Courses
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Welcome to our training program!
The Interpretive Guides Association offers a series of training courses and exams designed to provide guides with skills and knowledge to effectively communicate our unique local natural and cultural heritage to park visitors. We provide training focused on sharing the natural and cultural heritage of the mountain national parks for hiking guides, museum interpreters, bus tour guides, information centre staff, rafting guides, horse packing guides, scuba guides, mountain guides and anyone interested in learning more about the Rockies. We also offer group management training for interpretive hiking guides.
Our courses range from 4hrs – 40 hrs in length to suit the needs of different individuals from mountain enthusiasts to professional guides. Our public courses are scheduled in May, June, November and February each year and are available in English, French, and Japanese.If you have a group of 10 or more we may be able to schedule a private course to fit your schedule. Please explore these pages to learn more about our courses and certification options for interpretive guides and interpretive hiking guides.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Please read our Cancellation & Refund Policy if you are planning to sign up for this course.
If you cancel three weeks before the course starting date, you will receive a full refund minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel two weeks before the course starting date, you will receive a 50 percent refund minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel with less than 2 weeks notice no refund will be issued. The interpretive Guides Manual costs $45 for members. If you received a copy of the manual as part of your course fees the $45 fee will be subtracted from any refund amount.
If you are sick on one or more days of the course you must prove your sickness (i.e. a doctors note) and get in touch with the instructor immediately. We will place you in an alternate course if we have space available, otherwise you will need to re-register and pay.
If the Interpretive Guides has to cancel a course due to low numbers, you will have the choice of being given a full refund or transferring your registration for another course.
Select a course to register for
| FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS | |
| 40 hour Wilderness First Aid March 2019 40 hour Wilderness First Aid March 2019 - Jasper Cost: $375 plus GST Dates: March 11 - 14, 2019 Times: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily Location: Jasper Museum - Jasper, Alberta This 40 hour Wilderness First Aid course provides individuals with comprehensive first aid and CPR techniques. It is a more appropriate and recommended level of training for individuals working as hiking guides, allowing you to respond to emergencies in isolated or wilderness settings. The course covers material in Standard First Aid & CPR, plus advanced strategies for providing extended care for more than 24 hours. Part of the course is taught in an outdoor setting and requires greater physical activity and endurance than typical first aid training. If you do not have time to take all 4 days you can also sign up for the first two days to receive the 20 hour Wilderness and Remote First Aid certificate. Contact Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org if you have questions. | Register Now |
| 40 hour Wilderness First Aid February 2019 40 hour Wilderness First Aid February 2019 - Canmore Cost: $375 plus GST Dates: February 1-4, 2019 Times: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily Location: TBA - Canmore, Alberta This 40 hour Wilderness First Aid course provides individuals with comprehensive first aid and CPR techniques. It is a more appropriate and recommended level of training for individuals working as hiking guides, allowing you to respond to emergencies in isolated or wilderness settings. The course covers material in Standard First Aid & CPR, plus advanced strategies for providing extended care for more than 24 hours. Part of the course is taught in an outdoor setting and requires greater physical activity and endurance than typical first aid training. If you do not have time to take all 4 days you can also sign up for the first two days to receive the 20 hour Wilderness and Remote First Aid certificate. Contact Wendy Niven at courses@interpretiveguides.org if you have questions. | Register Now |
| French Apprentice Interpreter February 2019 French Apprentice Interpreter February 2019 Date: February 22/23, 2019 Times: Day 1 - 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Day 2 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Test from 6 - 7 pm *You must receive 70% or more on all 5 sections of the test to become accredited* Location: Interpretive Guides Association office, Suite 203, 820 Main St. Canmore Cost: $350 plus GST ***PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE INFO:
**If you plan to work as a hiking guide you will also need to take our group management course. With both courses, you will become certified by us as an apprentice hiking guide. | Register Now |
| Apprentice Interpreter February 2019 Apprentice Interpreter February 2019 Date: February 16/17, 2019 Times: Day 1 - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Day 2 - 9;00 am - 5:00 pm, Test from 6 - 7 pm *You must receive 70% or more on all 5 sections of the test to become accredited* Location: Interpretive Guides Association office, Suite 203, 820 Main St. Canmore Cost: $350 plus GST ***PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE INFO:
**If you plan to work as a hiking guide you will also need to take our group management course. With both courses, you will become certified by us as an apprentice hiking guide. | Register Now |
| Group Management 4-Season Supplement Jasper March 2019 This course is available to individuals who already have a group management certification in good standing. It will allow you to guide in all 4 seasons.
Dates: March 15-16, 2019
**** PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE DETAILS: There is homework to complete before this course. This homework and the course manual will be sent as soon as you register and pay for the course. Please read through everything thoroughly and send us a copy of your first aid and hiking resume as soon as possible. | Register Now |
| 4-Season Group Management Jasper March 2019 Our 4-Season (winter) Group Management Course will train you to understand the requirements to guide and manage a group in all conditions. By passing this course you will be certified to guide groups in all 4-seasons throughout this region. Dates: March 15-17, 2019 | Register Now |
| Group Management 4-Season Supplement Canmore February 2019 This course is available to individuals who already have a group management certification in good standing. It will allow you to guide in all 4 seasons.
Dates: February 21-22, 2019
**** PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE DETAILS: There is homework to complete before this course. This homework and the course manual will be sent as soon as you register and pay for the course. Please read through everything thoroughly and send us a copy of your first aid and hiking resume as soon as possible. | Register Now |
| 4-Season Group Management Canmore February 2019 Our 4-Season (winter) Group Management Course will train you to understand the requirements to guide and manage a group in all conditions. By passing this course you will be certified to guide groups in all 4-seasons throughout this region. Dates: February 18-20, 2019 | Register Now |
| Professional Interpreter Oral Exam (all languages) This session is open to people who have already taken the Professional Interpreter Course but have not yet taken this exam Cost: $65 plus gst Please email Tracey Gage at info@interpretiveguides.org before registering to make sure she has a date available for you to complete this exam. ***All oral outlines must be submitted to the IGA's Executive Director as soon as registration is complete. All individuals taking this test must be a valid member of the IGA in good standing. | Register Now |
| Parks Canada Volunteers Basic program Special admin fee for Parks Canada volunteers. Special admin fee for Parks Canada volunteers. | Register Now |
| Basic Online Course - Jasper The on-line Basic Knowledge Course covers the same content and is the same cost as the in-person course. The on-line version is best viewed with a high-speed internet connection, but it is possible to view with a dial-up connection. You may complete this course over a couple of days or sittings if you wish. You can also stop the course at any time to take a break, or get a snack! Cost: $89 plus GST | Register Now |
| Basic Online Course - Banff The on-line Basic Knowledge Course covers the same content and is the same cost as the in-person course. The on-line version is best viewed with a high-speed internet connection, but it is possible to view with a dial-up connection. You may complete this course over a couple of days or sittings if you wish. You can also stop the course at any time to take a break, or get a snack! Course Cost: $89 plus GST | Register Now |