Guide Positions

What?

Guides are the heart of our business. You are the reason that people enjoy the trip (or not!), and come back to see us year after year. This is a very physical job, involving carrying heavy rafts and guiding the raft down the river (while providing an enjoyable experience for the guests). Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are common. You are outside in all kinds of weather, and responsible for making people who are accustomed to air-conditioning and umbrellas that it is ok, and in fact enjoyable, to be out in the heat and/or the rain.

Who?

People who are outdoor oriented, who like being outside in all kinds of weather and showing customers that heat, rain, sun and cold are all part of life! Dependability is crucial, including a willingness to work when sick and hurt. The rafts are heavy and must be carried 1/4 mile, in addition to actually guiding them down the river, so people who are physically active and have stamina do much better as guides. Please note that this in no way excludes females! We are relatively flexible on start dates, but we expect you to work through the entire summer (mid-August). The ability to work week-ends through September or October is a plus. Minimum age: 18.

Training:

It takes about a week full-time to train to become a guide. Guides without prior commercial experience must complete guide training school. Candidates for Guide at Sheltowee Trace Outfitters are given a discounted rate of $75 for the school. Once you have successfully completed the training, you are a Junior Guide and are given your throw bag and a carabiner and put on the schedule. You will need to complete a Community First Aid/CPR class, River Rescue training, and Customer Service class (and have the approval of your Trip Leaders) to become a Full Guide (G1).These classes are offered free of charge to our staff. You may have some of this training already (your certifications must be good for the entire summer) and/or or you may complete these courses elsewhere. There are higher grades of guide as well as Assistant Trip Leaders and Trip Leaders positions for those who return and who are willing to take on additional responsibility.

A special version of Guide is the Rainbow Mist Guide. This is the only guide position that we have with a lower minimum age: 16. This is an *extremely* physically demanding job. The Rainbow Mist Guide must carry the raft down 1/4 mile in the morning, paddle approximately 8 groups of people up to the Falls and back (oar-frame raft - they don′t paddle) throughout the day, and then carry the raft back up 1/4 mile afterwards. If you want a job that will keep you in shape through the summer, this is a great one! The training is significantly abbreviated for Rainbow Mist guides, taking less than a day. The season runs from mid-June through Labor Day.

Equipment:

We will provide the equipment that you need during your training. After you have started working, you will need to start to accumulate your own equipment. You will need a PFD, paddle, helmet, throw bag and carabiner. These last two items are provided at the end of the guide training. You can purchase these items through us at cost, or purchase them elsewhere. Returning guides who are upgrading their equipment are good sources of cheap gear.

Sheltowee Trace Outfitters does not discriminate with regard to sex, race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, creed, religion, or disability. Many jobs, such as shuttle driver, CDL driver, and raft guide have minimum age requirements. All applicants are subject to pre-employment drug testing.

Sheltowee Trace Outfitters P.O. Box 1060 Whitley City, KY 42653 1-800-541-RAFT (7238) fax: 1-866-FAX-RAFT (866-329-7238) e-mail: funky-rafting.com www.ky-rafting.com