Durango’s Lower Animas River. Upon completion of the course, guides who are hired will have the opportunity to guide in Moab in addition to assisting on legendary multi-day trips on the Colorado, Green, & Yampa rivers.
Prospective students/employees MUST complete an application prior to the start of the course. You can secure your spot with payment, but Mild to Wild will be reviewing your application to ensure you will be a good fit for our company and we reserve the right to refund your money if it is determined you will not be a good fit for us.
In addition to the provisions listed above, this course also includes camping with Mild to Wild and food while camping. (Camping gear not included).
Why Mild to Wild’s Instructional Course
- The whitewater experts for 25 years, Mild to Wild has trained hundreds of guides.
- Instructors are state certified to teach.
- Learn to read the river, not memorize the route (which changes as the water levels change).
- Learn to operate paddle rafts and oar-rigged rafts.
- Learn rescue techniques.
- We teach you to be the complete guide from guest services, safety, to rigging, to rescue, how to provide the best guest experience.
- Possibility for employment in Durango, Moab, & Telluride
- Possibility to guide legendary multi-day trips on the Colorado, Green, & Yampa rivers
Skills training will include:
- Leadership and Group Dynamics
- Guest Care, Camp and Meal Preparation
- Crew Orientation
- River Rescue
- Raft Rigging
- River Reading and River Navigation in both Oar and Paddle Boat Rafts
Upon completion of either course, you will exceed the requirements of a Class III river guide (subject to completion of separate first-aid and CPR training). These are intensive courses that emphasize skill training and personal development among the spectacular setting of deep rock canyons and river corridors.
Tuition includes state certified instructors, transportation from our meeting point, PFD (life jacket), helmet and boating equipment.
Important Considerations
- It is highly recommended that participants take advantage of our wetsuit package which includes a wetsuit, wetsuit boots, and a splash jacket. This package costs $50 for the whole course.
- Full payment is due at time of enrollment.
- Cancellation Policy: Full refund less $100 with written notice 30 days prior to class, within 30 days of the class there will be no refund for canceling.
- Completing guide school does not guarantee a job with Mild to Wild.
- We recommend arriving with current first-aid and CPR certifications.