Summer vacation. The term used to evoke images of hot sun and swims in cool water, starry nights full of laughter, Huck Finn-style adventures…Those were the days. For the modern student, summer means earning money, having educational experiences and real world learning opportunities, and exploring career options at every turn. With so much pressure during the school year, does the summer vacation have to be such a grind, too? Isn't there a way to have a productive summer while still enjoying the beauty of what vacation used to be?
Imagine yourself up before dawn. The camp is deep in slumber while you set the coffee water to boil and wander down to the river bank. A trout rises as the stars fade in the east. The rafts are lined along the beach. One of your co-workers arises and wanders down to the river beside you. "Beautiful", she says watching the sun hit the top of the canyon rim and stretching her back in one of those moments out of time before the work begins.
"I work with the best people in the world," says Erik Gilbertson, head guide at Canyon Marine in Colorado. "And the view from my office… sweet".
There are few jobs that better combine excitement, camaraderie, variety, and the outdoors, than working as a river guide in Colorado. College students make up a significant portion of the guide workforce each summer but one needs to get moving soon to secure employment.
What does it take to become a river guide? "We look at personality first and foremost," says Erik. "We can teach most people to boat so prior experience isn't necessarily that important. The question is whether this will be a good person to work with. Will they show up on time each day, pull their weight, take responsibility for themselves and their crew. How will they act when the chips are down? Some people are energized by a flipped boat, a downpour while cooking dinner, a flat tire on the trailer. Others let it mess them up. We like people who can roll with whatever happens. It's all good, you know?"
In addition to an adventurous attitude, would-be river guides need current certifications in first aid and CPR and need to complete an outfitter-sponsored training program. In Colorado, guides aren't licensed per se. Rather, outfitters (raft company owners) are required to document adequate experience and qualifying runs by guides before they can officially carry commercial passengers. Most training courses take about two weeks and include intensive instruction in reading water, steering the boats, river rescue, and camp procedures. A trainee can expect to pay $300 to $700 dollars for the experience. Some outfitters interview prospective employees first, and then train the ones they want to hire. Others offer the course to all and then select employees from the group. The better of these provide job placement assistance to the trainees they can't hire themselves.
What are your chances of landing a job if you take a training course? "Real good," says Erik. "We don't hire everyone we train but we've always located jobs for everyone who showed any ability. There are over 1000 guide jobs each season on the Arkansas River alone so your chances are pretty good."
Any tips for improving your chances? "Give it your all," says Erik. "Outfitters appreciate young guides who show up for work every day, whether they are on the schedule or not. We get walk-ins all the time so if you're there, you'll get the trip. Also, don't be afraid to show your other talents. I've known a lot of young guides who've boosted their income by helping in the shop selling retail or answering phones. People with good computer skills are a real asset too."
So what will it be? Flipping burgers? Filing papers in a law office? Pounding nails? The river is calling you. Don't miss the boat! |
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