Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides Association
Battlefield Guide
Education Sessions
Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign
February 6 & 13, 2027
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides Association (SVBGA), in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, is pleased to announce its inaugural battlefield guide training course.
Focusing on Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, this course represents an important first step in the Association’s training and certification program for individuals interested in becoming Licensed Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides.
- Course Dates
- February 6 & 13, 2027
- Tuition
- $150 per participant
- Application Deadline
- December 31, 2026
Course Overview
The course will examine the military operations, leadership, geography, strategic significance, and historical consequences of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign.
Instruction will emphasize historical scholarship, battlefield analysis, and the knowledge necessary to interpret the campaign accurately and effectively for the public. Participants will engage in instructor-led presentations, historical discussions, and analysis of the campaign’s principal military operations.
Who Should Attend?
The course is open to prospective battlefield guides pursuing certification and to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the 1862 Valley Campaign for personal or professional enrichment. The same tuition applies to all participants.
Course Schedule & Locations
Session One
Saturday · 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Kernstown Battlefield Conference Center
Session Two
Saturday · 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cross Keys–Mill Creek Ruritan Club
Cross Keys Battlefield
Both sessions are required for participants pursuing battlefield guide certification.
Additional Instructional Support
Virtual Office Hours
Two virtual office-hour sessions will be offered via Zoom:
- Wednesday,
- Wednesday,
These sessions provide opportunities to ask questions, discuss assigned readings, review course material, and obtain additional clarification from instructors.
Times and access information will be provided to registered participants.
Battlefield Guide Certification
The SVBGA battlefield guide certification program is intended to establish standards of historical knowledge, interpretive competency, and professionalism among individuals conducting battlefield tours in the Shenandoah Valley.
This course is a mandatory component of the certification process for individuals seeking licensure as an SVBGA 1862 Valley Campaign Battlefield Guide. Successful completion is required for eligibility to proceed to the licensing examination and subsequent certification requirements.
Course completion alone does not constitute certification or licensure. Candidates must successfully complete all additional examination and certification requirements before licensure is granted.
Additional information concerning the certification process will be provided upon request.
Registration & Tuition
$150 per participant
Tuition includes instruction and a light lunch during both scheduled classroom sessions.
To participate, email the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides Association to request an application and the course reading list.
Application Deadline:
Additional Information
Learn more about the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Guides Association, arrange a battlefield tour, or contact the Association with questions about registration and battlefield guide certification.