Bespoke adventure guide training from the author of The Professional Guide's Handbook.
Performance Consistency Across Your Entire Team
No other trip element has more influence on guest satisfaction than the guide leading it. Yet, many guides struggle to overcome the human side of the job: difficult guests, team friction, inconsistent judgment, unclear communication, and pressure-filled decisions.
Waypoint gives your team the proven fundamentals they need to thrive.
You get peace of mind knowing your guests are in the best hands.
Talk with Colby
The Training Gap to Solve
Pre-season training time is commonly swallowed up by company inductions, destination specifics, and technical skills practice—leaving the critical human/soft skills underdeveloped.Â
This leads to common issues you know too well:
- Inconsistent guest experiences
- Struggling with difficult guests
- Poor judgment under stress
- Communication tensions between staff
- Team members who need constant coaching
A world-class guest experience shouldn't depend on which guide is leading the trip. It should be the standard across your entire operation.
Easy & Efficient Solution
Waypoint helps you solve the human-skill challenges faced by your guides. Our courses close the training gap by instilling proven frameworks in guest care, leadership, teamwork, risk management and interpretation.
You benefit from:
- Consistent guest experiences
- Reduced recurring mentorship issues
- Less pressure on senior staff
- Confidence in scheduling guides
- Reduced reputational risk
It is easy and efficient while saving your company money and time.
Essential Guide Skills Course + Certificate
Our flagship online adventure leadership training for building more capable, consistent, and self-sufficient guide teams.
- Affordable self-paced learning
- Accessible anytime, anywhere
Small Investment, Big Impact
For less than the cost of a single day of in-person training, your guide team gains professional frameworks they can apply immediately to manage people, operations, and risk—especially when challenges arise or personalities get complicated.
You'll benefit from:Â
- Faster guide development
- More consistent guest experiences
- Reduced mentorship demands
- Smoother day-to-day operations
Upon completion, guides pass a short exam to receive the Professional Guide Certificate, providing documented proof that each guide completed the training.
Simple to Implement
This self-directed online course is easy to assign across your team.
- We provide your guides with a private enrollment code.
- Guides complete the training on their own schedule.
- We handle reminders and engagement.
- Successful graduates earn their certificate.
No extra administrative burden on your end.
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Graduated pricing available from USD $25-$125 per guide.
Explore the Essential Guide Skills Course
Anne Wood
Mountain-Travel Sobek
Senior Director of Trip Development & Operations
"Colby was the ideal collaborator for our guide training program. Beyond his vast expertise in guide soft skills, he is also an excellent project manager—having led the way and keeping us organized and on schedule. The Essential Guide Skills Course has become instrumental for improving guiding consistency across our global programs. I couldn't have asked for a better partner on this project!"
Laura Smith
60-South
Operations Director
"We partnered with Colby and Waypoint Guide Academy because his Essential Guide Skills Course filled an important gap in our crew training. It helped bridge the space between technical know-how and delivering an exceptional guest experience in the field."
Let’s Build a Stronger Guide Team.
Talk with ColbyAdditional Training Options for Every Team and Budget
Specialized Online ClassesÂ
Individual enrichment classes about 1-hour in length. Perfect for ongoing staff appreciation and development. Guides learn on their own time from anywhere.
Conservation Communication
- Help guides speak confidently about conservation topics and inspire real action.
Travel Photography SkillsÂ
- Improve the guest experience through shared trip images, visual storytelling, and memory-making.
Climate Communication
- Help guides explain local change without sounding political or preachy.
Graduated pricing available from USD $8-$35 per guide.
Live Webinars & Online Workshops
Colby brings focused, interactive professional development directly to your entire team.
Custom webinars address specific operational challenges such as:
- Adventure leadership strategies
- Conflict avoidance and resolution for guide teams
- Conservation communication &Â inspiring traveler action
- Facilitating impactful guest briefings: from welcome gatherings to activities
- How to lead memorable and safe hikes
- ...and more
Ideal for pre-season training and ongoing professional growth.
Starting at USD $350 for 1.5 hrs of delivery. *Custom pricing is available for webinar packages. Additional fees apply to recorded sessions.
Field Workshops & Keynotes
For teams that want deeper in-person development, Colby delivers bespoke training built around your operation’s real challenges.
Whether supporting guide development, leadership training, or keynote speaking, Colby delivers engaging sessions built on decades of guiding and operational experience.
Available for company training events, conferences, and industry associations.
Custom pricing starting at USD $850 per day, plus travel and expenses.Â
The Professional Guide's Handbook
Equip your staff with the award-winning adventure leadership textbook.
Use the Handbook as a shared professional reference across your team. It gives guides a common language and shared frameworks for all aspects of their work.
USD $10 per book wholesale (reg $50, minimum 10 books) plus shipping.
Let's Discuss Your Team's Needs
Every operator faces different guide-related challenges.
Connect with Colby to:
- Discuss your training goals
- Explore pricing options
- Determine if Waypoint fits your team
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Corbin Hawkins
Natural Habitat Adventures
US Parks Senior Operations Manager
"Colby brings a wealth of hard-earned expedition experience into every training session he leads. He has a rare ability to translate years of guiding in challenging environments into clear, practical frameworks that new and seasoned guides can immediately apply in the field."
Karl Egloff
World Wildlife Fund
Director of Travel, Tourism and Conservation
"Colby collaborated with our team on major initiatives and consistently demonstrated an ability to bridge the gap between office-based expectations and field realities—especially around content, interpretation, safety, and quality. His work helped align organizational goals with on-the-ground application in a way that was both practical and inspiring."
Jen Hearne
Quark Expeditions
Manager of Expedition Team Training & Development
"Working with Colby was an absolute pleasure! He is a true professional and an exceptionally engaging communicator and group facilitator. Our expedition team walked away with a variety of practical tools and useful concepts they can immediately apply in the field to elevate the guest experience through dynamic, engaging interpretation."
Connect with Colby.
Let’s talk through your team's current challenges and the best guide training options for your operation.
Book a Meeting