To apply to be endorsed as a guide your home nation require a guide module provider who can deliver multiple modules to recommend you for endorsement. To do this the following prerequisites must be satisfied:
- Current British Canoeing or home nation membership
- Relevant BC Leadership award held for two years or proven evidence that role could be applied for through APL
- Current BC recognised 2 day First Aid qualification
- A current logbook that shows a minimum of 20 multi day trips/expeditions
- Applicant has attended a minimum of three of the five guide modules or have been granted APL from individual modules.
When this has been achieved the guide module provider must be satisfied, through a professional discussion (and in some cases an observation of performance in the guide role) that the aspirant guide has then met the following conditions:
- The ethos of the scheme: to support, share and recognise the leaders guiding development.
- That the aspirant Guide has already passed their Leadership Award.
- The aspirant Guide needs to have held their Leadership Award for two years and have recorded and proven experience of leading others.
- Aspirant guides have either gained further formal development or provided evidence that they have the knowledge and experience to be accepted onto this stage of the guide scheme.
- The consolidation phase, before the aspirant Guides final endorsement, can be a combination of: putting what they have learned into practice, on the water with clients; observations, by peers or guide provider; working with, a variety of guides to gain the experience; professional discussions etc. The main objective of this is that it is a healthy and supportive learning experience for all involved, whether it is the mentor, aspirant Guide or more importantly, the clients.
- That the aspirant guide has integrated their learning into their practice.
- That throughout the consolidation period, there is self-reflection of the aspirant Guides own practice and development.
- Collaborative action planning is evident to further develop the aspirant Guides role.
- As part of the final sign off, a practical observation of guiding a group must take place over a day. Professional discussions are encouraged throughout this period on the water, as well as at the end of the day.
- Final sign offs for aspirant Guides cannot be carried out by friends, family members or members of staff.
After endorsement:
- Fully endorsed Guides are encouraged to mentor, provide guidance and support final endorsements.
- Fully endorsed Guides and Guide Module Providers provide final endorsements.