2026 Guide Activist Training Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of the River’s Guide Activist Training (GAT) takes place over 10 days each spring on the South Fork American River. Trainees camp riverside, cook and eat together, hone their guiding skills with seasoned river guides, and learn the fundamentals of California water policy and river advocacy.
This training is as much about community and mentorship as it is about technical skills. Days are spent on the river and in hands-on learning; nights are spent around the campfire, building relationships and sharing stories under the stars.
Guide Activist Training simply would not happen without a dedicated, passionate group of volunteers. Whether you’re leading instruction, keeping the kitchen running, or providing general support, your time and skills directly shape the experience for trainees.
Volunteer Positions
Lead Trainer (Compensated Volunteer Role)
The Lead Trainer is responsible for coordinating the guide training portion of Guide Activist Training (GAT). This role primarily focuses on facilitating and delivering the FOR Guide Training curriculum as organized and determined by FOR’s Guide Trainer Committee.
The Lead Trainer organizes the flow of training modules and topics throughout the week and facilitates—or delegates responsibility for—each specific training topic or presentation. They oversee daily Head Guides and help determine the focus and flow of training each day.
Responsibilities
Preparation
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- Collaborate with the GAT Coordinator to develop the GAT training schedule and curriculum
- Collaborate with the GAT Coordinator to assemble the trainer team
- Determine the order and flow of guide training instruction
- Including which stretches of river will be rafted
- Coordinate with trainers to ensure the training team is organized and prepared ahead of GAT
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Training
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- Establish daily norms and expectations for the river portion of training
- Delegate roles to trainers and trainees as needed (boat rigging, gear management, etc.)
- Facilitate and deliver guide instruction and presentations, including delegating instruction to other trainers
- Assign the daily Head Guide and provide support as needed
- Determine boat groups and trainer/trainee pairings in collaboration with trainers
- Lead daily trainer debrief meetings
- Communicate relevant trainee progress, concerns, or issues with the GAT Coordinator
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Expectations
Collaboration
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- Willingness and enthusiasm to collaborate with the trainer team, GAT Coordinator, FOR staff, and other volunteers in planning and executing GAT
- Ability to facilitate and deliver training consistent with the FOR Guide Training Manual and Guide Activist Training Curriculum
- Comfort giving and receiving feedback with trainers, trainees, FOR staff, and volunteers
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Organization
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- Strong organizational skills and effectiveness in planning and facilitating the guide training curriculum
- Active participation in GAT preparation, particularly in collaboration with the GAT Coordinator
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Availability
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- Availability in the month leading up to GAT to collaborate on planning, curriculum flow, and daily scheduling
- Availability for approximately one monthly planning meeting with the GAT Coordinator between February and the start of training
- Availability for the full duration of Guide Activist Training
- Availability throughout the summer rafting season to support training opportunities and check-off ride-alongs with trainees
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Compensation
The Lead Trainer will receive a $2,000 stipend in appreciation for their commitment to organizing and facilitating FOR’s Guide Activist Training.
Interest & Applications
Volunteers—including current and long-time FOR River Program volunteers—interested in the Lead Trainer role should contact the FOR Engagement Team as soon as possible:
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- Spencer Nicholas – spencer@friendsoftheriver.org
- Daniel Belshe – dbelshe@friendsoftheriver.org
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Application Process
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- Interested volunteers will complete a short application and participate in a brief interview (more of a conversation) with engagement staff
- The application and interview will provide an opportunity to share relevant experience, training philosophy, and interest in the role
- Both returning volunteers and new applicants are encouraged to apply
- Application deadline: February 1, 2026
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2026 Training Dates
FOR currently holds reservations at Camp Lotus for the 2026 Guide Activist Training during the following windows:
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- April 11–19
- May 16–24 (backup dates)
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There may be some flexibility in these dates depending on the availability of the Lead Trainer and trainer team; however, final dates will need to be established as soon as possible.
River Guide Instructor (Volunteer)
Friends of the River’s Guide Activist Training (GAT) has been led by a community of volunteer river guides since its inception. Our instructors—referred to as Guide Trainers—come from a wide range of backgrounds, including commercial guiding, instruction, private boating, and expedition leadership.
Our guide trainer community brings deep boating experience and a shared passion for teaching and mentoring new guides. Guide Activist Training takes place each spring on the South Fork American River in Lotus, CA.
Expectations
Collaboration
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- Willingness and enthusiasm to collaborate with the Lead Trainer, GAT Coordinator, trainer team, FOR staff, and other volunteers in planning and executing GAT
- Ability to facilitate and deliver training consistent with the FOR Guide Training Manual and Guide Activist Training Curriculum
- Comfort giving and receiving feedback with fellow trainers, trainees, FOR staff, and volunteers
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Availability
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- Guide Trainers are not required to be available for the entirety of training
- Commitment to a minimum of three training days (typically 7:30am–4:30pm)
- Availability for 2–3 summer training days (weekend dates between May and September)
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Training Philosophy
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- Guide Trainers must be experienced river guides and enthusiastic, capable teachers
- Training must be facilitated in accordance with the FOR Guide Activist Training Manual, as organized by the Lead Trainer and Guide Trainer Committee
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Interest & Applications
Volunteers interested in serving as a Guide Trainer should contact the FOR Engagement Team:
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- Spencer Nicholas – spencer@friendsoftheriver.org
- Daniel Belshe – dbelshe@friendsoftheriver.org
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Application Process
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- Interested volunteers will complete a short application and participate in an interview with engagement staff and the Lead Trainer
- The application and interview will focus on relevant experience, training philosophy, and interest in the role
- Final selection will be at the discretion of FOR engagement staff and the Lead Trainer
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2026 Training Dates
FOR currently holds reservations at Camp Lotus for the 2026 Guide Activist Training during the following windows:
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- April 11–19
- May 16–24
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There may be some flexibility in these dates depending on the availability of the Lead Trainer and trainer team; however, final dates will need to be established as soon as possible.
Kitchen Manager (Compensated Volunteer Role)
The Kitchen Manager is responsible for helping coordinate and prepare meals during FOR’s Guide Activist Training (GAT). This role is not responsible for doing all of the cooking—guide trainees, FOR staff, and other volunteers will actively support kitchen operations throughout the training.
The Kitchen Manager’s primary responsibilities are to oversee kitchen volunteers, organize the food locker and pantry, support meal-time logistics, and manage time to ensure meals are prepared efficiently.
The camp kitchen is one of the most fun and community-building aspects of Guide Activist Training. This role is well suited for volunteers who are organized, enjoy working as part of a team, and are excited to help bring people together around shared meals throughout the week.
Responsibilities
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- Oversee meal preparation and kitchen operations
- Coordinate daily kitchen volunteers
- Set up cold breakfast and coffee each morning
- Lead cleanup crews after meals
- Organize and maintain the food locker, pantry, and coolers (including replacing ice as needed)
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Expectations
Organization
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- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage kitchen logistics efficiently
- Active participation in GAT preparation, especially in coordination with the GAT Coordinator
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Availability
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- Availability for the entire duration of Guide Activist Training
- 2026 training dates will be either April 11–19 or May 16–24
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Compensation
The Kitchen Manager will receive a $2,000 stipend in appreciation for their commitment to supporting FOR’s Guide Activist Training.
Interest & Applications
Volunteers interested in serving as the Kitchen Manager should contact the FOR Engagement Team as soon as possible:
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- Spencer Nicholas – spencer@friendsoftheriver.org
- Daniel Belshe – dbelshe@friendsoftheriver.org
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Application Process
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- Interested volunteers will complete a short application and participate in a brief interview (more of a conversation) with engagement staff
- The application and interview will allow applicants to share relevant experience and why they are excited about the role
- Both returning volunteers and new applicants are encouraged to apply
- Application deadline: February 15, 2026
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General Support Volunteer
There is always a need for general volunteer support during Guide Activist Training and throughout the summer rafting season. General Support Volunteers assist in a variety of ways, including managing river guests, helping prepare meals, hosting visitors at Camp Lotus, and shuttling rafters to and from the river.
Our river volunteers are an integral part of the Friends of the River family—we truly couldn’t do this work without them. If you’re interested in joining as a FOR volunteer and supporting our river programs, we’d love to hear from you.
📧 To get involved, Complete a Volunteer Application HERE
Email the FOR Engagement Team with questions:
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- Spencer Nicholas – spencer@friendsoftheriver.org
- Daniel Belshe – dbelshe@friendsoftheriver.org
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