NEW This Spring: Advanced Bear Viewing Guide Training

Instructor: Grant MacHutchon
📍 Nanaimo Museum
📅 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.

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.