Rafting Guide School Offers Outdoor Career Pathways to Taos Youth

Young people in Taos have limited access to professional guide training and career pathways connected to northern New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy, despite strong regional opportunities in river-based tourism and outdoor leadership. Without structured workforce development and mentorship, many youth miss viable career options. To address this gap, a community member reached out to LOR with a solution: launch a rafting guide school that offers professional instruction, safety certification, and direct mentorship for local youth interested in careers in outdoor recreation. With support from LOR, the Youth Whitewater Rafting Guide School will offer five days of intensive training led by experienced outdoor professionals, covering river safety, boating skills, and leadership development. Approximately 12 to 15 youth participants will complete the program and earn CPR and First Aid certifications, strengthening both employment readiness and safety knowledge. Professional rafting guides will mentor participants throughout the program, providing direct exposure to guide careers and broader workforce pathways in the outdoor recreation industry. The school builds practical skills—including leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving—through hands-on river-based learning and strengthens readiness for careers tied to the region’s growing outdoor economy.