Educational Trip Leader Permit Training on October 10, 2025
A special course for teachers, school volunteers, and student leaders
The Educational Trip Leader Permit training system is a way for schools to offer paddle sports and wilderness camping programs in compliance with Maine state laws related to health, safety, and staffing in the outdoors. This course is intended for teachers, student leaders, volunteers, and other individuals associated with an educational institution’s outdoor programs. For more information on the ETLP system please see this FAQ from the Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife. Our ETL trainings are taught by a Portland Paddle sea kayaking instructor who has been trained as an ETL instructor.
Course Details:
Date: October 10, 2025
Locations: Meet in the morning at 233 Warren Avenue, Portland, Maine. Then meet after a lunch break at the East End Beach in Portland, Maine.
Duration: 9 hours (with lunch breaks), split between classroom/outside time and water time
Time: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Price: $120 per participant
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What’s included:
- Instruction and practice in required components of the ETLP course, including navigation, camp craft, risk management, trip planning, and activities to do with students.
- Instruction and practice in watercraft rescue, including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
- Testing as required to receive the ETL permit (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour).
- Boats and paddling gear (but you may bring your own PFD if you would prefer).
- Tarps, tents, camp stoves, and rope for camp craft practice (you may also bring your own equipment to share with the group or to use for practice).
What to Bring:
- Comfortable clothes for a day spent outdoors in October. Layering is key, as we will move between the indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day.
- Rain gear and extra warm layers in case of inclement weather (we will still spend time outside even in inclement weather).
- Clothes suitable for paddling. If you own a wetsuit or drysuit, please bring it. Otherwise, Portland Paddle will provide a wetsuit.
- Lunch and snacks.
- Notebook, writing utensils, etc. for note taking, including while outside.
- Compass if you have one (if you do not one can be provided).
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FAQ for This Course:
For general questions about the ETLP system in general, please see the FAQ linked above.
Q: Is this course a good fit for someone preparing for their Maine Guide Exam, or who wants to generally boost their outdoor skills?
A: No, this course is meant specifically for individuals leading groups of students in the outdoors as part of an educational program. Please see our Maine Guide Training, ACA Instructor Certification, or general lessons page for other types of instructional programs.
Q: I work for a non-profit, municipal rec. program, scout troop, summer camp, or other institution which offers outdoor programs for youth, can I take this course?
A: You may take the course, and will likely find value in it, but you will not be able to receive an official ETL permit. Please email us to discuss whether this is a good fit before registering.
Q: I want to take my students paddling but don’t have enough equipment, or enough ETLP holders at my school, can Portland Paddle help?
A: Yes! We offer a variety of services, including rentals, guided tours, overnight trips, hire-a-guide, and trip planning packages. Contact us to discuss how we can help your school’s paddling program succeed!
Q: Will this course include the wilderness first aid component required to receive your ETLP?
A: No, it will not. Please contact one of the licensed WFA providers, such as SOLO or WMA, for a full list of providers and to register for a course. Acadia Mountain Guides (WMA affiliate) and Northstar Adventures (SOLO affiliate) are two excellent local providers.
Q: I already have a lot of experience in the outdoors, do I still need to take an ETL course to get my permit?
A: Yes, that is one of the requirements to receive the permit. Even if you have lots of experience, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from both professional instructors, and your peers in the course. We firmly believe that everyone will get a lot out of the experience.