Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association

MPHIA: Overview of Courses

MPHIA Course Chart

MPHIA Courses Offered
Type of Guiding	Minimum Level of Interpretive training (Parks Canada licensing requirement)	Description of Course/Accreditation	Minimum Level of Technical Skills Training
River Rafting Guides Horse Packing Guides Scuba guides Angling guides XC ski guides ACMG Mountaineering Climbing Guides Ski Touring Guides	Basic Interpreter	4hr overview of heritage and the guide’s role in protecting and presenting that heritage. No exam	See Parks Canada Guide Grid

ACMG day hiking ACMG Backpacking Lake Guides 1/3 of hiking or snowshoeing guides*	Sta ndard/Apprentice Interpreter	16 hr introduction to natural and cultural history and the art of interpretation. In-course exams.	Standard first aid + MPHIA Group Management Course (or equivalent training – example: ACMG day, backpack or mountain guide training)

Interpretive Day Hiking Snowshoeing Guides	Professional Interpreter	Accreditation is based on: 1) Experience 2) Education 3) Oral & Written Exams 40 hr course covering natural & cultural history, techniques of effective interpretation and Park Management is optional, but recommended.	Standard first aid + MPHIA Group Management Course (or equivalent training)
You can register online for all of these courses

*Note: Parks Canada requirements for companies operating with an interpretive day hiking license state that 1/3 of programming can be done by guides with a Standard/Apprentice certificate. The remaining 2/3 of programming must be done by guides accredited as Professional interpreters (Parks Canada calls this level of training the “Enhanced” level).