Employment for Raft Guides
“The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of (wo)men.”
– Mark Twain
Raft 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. Raft 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.
Fill out the staff application to apply.
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 2025:
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, they 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, Saturdays & Sundays
Session 1: April 26, 27, May 3, 4, 10, and 11
Session 2: May 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and June 1st
Session 3: June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22
Session 4: July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Weekday Sessions: 8am – 5 or 6pm, Monday – Friday
Session 1: April 14 – 18
Session 2: May 12 – 16
Session 3: May 19 – 23
Session 4: May 26 – 30
Session 5: June 2 -6
Session 6: June 16 – 20
Session 7: June 30 – July 4
Session 8: July 7 – 11
*Schedules may change based on number of participants and availability.
