Guide School Scholarship and Reduced Cost Guide School
The Pam & George Wendt Foundation 2026 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 22, 2026.
Scholarship includes:
- Tuition ($1399-$2499)
- 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.
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 or phone notification from OARS. If you are not chosen as a finalist, you can also apply for reduced cost guide school.
Reduced Cost Guide School Considerations:
**Applicants must be 18 years old or older by the start of the chosen guide school and eligible to work in the United States.**
Ideally, you should be available to train and work a minimum of one full season at the location where you attend guide school.
The deadline and number of applicants selected may vary based on the needs of the operation where you are applying; completing the reduced cost guide school does not guarantee employment.
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 at most locations.
Please Note: If you are hired after completing the Dinosaur Guide School your first season will be spent as a 1-day paddle captain guide.
Guide School Scholarship Application:
Deadline to Apply: February 22, 2026.
The selection process begins February 23, 2026.
To apply, please complete the form below…