W.G.A. Level 1

Wilderness guide – Level 1: Frontcountry

Competences

  • Can guide autonomously in territory with which they are familiar, where evacuation should start within 12-hours within the level 1 competences. (Appendix B)
  • Can act as assistant guide off trail under the direct supervision of W.G.A. Level 2 or Level 3 guides.
  • Knows about his/her limitations and possibilities as a W.G.A. level 1 guide and his/her responsibilities towards nature and customers.

Qualification assessment

  • A minimum of 28 field-training days (within the level 1 competences) by a W.G.A. approved organization or W.G.A. Training Institute.
  • The applying guide must have a valid WFA certificate (revalidated every 3 years) with a minimum of 40 hours training. Medical courses like WFA, WFRA, WAFA or WFR only count for maximum 2 days of field training.
  • A minimum of 2 documented specializations by a W.G.A. Training institute or W.G.A. approved organization or similar. (Appendix A) These specializations will not be counted as field-training days for a W.G.A. Level 1 application.

Practical Period

  • A minimum of 28 days of (assistant) guiding under supervision of a W.G.A. Approved Level 2/3 guide or a W.G.A. approved organization within field overnight experience within the level 1 competences.
  • In field overnight experience should be at least 14 days of random camping.
  • At least 14 days of (assistant) guiding should be under direct supervision.
  • Experience should be logged in the W.G.A. Logbook which can be found and downloaded on the W.G.A. Website.
  • A W.G.A. approved organization for internships is published on the website of the W.G.A.
  • The practical period should be well documented and submitted within the application.

Skills and Knowledge

See for the complete list of skills and knowledge, the document W.G.A. Standards Level 1 Frontcountry

 

1 Any documented and suitable guiding experience with references either from the employer/supervisor or from the clients, supervised and signed off by a Level 2 or 3 WGA guide or another experienced guide from a suitable organization or association. At least 14 days should be under direct supervision.