Riverwatch Guide Training Center

Your RiverWatch experience starts here. Our training is as distinctive as our programs. Written by river guides for river guides.

RiverWatch has been at the forefront of workforce development in the water education sector for nearly thirty years. Whether your passion lies in environmental conservation, science, eco-tourism, positively impacting children’s lives, or simply seeking an unforgettable summer job, we’re here to help you turn your aspirations into reality. We are a multidisciplinary environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to providing curriculum-based water education for junior high and high school students, supporting creek and stormwater monitoring in municipalities and citizen science volunteer groups, and delivering unique guided urban river rafting experiences to the public within the eco-tourism sphere.

NEW FOR 2024!

RiverWatch introduces new self-paced and easy-to-follow e-learning training modules. RiverWatch is excited to unveil our online platform that empowers guides to take charge of their learning journey. Dive in at your own pace, schedule, and wherever you are. This approach prioritizes autonomy and flexibility and caters to learners’ diverse needs and preferences. The benefits of our new e-learning system include:

  1. Accessibility: Our new training modules allow you to access any training module and lesson anytime via desktop or mobile, whether at home or on the river. Need some tips to start a discussion on the raft or at a shore stop? Just pull up the lesson on your phone, and away you go!
  2. Small Bite-Size Lessons: At first glance, the content may seem daunting, but within the river interpretation for each city, all the lessons have been developed for guides to easily scan within one to two minutes to pick up the key points.
  3. Flexibility: Every learner has unique preferences, learning styles, and prior knowledge. Self-paced learning allows individuals to learn conveniently, fitting learning around their schedules and commitments. For river guides, who often have irregular working hours, this flexibility enables them to engage in learning without disrupting their professional responsibilities.
  4. Enhanced Retention, Motivation, and Engagement: Self-paced learning empowers river guides to absorb information quickly, enhancing retention rates while reigniting their passion and motivation for their work. This autonomy fosters deeper understanding and long-term dedication, leading to superior guest experiences.

THREE LEARNING STREAMS – 5 MODULES

This is your RiverWatch Safety Briefing. This is your RiverWatch Safety Briefing at a Glance. Memorize it and know it. There are three safety topics. There are three points in each topic. You have three minutes to get it done.

What is RiverWatch, and what makes us tick? This is your first and most important stop on your learning journey. Click and discover who we are and how we show up for each other every day. Our core purpose and values are our North Star, from safety to fun.

Core Skill Development: The two most important skills you will need right away are guiding the raft and being completely comfortable with water testing for our school floats. Don’t forget our expert staff will guide you every step of the way, and you’ll have plenty of real-world experience during your training. Click the modules below to quickly and easily understand what it takes.

Local River History, Culture and Science: We have developed two training modules (1 for each city) to assist you in delivering the most compelling RiverWatch Story possible. These modules contain easy-to-learn and concise lessons, ideas, and discussion points to enhance your ability to create an exceptional experience for your students and guests. **Don’t feel daunted by the volume of content!** While it may seem like a lot to learn, it has been organized into easily digestible, bite-sized lessons. Each lesson can be scanned within a minute or two, giving you the key points you must remember. Remember, you can access these modules anytime, anywhere, even on the river, to refresh your memory.