Guide School Scholarship Application
The Pam & George Wendt Foundation OARS Guide School Scholarship Application
Each year OARS and the Pam & George Wendt Foundation select a handful of qualifying applicants to receive a scholarship designed to eliminate financial barriers to attending an OARS commercial guide school in California, Oregon and Utah. The deadline to apply is February 17, 2025.
Scholarship includes:
- Tuition ($1399-$2149)
- Stipend to supplement the cost of travel to guide school and/or required certifications such as Wilderness First Aid ($300)
- Equipment gift card from NRS ($300)
- Campsite with basic amenities
- Sleep kit and tent for use during guide school (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, ground tarp)
- Meals:
- Utah: Lunches only (participants are on their own for breakfast and dinner)
- California: All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the final day
- Oregon: All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the final day
- Personal protective gear (helmet, PFD, wetsuit—loaned from OARS for duration of guide school)
At the conclusion of guide school successful OARS hires are also eligible to receive an industry-leading staff gear package.
Scholarship Applicant Requirements:
**Applicants must be 18 years old or older by the start of the chosen guide school and eligible to work in the United States.**
Our management team will award scholarships based on a number of factors. All responses will be kept strictly confidential and will only be shared with our management team/scholarship selection committee.
Preference will be given to individuals who demonstrate financial need or hardship, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) candidates, openly self-identified members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and applicants seeking full-time work as a river guide. We put a lot of time, effort, and money into training candidates to be successful guides for OARS and, if possible, we want to see them flourish with us for a minimum of two years at the hiring location.
OARS Employment After Guide School
Though employment with OARS is NOT GUARANTEED after completing guide school, we do hold spots on our team to hire scholarship recipients who perform well during training.
Employment offers will be made at the conclusion of guide school based on guide school performance, OARS hiring needs within the area, and overall fit with the crew, etc.
If you are offered employment with OARS, there will be additional on-river training days to build your river experience and competence as a guide. OARS would not pay you for these days, nor would you pay anything for this opportunity. While building the experience required to guide river trips there are opportunities for PAID work off-river.
Scholarship Selection Process:
After the application deadline, if you are selected as a finalist, we will arrange a phone interview in late February or early March. Being awarded a guide school scholarship and completing guide school, does not guarantee employment with OARS. Employment with OARS depends upon your overall performance, skill level, personal dedication, the company’s needs for that season as well as the successful completion of a background check.
Scholarship Denial:
If your scholarship application is denied, you will receive an email notification from OARS. If you are not chosen as a finalist, you can also apply for reduced cost guide school by filling out an OARS Guide Employment Application.
Deadline to Apply
February 17, 2025. The selection process begins February 18, 2025.
To apply, please complete the form below…
