Wilderness Guide Foundations is an in-person course that introduces you to professional guide outfitting in British Columbia. It was developed with experienced guide outfitters, so the skills it teaches are meant to be ones employers can rely on in the field.

What it covers:

  • The history and traditions of guiding in BC
  • The laws and regulations that govern the industry
  • The core competencies guides need

Outcome: After completing the program, you’ll have the foundational knowledge and skills to work safely and confidently in the backcountry under professional guide outfitters.

Course Facts

Dawson Creek, BC at the NLC Facility

$7100 plus GST

30 Theory Hours

140 Field Experience Hours

Have questions?

Reach our Work Force Training and Continuing Education team at 1-866-463-6652, extension 7587, or by email at ce@nlc.bc.ca.

Or fill out the form provided and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Prerequisites

Required Before July 5 Field TrainingCourse Date OpportunitiesTotal Course Hours
Food Safety for Food Handlers (online-self guided) or FoodSafe Level 1 in personOnline: Sept 1-2026-June 30-2027
In-Person: November 7, 2026, or April 17, 2027, or June 5, 2027		7 hours
S-100 Fire SuppressionSeptember 26, 27 & 28, 2026, or April 1, 2 & 3, 202724 hours
Basic Chainsaw SafetyOctober 22, 2026, or March 13, 20277 hours
20-Hour Remote First AidOctober 23-25, 2026, or May 14-16, 2027 20 hours
ATV/UTV Operator TrainingOctober 24, 2026, or April 24, 20275 hours
Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE)November 21& 22, 2026 or March 27 & 28, 202712 hours
Possession Acquisition Licensing (PAL) – Recommended but not requiredOctober 10, 2026, or February 13, 20278 hours

Course Topics

“This would be the first North American certified program”

– Tara Hyland-Russell, Vice President of Academic and Research