Educational Trip Leader Permit

Teens to Trails is committed to helping teachers gain skills and certifications to competently and confidently lead students outdoors.

An ETL permit is required when an educational institution conducts outdoor trips that would normally require a Registered Maine Guide - overnight trips away from potable water and/or any activity on Maine’s waterways.

If you don’t see trainings listed below, please contact samantha@teenstotrails.org so we can let you know when courses are scheduled.

Outdoor Leadership Training for Educators

Educational Trip Leader Permit Training- Maine Department of Education Annual Summit,

Where: Thomas College, Waterville

When: August 5 & 6

Learn more - ETLP training information will be posted soon.

Educational Trip Leader Permit Training - Teens to Trails Outdoor Leadership Conference

Where: Pine Tree Camps, Rome

When: September 27 8- 5 pm

Learn more - Registration opens 6/9. Participants are welcome to stay overnight at Pine Tree Camp on Friday following the conference. We encourage those taking the ETLP training to attend the Outdoor Leadership Conference the day before at the same location.

Educational Trip Leader Permit Training- MAPHERD Conference

Where: Samoset Resort, Rockland

When: Sunday, November 3, 2025

Learn more - ETLP training information will be posted soon.

Helpful resources:

MDIFW Webpage for ETLP

How to Apply for an ETL Permit

Wilderness First Aid and CPR are required for the ETL Permit which lasts 5 years.

Here are some well-regarded providers:

Teens to Trails is in regular contact with ETLP instructors and will notify our community through this page and our Outdoor Club Advisor bi-weekly newsletter when we learn of trainings.  

Scott Fraser, Outdoor Leadership Instructor at Washington County Community College, offers an Adventure Recreation & Tourism Concentration certificate & associate degree program. Scott can be reached at sfraser@wccc.me.edu.

BACKGROUND: At the request of the Legislature, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife worked with a group of stakeholders to create a training and testing process for an Educational Trip Leader (ETL) permit that is very similar to the established the Camp Trip Leader Permit. This permit fixes a long-standing issue in the Registered Maine Guide statute that did not meet the needs of educational institutions that wish to lead outdoor experiences for students. The ETL is for staff members of schools to comply with state law, as well as to gain skills that will help them lead safe, effective experiences for students. 

  • To be in compliance with the previous statute, a leader (even in an educational setting) must be a Registered Maine Guide when leading overnight wilderness trips (defined as away from potable water) AND/OR any activity on water bodies (which includes canoeing, even when just for a class period trip). Educators have particular training and educational settings have particular goals and needs, this RMG requirement was felt to be problematic for school programs.

  • A large group of stakeholders addressed this problem by putting forth a bill (that passed) establishing a task force to find solutions to the issue. The task force worked for many months to create a framework for the ETL system.

  • DIFW nominated members of an oversight committee that created the ETL system. Teens to Trails was part of this process and our board member Sarah Hubert, represents K-12 Public Schools on the committee.

  • Teens to Trails serves as the ETL Administrator for Public K-12 schools as this process is established. Please contact Executive Director Alicia Heyburn for questions, or to have her sign your test and submit for your permit.

  • Teens to Trails is working with certified instructors to offer training in different parts of the state.

  • PLEASE NOTE: Not all outdoor activities will require an ETL permit such as day trips that do not involve water travel or overnight trips that are in established campgrounds. But we recommend the training anyway!