Education
Our membership is composed of a diverse selection of professional guides who are committed to providing safe, educational, and meaningful outdoor experiences for our guests. MWGO is the leading organization in offering guide training and development opportunities for the professional guide and those preparing to take the Maine Guide exam. All MWGO guides have made a commitment to maintain qualifications and standards higher than those required by the state. MWGO supports both initial and ongoing education for Guides by providing our own workshops and training sessions, sponsoring and advertising workshops and training sessions through our supporting members and businesses, and sponsoring and supporting training opportunities through partner organizations and agencies.
MWGO firmly believes that every Guide should maintain current Wilderness First Aid certification, or higher. Several of our Supporting Business members provide or host multiple opportunities each year for Guides to take both initial and recertification courses in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Be sure to check our Events page to find out when the next WFA/WFR courses are being held.
Additionally, MWGO and its supporting members and businesses host a wide array of workshops and training opportunities each year targeted to aspiring guides, recently certified guides, and experienced guides. These training opportunities include field skills and test preparation courses, winter guide training, river guide training, swift water rescue, guiding fly fishing clients, indigenous history and culture, business management workshops, and more. These opportunities are listed on our Events page and are also featured in our newsletter sent monthly to our membership. Be sure to check our Events page for a calendar of these events and join MWGO to receive our monthly newsletter.
MWGO is also a sponsor of the Maine Canoe Symposium, held annually in June. The symposium encourages participants of all ages to develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of North American canoeing heritage and to develop canoeing and related skills through educational workshops, presentations, and hands-on instruction. Not only is MWGO a sponsor of this event, but several of our members are presenters or instructors for some of the symposium events.