Employment Guides
“The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of (wo)men.”
– Mark Twain
River Guide Info
We employ a great mix of people to be raft guides including high school and college students, teachers, cabinet makers, scientists, ski resort workers, and a host of others. River Guides are an integral part of our staff and the main reason our customers come back again and again. For this reason, good people skills are very important. No prior river experience is necessary, only the willingness to learn.
We hire guides looking to work full or part-time.
Criteria for Raft Guides:
- Must be 16 years and older to begin certification
- Complete a minimum of 12 trips on the Shenandoah River and 1 check out trip.
- Obtain Red Cross Standard First Aid or its equivalent (offered on-site)
- Obtain Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR or its equivalent (offered on-site)
Raft Guide Certification Sessions:
Two trips per day is the general rule. Time spent working toward certification is not paid. Participants will pay $100 to begin the certification sessions and the First Aid & CPR certifications.
Once a participant has successfully completed the certification and is hired, she will be provided a gift certificate of $45 to our retail store toward purchasing gear. $5 will purchase 2 staff shirts. Those who do not complete the certification or do not get hired after the session will not be refunded or receive the gift certificate. Those who already have current First Aid & CPR certifications do not have to take the in-person class and may receive a larger gift certificate toward retail.
Weekend Sessions: 8am- 5 or 6pm
Saturday & Sundays: April 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st
Saturday & Sundays: May 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th
Saturday & Sundays: June 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th
Saturday & Sundays: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd
Weekday Sessions: 8am- 5 or 6pm
Monday – Friday: March 25th – 29th
Monday – Friday: April 1st – 5th
Monday – Friday: April 22nd – 26th
Monday – Friday: May 27th – 31st
Monday – Friday: June 3rd – 7th
Monday – Friday: June 10th – 14th
Monday – Friday: June 24th – 28th
Monday – Friday: July 1st – 5th
*Schedules may change based on number of participants and availability.