HUMBODLT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)- If you’ve ever wanted to become a river guide, this is the last week to sign up for the scheduled march course offered by Redwoods and Rivers.
Owner and operator Michael Charlton structured his business plan to allow everyone access to this type of outdoor experience, now it’s about giving back.
“That’s what the way I was able to become a river guide,” said Charlton.
buy imodium online https://noprescriptionrxbuyonline.com/imodium.html no prescription
Charlton says back in 1980 he met an outfitter and convinced him to let him work as a skilled carpenter in exchange for the cost of river guide school which can run about $850 dollars.
“Kind of as a legacy we try to perpetuate that continue that,” he said.
Charlton says they want to encourage youth and young people to get out and experience the outdoors.
“And of course, a lot of them don’t have the full amount to pay for the school by offering work exchange it allows them an avenue, to make some money,” he said.
buy imuran online https://noprescriptionrxbuyonline.com/imuran.html no prescription
Kory Beach is a former work exchange participant and says the opportunity was life changing.
“I was a young single mom; I didn’t have the money for guide school and that was just an opportunity that I kind of just kind of grabbed a hold of and if I didn’t have that opportunity I don’t know if that would have worked,” she said.
Students will learn the fundamentals of guiding rafts on California’s North Coast rivers throughout Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, through a combination of lectures and hands-on experience.
buy isofair online https://noprescriptionrxbuyonline.com/isofair.html no prescription
“All of people come here and unplug and they are like wow, this is the first time my kids are disconnected from the internet,” he said.
There are a limited number of scholarships available for low-income people.
Charlton says they also have programs for at risk youth.
“We have a whole program built up around just for that and a lot of the times we’ll have some come up and exchange a workday for a raft day,” he said.
Something Beach says can be a way to get away from the stress of the pandemic.
“Once you’re out there on the river you forget that half of the world is having this major experience,” she said.
Charlton says they accommodate as many people as they can, a percentage of spots are for those who need tuition assistance, and the rest are for full paying students.
There are still a limited number of Work Exchange scholarships available for low income individuals, to register or for questions call 1-530-623-4627 or toll free at (800) 429-0090, for more information click here.
