WILDERNESS MENTOR GUIDE

Facilitate powerful experiences.

Do you seek to give your guests a meaningful experience? In this Wilderness Mentor Guide Training Program, you will learn what it takes to empower your guests by providing them with opportunities to face challenges, learn new skills and be a leader.
ENROLL
Wilderness Mentor Guide Training in the Mountains

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction to all Courses

  • 2

    Personal Development

    • Introduction

    • Your Interest Identifier

    • Your Goal Identifier

    • Your Purpose Identifier

    • Your Mission Statement

    • Start of Training Program Self-Assessment
  • 3

    Nature Connection

    • Introduction

    • Nature Meditation

    • Nature Journal

    • The Benefits of Nature

    • Five Benefits of Nature

    • Horses Bring you Closer to the Wilderness

    • Practicing Gratitude for Nature

    • Your Impact on Nature

    • Excerpt: Last Child in the Woods

    • Nature Connection Reflection Exercise
  • 4

    Conservation and Stewardship

    • Introduction

    • Introduction to the Wilderness Stewardship Foundation

    • Local Geography and Geology

    • Local Ecology and Biodiversity

    • Flora of the South Chilcotin Mountains

    • Fauna of the South Chilcotin Mountains

    • Data Administration

    • Wildlife Tracking and Observation

    • Wildlife Population Counts

    • DNA Collection

    • Invasive Species and Treatment
  • 5

    Safety and Wilderness Awareness

    • Introduction

    • Wilderness Safety and Survival

    • Basic First Aid

    • Bites, Stings and Allergic Reactions

    • Frostbite and Hypothermia

    • Thunderstorms and High Winds

    • Calling for Help

    • Safety Around Horses

    • Bear Behaviour and Habitat

    • Bear Identification

    • Bear Safety Video

    • Bear Defence

    • Cougar Defence

    • Mountain Bikers on the Trail

    • Wasps

    • Safety Reflection Exercise

    • Bear Safety Reflection Exercise

    • Course Reflection Worksheet
  • 6

    Working with Horses

    • Introduction

    • Knots

    • Riding Equipment

    • Getting your Guest and their Horse Ready for the Ride

    • Saddling and Bridling the Horse

    • Saddling and Bridling Video

    • Shoeing

    • Shoeing Video

    • Leading a Pack Horse

    • Packing

    • Packing Video

    • Staking, Hobbling and Belling

    • Transporting Horses

    • Bareback Riding

    • Riding Bareback Video

    • Shoeing Reflection Exercise

    • Packing Reflection Exercise

    • Riding Reflection Exercise

    • Course Reflection Worksheet
  • 7

    Horse Training and Vet Care

    • Introduction

    • Basic Horse Training

    • Introducing New Horses to the Herd

    • Packing New Horses

    • Riding New Horses

    • Basic Health and Preventative Vet Care

    • Teeth Floating

    • De-Worming Horses

    • Common Illnesses and Injuries

    • Horsemanship

    • Horse Care Reflection Exercise

    • Course Reflection Worksheet
  • 8

    Mentor Guiding

    • Introduction

    • What is a Wilderness Mentor Guide?

    • What does it Mean to be a Leader as a Wilderness Mentor Guide?

    • How to Choose a Horse for your Guest

    • Map Orientation

    • Riding Equipment Checklist

    • Trail Care and Maintenance

    • Meadow Condition Evaluation

    • Guest Paperwork

    • Leadership Reflection Exercise

    • Course Reflection Worksheet
  • 9

    Wilderness Camping

    • Introduction

    • Grocery Pack Up

    • Duffel Bags

    • Time Management at Camp

    • Horse Care at Camp

    • Tent Set Up

    • Safe Food Use

    • Food Storage

    • Cooking at Camp

    • Wood Splitting

    • How to Make a Fire

    • Wild Harvest Philosophy

    • Course Reflection Worksheet

    • Cooking and Cleaning at Camp Reflection Exercise
  • 10

    The Ecotourism and Travel Industry

    • Introduction

    • Licences to Operate an Eco-Tour Business

    • Regional and Provincial Associations and Organizations in the Eco-Tourism Industry

    • Firearm Safety

    • Firearm Safety Reflection Exercise

    • Course Reflection Worksheet
  • 11

    Graduation

    • Introduction

    • Graduation Reflection Exercise

    • Your Interest Identifier

    • Your Goal Identifier

    • Your Purpose Identifier

    • Your Mission Statement

    • End of Training Program Self-Assessment

What is the Wilderness Training Academy?

For 30 years, our partners Chilcotin Holidays and the Wilderness Stewardship Foundation have been operating in the South Chilcotin Mountains, passionately integrating our Three Pillar philosophy of Personal Development, Nature Connection and Conservation and Stewardship into all that they do. As the foundation of our philosophy, these Three Pillars shape our content to create a transformational experience for you.
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