River Guide School

We still have openings for both full-time and part-time employees for 2008, and we will be hiring graduates of our 2008 guide schools (as well as people with prior experience) to fill these positions. Our 2008 guide schools are intended primarily to train guides who will become professional members of our 2008 staff, but students with other interests may be accepted into our programs as well on a space available basis.

For more information about employment with O.R.E. please see our Job Opportunities page.   

Oregon River Experiences

O.R.E. is one of the oldest and most highly regarded operators of both raft trips and whitewater training programs. We run 1/2 to 6 day whitewater raft trips on some of the most beautiful and exciting wild rivers in the Northwest, including the Rogue, Owyhee, Lower Salmon, Grande Ronde, Deschutes, John Day, McKenzie, North Umpqua, North Santiam, and Clackamas rivers.

Our Training Program

For 30 years O.R.E. has been a leader in teaching whitewater skills in a safe, supportive, and innovative manner. Our 2008 training programs are designed primarily to assist students in developing the skills needed to become professionals. But the curriculum can also be appropriate for those who seek to develop the skills needed to run private trips. No prior experience is required, but enthusiasm, a commitment to learning, a positive attitude and a solid work ethic are a must.

Tuition covers individualized, skilled instruction by senior O.R.E. staff (1 instructor for every 4 students); all meals; all local transportation; use of lifejackets, wetsuits, paddle jackets, helmets, and dry-bags; all river permits and camping fees; and complementary copies of both O.R.E.'s Guide School Handbook as well as "The Complete Whitewater Rafter" by Jeff Bennett. Transportation from O.R.E. headquarters or from the Portland airport to the river is also available at no charge for those lacking transportation of their own. 

Graduates will receive a certificate of completion, opportunities to gain additional, post-graduate experience at no charge, and assistance in finding work with O.R.E. and with other companies.

The training is a hands-on experience. Dry land and on-river instruction cover a comprehensive array of skills and topics. Our Instructors begin by explaining the basics and teach by example. The emphasis throughout is on learning by doing, so students will be actively involved in every learning experience, from cooking with a Dutch oven to paddle captaining to river rescue to rowing a gear raft.

For information concerning the differences between spring and summer sessions please see our Itinerary and Curriculum page.

After completion of an O.R.E. training program

Even the most adept student requires additional training time beyond a week on the water. For this reason O.R.E. provides additional, no-cost training to those interested students who we intend to hire.

How likely is it that I'll be hired? Click here for more information.