In-person Level 1 Courses – Spring 2026

This spring, the Commercial Bear Viewing Association (CBVA) is pleased to offer several training opportunities to support guides at every stage of their professional development.

CBVA Level 1 Bear Viewing Guide Certification will be hosted at the Nanaimo Museum on April 20–21, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The level 1 course cost is $725 plus GST, this includes a one year CBVA guide membership. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, and meals. If you have guides who require certification ahead of the busy season, this is an excellent opportunity to ensure they are trained and prepared.

Additional Level 1 training is also available at:

Knight Inlet Lodge; please contact barb@grizzlytours.com directly for availability and pricing.

In the Campbell River area, Level 1 courses are being offered by Daryl Dancer, please contact Daryl directly at daryladancer@gmail.com for availability and pricing.

Please note that pricing varies depending on venue and instructor.

The CBVA is no longer offering Hybrid courses.

Advanced Courses – Spring 2026

We are thrilled to introduce a new offering this spring: Advanced Bear Viewing Guide Training with Grant MacHutchon!

Location: Nanaimo Museum
Dates: April 22–23, 2026
Limited availability, early registration recommended.

This new offering is designed for experienced guides looking to deepen their knowledge, strengthen safety awareness, and elevate the guest experience.

The advanced course cost is $825 plus GST. Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meals.

Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
– Have a minimum of 3 years of bear viewing guiding experience
– Have completed the CBVA Level 1 course (2018–present) or Assistant Guide course (2005–2017)
– Be a current CBVA guide member (dues paid)
*Guides whose membership has lapsed for 3+ years must apply for reinstatement through the Education & Certification Committee
– Be willing to complete up to 2 hours of independent study prior to the course
– Actively participate in course discussions and scenarios
Ideal experience includes:
– CBVA Level 2 or Level 3 status (or a highly experienced Level 1 guide)
– Experience viewing more than one species of bear
– Experience guiding in a range of bear viewing environments and operational settings

Course Objectives
This advanced course will provide a deeper understanding of:
– Emerging trends in bear behaviour and evolving safety awareness
– Human–bear encounter case studies and applied learning
– Bear behaviour around other bears
– Bear ecology — especially when bears are not in view
– Techniques to enhance guest education and interpretation

For more information or to register, please contact:

Mollie Cameron of the CBVA at operations@bearviewing.ca or 250-360-6641

Grant MacHutchon at machutchon@uniserve.com or 250-354-3008.