Information For Zip Line Canopy Tour Guides
Thank you for your interest in working at Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours. Applications are due by
March 15th for our upcoming season. After we receive all applications, we set up group interviews for the best qualified applicants. It is on the basis of your interview that we determine whether to invite you to training. We will contact you to let you know whether we would like to set up an interview with you or not by April 1st
Who We Are: We are New England’s Leader in Outdoor Adventure. We offer canoe and kayak instruction, rock climbing instruction, whitewater rafting, zip line canopy tours, sit-on-top kayak rentals and accommodations in our campground or lodge.
We create outdoor recreation experiences that improve the lives of our guests, our staff and the communityWe build positive relationships with our guests through being personable, friendly and flexible.We love the outdoors and enjoy the opportunity to foster this love in others.We take a team approach by striving to allow each person to contribute according to his or her specific talents.
Our Guests: Most of our guests have never been on a canopy tour. They range in age from 10 to 70 years. We take a lot of families and couples. We often run group trips with schools, camps, scouts, and churches. We build positive relationships with our guests through being personable and friendly. We are respectful and flexible in all our dealings and strive to be responsive to the needs of our guests, staff and community.
Who is a Zoar Outdoor Canopy Tour Guide? Our goal is to enhance people’s lives through sharing the sports we are passionate about. We truly believe that everyone can power their own adventure at the level they desire. We work as a team and act with integrity toward customers and each other and understand that our behavior reflects on Zoar as a whole as well as ourselves. We are upbeat, flexible, enjoy teaching and have a good sense of humor.
Our Canopy Tour Program: We run canopy tours from our base from April 1st through November 30th; Seven days a week, 1 – 17 trips per day. All trips are run by advance reservation and go rain or shine.
Minimum Qualifications: Basic first aid and CPR (current for the entire season), canopy tour guides must be at least 18 years of age prior to the first day of work and eligible for work in the United States without our sponsorship. First year guides need to commit to at least 35 days of work during the season. Before you are paid to guide guests, you must complete all required paperwork and train a minimum of 46 hours, more if necessary.
Responsibilities: A canopy tour guide generally works 1 to 3 trips per day with trips taking about 3 hours each. Guides are expected to be focused on our guests. In that context, the job involves: preparing equipment and vehicles, registering guests, being aware of safety on your trip, conducting self rescue drills for guests, putting equipment away, cleaning up trash at the end of the day, maintaining gear, running slide shows, and driving shuttles. Guides will be provided the required equipment: a helmet and harness. Personal equipment- proper footgear, a knife, disposable rubber gloves, CPR shield and clothing, appropriate for the weather are the responsibility of the guides.
Paperwork: You will be asked to complete a W-4 tax form and an I-9 immigration form with proof of citizenship. All employees are paid above board. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, your earnings at Zoar Outdoor will be reported.
Training: The cost of training is $40.00/person and is refunded in the form of a graduation gift upon successful completion of the training program. If you are invited to a training session, all the necessary equipment will be available during the training session. Please bring your own lunch.
2010 Training sessions
| Session I | Session II | Session III | |
| 4/10-11, 4/17-18 | 5/17-20 | 6/7-10 | Introduction to Canopy Tours |
| 4/24+ Obs. day |
5/21+ Obs. day | 6/14+ Obs. day | Observation and skills verification |
| 6/1-3 | 6/1-3 |
6/1-3 |
Rescue training (open to staff from session I-III) |
Each day lasts from 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M
Best of luck with your application,
Kevin McMillan
Director of Guided Programs
