Certification Trainings

Wyonegonic will be offering Ropes Course Certification, Canoe Instructor Certification, Archery Instructor Certification, Equine First Aid and an Outdoor Living Skills Staff Workshop in June 2024.  Dates & Rates currently listed are from 2023 and will be updated in March.
 
Aquatics certification such as Lifeguarding is only provided for Wyonegonic Staff and not available for outside registration.  Aquatics training needs should be directed to the American Red Cross or other Trainers.  Camp Winona is offering WSI, LGI and Lifeguarding Options.  
 
Please click on the course title below to read detailed information on each training. Read our policies carefully and use one of the links at the bottom of  this page to register online. You will receive instructions on the registration form on how to pay for your courses. Contact the Wyonegonic Office if you have any questions.

Certification Trainings Online RegistrationPayment Policy
We are offering online registration. Your registration will not be confirmed until we receive payment. Please contact our office to arrange payment through our online payment portal. You can also mail a check to our office or call with a Master Card or Visa. Prices include course materials, instruction, room and board. Please use one form per participant.

Health Forms & Screening
We can accept a copy of your completed health form from your own camp.  Please bring a copy of your completed camp health form and vaccination record with you when you check in for your training. Wyonegonic will conduct a brief health screening upon arrival. Any health questions or concerns that arise during training will be referred back to their Camp Director.

Communicable Disease Protocols – Updated June 2023
We would like our course participants, staff and instructor to arrive to Wyonegonic healthy and to stay healthy. All course participants are strongly recommended to have COVID-19 vaccination and up-to-date boosters. Vaccination exemptions may apply (religious, medical). Those who are not feeling well with any suspected COVID-19 symptoms or have been recently exposed to a known case of COVID-19 are asked to contact us for instructions prior to arriving at Wyonegonic. We ask that camps monitor their staff prior to arrival. Training participants will have a brief checkin and general health screening at arrival.

NPIs such as masking, outdoor programming, cohorting and physical distancing may be used as appropriate during the trainings to minimize risk.

Aquatics Trainings
Not currently offered for outside participants in 2024. Please contact Wyonegonic if you would like to be added to a waitlist for possible Lifeguard Certification (if space allows). Please note that all courses are physically demanding and occur in a fresh-water lake. Water temperatures in June can be cold. We strongly recommend that you bring a wetsuit. You should be in excellent physical condition, have strong swimming strokes, and be prepared for a swimming pre-test.

Clinic Participants under 18 years old
A waiver release signed by your parent/guardian is required for participants under age 18. Please contact the Wyonegonic Office to get a waiver.

Refund and Cancellation Policy
Cancellation refunds are permitted 14 days prior to the start of your course, less a $30 administrative fee. Within 14 days, cancellations will be refunded half of the course cost. Once a course has started there are no refunds for cancellations, no shows, or candidates with inadequate skills. This includes persons who fail a pretest or have incomplete work.  We will discuss a refund for any participants who are not able to arrive due to COVID-19 positive test results or suspected COVID-19 symptoms.

Certification Policy
Wyonegonic Camps does not guarantee that training participants will pass their course. The course instructor makes the determination for certification based on a participants adherence to prerequisites, pretest completion, and course completion after evaluating an individual’s performance. Full attendance is required.

Accommodations
Most multi-day courses are residential and have both day and evening sessions, along with reading and course work. Living accommodations are provided in rustic cabins without electricity. Toilets and hot water showers are centrally located. Meals are provided in the camp’s dining hall. Archery Instructor training is offered in a one day format with no overnight stay.

Wyonegonic Regulations
We appreciate your cooperation with the following: Wyonegonic is a non-smoking community; no exceptions will be made. We are alcohol free and have quiet hours in place for students to study.  Residential students in multi day courses will be asked to stay on site for the duration of their training.

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Archery

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Instructor: Lucy Morris,  New England School of Archery and Supplies

Purpose:

  • To improve the safety and quality of archery instruction to individuals and small groups in a camp setting
  • To review archery techniques
  • To give instructors confidence in teaching
  • To learn to motivate and vary daily program
  • To care for equipment and make repairs
  • To comply with ACA Accreditation Standards and state licensing regulations.

Dates:

  • Option 1: June 14, 2023 9am – 6pm (includes lunch)
  • Option 2: June 15, 2023 9am – 6pm (includes lunch)

Cost: $225

Prerequisites: The minimum age for the Level I course is 15. However, when conducting an archery class, those under the age of 18 are required to have an adult (18+) supervision.

Certification: National Archery Association – Level I. Valid for three years from date of issue.

Note:  Full attendance and participation is required. Mandatory online coursework must be completed  – due 2 days prior to attending the in person training.  Plan for anywhere from 3-8 hours to complete the pre-course work (time varies based on prior experience or familiarity with material).  We plan to release access to the online training 2 weeks prior to the in person training.

Canoe

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We offer canoe instructor training through the American Canoe Association: Level 1 Introduction to Canoeing Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW, ICE). Participants can choose to include a one day Introduction to Canoeing to help review paddle strokes before the intensive Instructor Workshop. This is strongly encouraged by the instructor.

Please note that all courses are physically demanding and occur in a fresh water lake. The temperatures in June can be extremely cold. We strongly recommend that you bring a wetsuit. Lifeguard Certification is highly recommended for anyone teaching children on the water. Refer to American Camp Association Accreditation Standards for appropriate water sport training requirements.

Instructors:  American Canoe Association Instructor Trainers, OLTOA Instructors

American Canoe  Association: Level 1 Canoe Instructor with Introduction to Canoeing

Purpose:

  • To learn or review basic canoe strokes before moving into the instructor level course (includes Intro to Canoeing Skills Course on day 1.)  This is strongly recommended for all students and especially for those with minimal paddling experience.
  • To certify an individual to teach the American Canoe Association Level 1 Introduction to Canoeing curriculum
  • To gain knowledge of canoe safety
  • To strengthen teaching skills
  • To comply with ACA Accreditation Standards

Date Options Intro and Instructor:

  • June 1-4, 2023

Cost:  $495

Please note that the Canoe Instructor training is a full time commitment, including evening classes and coursework.  The training is scheduled to start at 9am on June 1 and finish by 5pm on June 4.  Room and Board at Wyonegonic is included in the cost.

Prerequisites:

  • Please note that COVID-19 Vaccination is required by the Canoe Instructors
  • Minimum Age 18 for American Canoe Association Instructor requirements
  • Excellent physical condition and strong swimming skills
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification
  • We recommend you review the following ACA Instructor Criteria for the Level 1 Introduction to Canoeing Instructor

Certifications: American Canoe Association, Level I Introduction to Canoeing Instructor

 

Challenge Course

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Instructor:  Adventure Mas

This course meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Ropes Facilitator Training. For more information please read this article.

All training also refers to American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation Standards, Association for Challenge Course Technology Standards (ACCT), Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA) and Maine State Licensing Regulations.

Mike and his team at Adventure Mas are also available for building and inspections. 

Low Ropes Facilitator

Purpose: Focus is on facilitation techniques for both element/initiative and non-element/initiative challenges as well as safety skills. Teambuilding, ice breakers and group facilitation skills are a focus.

Dates: June 9-11, 2023

Cost: $335

Certification: Low Ropes Course Facilitator (2 years)

Please note that the Ropes training is a full time commitment, including evening classes and coursework. The training is scheduled to start at 9am on day 1 and finish by 5pm on final day.  Room and Board at Wyonegonic is included in the cost.

High Ropes Facilitator

Purpose: Learn facilitating techniques for various high elements including equipment, belay skills, safety and rescue techniques. Gain knowledge in risk and course management. Level 1 certification available for most attendees. Level 2 available for those with previous qualifying experience (must be pre-approved by instructors).

Dates: June 5-8, 2023

Cost: $495

Certification: High Ropes Course Facilitator (2 years) 

Please note that the Ropes training is a full time commitment, including evening classes and coursework. The training is scheduled to start at 9am on day 1 and finish by 5pm on final day.  Room and Board at Wyonegonic is included in the cost.

Challenge Course Facilitator

There is a discount price if a participant enrolls in both the High and Low Ropes Facilitator Trainings back to back.

Combined Dates: June 5-11, 2023

Cost: $695

Certification:  Challenge Course Facilitator (2 years)

Please note that the Ropes training is a full time commitment, including evening classes and coursework. The training is scheduled to start at 9am on day 1 and finish by 5pm on final day.  Room and Board at Wyonegonic is included in the cost.

Climbing Wall Facilitator

Purpose:  Learn facilitation techniques, belaying skills and safety for climbing wall structures. Gain knowledge in risk management.

Dates: June 12, 2023

Cost: $95

Equine First Aid

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Instructor: Dr. Tom Judd

Purpose:

Ideal for riding instructors & stable managers. A lecture on ‘What All Horse Handlers Should Know’ to prepare your riding staff for a healthy horse summer. Dr. Tom Judd will review treatment protocols of ill or injured horses. For over 25 years Dr. Judd has been the primary vet and consultant for Sarah Seaward, former Owner and Director of Camp Nashoba North. Expertly prepared handouts will include such topics as: Allergies and Bleeding, Colic, Fever, Foreign Bodies, Lameness, Hot Packing and Ophthalmic Application. Sarah and Dr. Judd will have time allotted for Q&A. This is a hands on lecture.

Dates: June 14, 2023 9am – 12pm 

Cost: $90

Equine First Aid

Outdoor Living Skills Staff Workshop

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Camp staff who are teaching Outdoor Living Skills and Campcraft are encouraged to attend. Join us as we intertwine curriculum review of the skills and skill levels as introduced in the Art of Outdoor Living book published by The Maine Summer Camps (MSC) member organization.  Staff teaching curriculum for Junior Maine Woodsman, Maine Woodsman and Junior Maine Guide will find this particularly helpful.

We will provide time for instruction and practice of skills to build instructor confidence and will cover teaching methods and some nature/natural history. Safety and proper care and use of equipment while used in the outdoors will be emphasized. For more details on skills covered and goals, Click to view the WYO – 3 day OLS Clinic curriculum.

Art of Outdoor Living

There will be one outdoor overnight campsite experience on the Wyonegonic property including outdoor cooking and encampment. Participants should bring their personal gear and their copy of The Art of Outdoor Living (books will be available for purchase at cost of $34). Food and group campsite materials including tents are provided. Canoeing and first aid skills are not included in this training.

Instructors: Ginny Geyer and Katie Curtis. Both are Junior Maine Guide testers, experienced instructors and Katie is a Registered Maine Guide.

Dates: June 8-10, 2023 

Cost: $130.  (Books can be purchased for $34 for participants who do not have their own copy.)

Certification: This is not a certification course.  At the end of the workshop, participants will be provided with a checklist of skills covered and written feedback from the instructors that can be provided to Camp Directors.  This is an example of documentation that can be added to a participants documented experience and staff skills verification for specialized activities (ACA standards ST.8 and ST.33).

Other Training

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Winona Camps Clinic Website and Brochure

WSI

LGI

Waterfront Lifeguard (Blended Learning)

US Sailing  – Counselor Course

Camp Riflery Instructor

Wilderness First Aid

Camp Mental Health First Aid

 

American Camp Association – New England Office

ACA New England lists training opportunities on their online calendar

 

Maine Summer Camps

Maine Summer Camps compiles a list of trainings available each season.

 

American Red Cross

Johnny G. Blanton III

Aquatics Sales Executive, MA, NH, VT, and ME

American Red Cross

339-225-2058

[email protected]

 

 

 

Registration for 2024 Training Clinics will be coming soon

Please contact the Wyonegonic office with any questions or to hold a space prior to registration.