Summer Guide Academy Launched

This summer, Kootznoowoo, Inc. is sponsoring a Summer Guide Academy that will prepare shareholders and descendants to become a professional wilderness guide. The Academy has space for up to four trainees between the ages 17-25. The 2024 Academy will run for three months from mid-April through mid-August. This is a paid experience where trainees who complete the full summer will be paid $8,000 for their participation and successful completion of the program.

“The Guide Academy is basically a training course for those who are interested in becoming guides such as wilderness or kayak guides or even becoming charter captains. The intent of the program is to give the youth and young adults an opportunity to get training,” said Matthew Kookesh who is overseeing the program. “The experience will range from interning with a bear specialist and the U.S. Forest Service at Pack Creek to getting training with kayaking and fly fishing. This is a great opportunity for participants to see how businesses outside of Angoon run.”

This exciting hands-on guiding experience will include activities such as:

• A commercial cross-Admiralty paddle and hike;
• Angoon walking tours and Pack Creek bear viewing;
• Sea kayak paddling and rescue;
• Wilderness first aid and managing guest safety;
• Fresh and saltwater fly fishing;
• Wilderness travel and leave-no trace camping.

“Our goal is to create opportunities for the community of Angoon that will offer exposure and a chance to gain skills and experience in a new area,” said Matthew. “The Summer Guide Academy is one of those opportunities. When small scale tourism comes to Angoon, participants have completed the program will be able to use their training to possibly work for a tourism company or even start up their own guiding business.”