FYI… Georgia Rivers opens 2025 scholarship applications for new applicants seeking ACA Kayak Instructor Certification. *Applications due by March 30, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern Training new kayak instructors to help entry level paddlers is an important aspect of Georgia River Network’s mission to protect and connect people with Georgia’s rivers. The statewide conservation organization opened scholarship applications for their successful program to train kayak instructors today. In turn, this program enables more people and communities to safely enjoy Georgia’s beautiful rivers and waterways. By offering training and instructor certification scholarships in addition to retail enrollment opportunities for instructor certification, combined with a structured training program for those who want to take advantage of it, Georgia Rivers hopes to help: Expand access to skills and safety training across Georgia Overcome historic barriers and bridge the outdoor recreation gap Create a community of ACA certified paddlesports instructors who are ready to meet the needs of a diverse population of students Create connections in our community with groups who may otherwise get left out of the outdoor recreation leadership pipeline Learn about the Georgia Rivers Beaver Crew "Prep Course" and Coaching Program GR Beaver Crew Program - Georgia River Network Learn about Georgia Rivers Scholarship Programs for new ACA instructor candidates GR Instructor Training and Certification Scholarships - Georgia River Network There are 2 potential scholarship opportunities currently available to future instructors, funded by support from Georgia Power Company. The Beaver Crew Scholarship covers the cost of summer coaching for future instructors who are committed to training over the summer with already certified instructors and taking the instructor exam. The Blue Heron Scholarship covers the cost of the end of summer ACA instructor certification class. Candidates who accept either scholarship make a commitment to challenge the instructor exam in 2024 and to help teach paddling in future Georgia Rivers programs as a means to pay it forward. Candidates can apply for either scholarship or both if they are willing to commit to the combined volunteer commitment. Scholarship applications are due by March 30, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern. If you are interested in participating in one of these programs but you do not need a scholarship, retail enrollment is available for Beaver Crew now and will open soon for the Instructor Certification Workshops. We held an informational Question and Answer session earlier this month. If you would like to watch the recording it is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n3rzwaf48v089sz3aodx7/GMT20250319-220030_Recording_1686x768.mp4?rlkey=xuqvgt9rt13fipop2csts48gs&dl=0 Andrea White Community Programs Coordinator Georgia River Network 615-482-5570 www.garivers.org 126 S. Milledge Ave., Ste. E3 | Athens, GA 30605 (fb)

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