The course

Aim

The aim of the course is to allow you to achieve the skills and knowledge that you will require in order to obtain a good job in the outdoor industry as an outdoor activity instructor. This will involve training and assessment for a number of National Governing Body Awards as well as personal skills coaching to increase your motivation and confidence in the outdoors.

Is this course for me?

If you are looking for a pathway into becoming an outdoor activity instructor then this 20 week programme could be for you. It will give you the basic understanding, knowledge and skills required to teach a variety of different outdoor activities. You will need to be 18 years of age or over as all of the National Governing Body Awards have a minimum age restriction. As a part of the programme you will be assigned a mentor to track your progress and help guide you in the right direction.

How long is the course?

The course will run for 20 weeks:
First Term: 20th October 2008 – 19th December 2008 9 Weeks term.
Second Term: 5th January 2009 - 20th March 2009 11 Weeks term.
We will break for two weeks over Christmas.

Outline the course for me

Working in the outdoors requires a multi discipline approach so a variety of different awards are needed as a minimum – these can include kayaking, canoeing, climbing, walking and first aid. With this in mind we are offering you the chance to gain a wide range of NGB Awards that are essential for a career in the outdoors. This is a 20 week training programme designed to provide the basic background knowledge and technical skills base required by an outdoor instructor. Our team will guide you through the programme step by step to develop your skills. Two evenings a week will be classroom based with visiting lecturers talking to you about various aspects of working in the industry as well as related theoretical teaching and presentations about various aspects of some of the locations in which we will be doing our practical training. The course training will take place at locations all over Devon and Cornwall as well as trips to North Wales, South Wales, Derbyshire and the Lake District. On days off you will need to continue to develop your own skills and experiences in order to get the most out of the course.

The majority of students can achieve their:

+ SPA Training
+ ML Training
+ BCU 1-3 Star Awards (in kayak or canoe)
+ Canoe/Kayak Safety Test
+ Level 1 Paddle Sports Training
+ Swift Water Rescue Technician
+ Cave Leader Training
+ First Aid
+ BOF Teacher Leader

Additional Training:

+ High Ropes Course
+ Crates Stacking Tower
+ Zip Wire
+ V’s & Beams
+ Jacobs Ladder
+ Pampa Pole
+ Raft Building
+ Orienteering
+ Problem Solving
+ Kit & Activity Maintenance
+ Lecturing Skills
+ Coaching Experience

Where is the course held?

Dart Training Group is based at the River Dart Country Park, which is situated on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The River Dart runs through the 90 acre site with parkland and playgrounds. To see pictures of the site have a look at the River Dart website www.riverdart.co.uk or www.crsadventures.co.uk.

The course will take you all over Devon and Cornwall as well as trips to North Wales, South Wales, Derbyshire and the Lake District.

What is the cost of the course?

The programme cost for the 20 weeks non residential = £5700

Shared accommodation is available at Dart Training Group at an additional price of £90 per week this also includes full catering for 5 days a week.

Registration and membership of the national governing bodies is entirely your responsibility and is not included in the cost of the programme. See the activities page for a list of the associations you will need to register with.

Accommodation and Food

All accommodation and equipment hire as well as travel to and from the daily activities is included in the course fee. You will be provided with 3 meals a day, 5 days a week. At weekends you will need to cater for yourself. There are kitchens in your accommodation. The accommodation is in shared rooms, with a living room, dining room and two kitchens with toilets and showers. There is also a large drying room on site and storage space to store any of your own outdoor kit.

What are the activities available?

Kayaking and Canoeing

Canoeing / Kayaking Students with no previous experience in open canoeing or kayaking will be working towards their star awards learning the basic strokes and becoming familiar with the rescue techniques, equipment and history needed to obtain the awards. Once you have achieved your star awards, you will then progress onto the Canoe Safety Test where a competent level of water safety and rescues in a number of different scenarios, dealing with casualties and throw bag work will all have to be demonstrated. Once you have got your 3 star and CST, with a current first aid certificate you can then continue with your Level One Paddlesports Coach Training. If you start the programme with your 3 star then you can work towards higher qualifications. During the programme you will progress onto paddling moving water where you will gain practical experience on many different rivers.

You will need to register with the BCU to get your logbook – for more information see British Canoe Union.

Climbing / Abseiling / Bouldering

You will be working towards your SPA Training Award over the 20 weeks. This will involve learning how to climb, rope work, belaying techniques, anchoring, abseils, different types of knots, learning about the history, access and conservation and route planning. You will gain experience on the local crags as well as others in Devon and Cornwall.

You will need to register with the MLTE to get your logbook - for more information see Mountain Leader Training England.

Walking

You will be working towards your ML Training over the course of the 20 weeks. This will involve learning hill walking and navigational skills which will be taught on Dartmoor and in both North and South Wales. You will also learn about camp craft and group leadership and safety skills. You will plan and prepare routes for expeditions, which you will then go on. By the end of the programme you will have gained experience in mountainous terrain, navigation, leadership safety and camp craft, which will enable you to enter for your summer Mountain Leader’s Training Award.

You will need to register before the course starts with the MLTE to obtain membership and a logbook - for more information see Mountain Leader Training England.

Caving

The Local Cave & Mine Leader Assessment Level One Training is what you will be working towards. You will gain knowledge about cave formations, geology, access and conservation, group safety, cave hazards and rescues. As a part of the programme you will visit a variety of different caves before taking your Level One Local Cave Leader Training.

You will need to register before the course starts with the BCA to obtain membership and a logbook - for more information see British Caving Association.

High Ropes

Throughout the programme you will be working extensively on the centre’s tree top high ropes courses. You will be encouraged to try the courses yourself and then once you are happy with working at height you will gain the skills and experience required to set up and de-rig the activities, safely monitor groups around the courses and perform rescues. There is currently no national governing body for high ropes courses but you will get in-house assessment on these elements.

We have on site:

+ 15 platform high ropes course
+ Jacob’s Ladder
+ Crates Stacking Tower
+ Zip Wire
+ Pampa Pole
+ High V’s
+ Balance Beams

First Aid

When working in the outdoor industry you must hold a current first aid certificate. A 16 hour first aid course is one of the first things you will do on the programme. For all training courses and assessments you will need to produce a current 16 hour First Aid Certificate.

Swift Water Rescue

The Swift Water Rescue course is designed to give the knowledge, skills and techniques required to perform rescues in a swift water environment. The course will focus on keeping rescuers from becoming victims, as well as safe and effective ways to perform rescues. The course is 3 days training.

For more information see Rescue 3 International.

BOF Teacher Leader

Orienteering is a challenging outdoor adventure sport that exercises both the mind and the body. The aim is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace. Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school playgrounds. It’s a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors. On the programme you will be working towards your Orienteering Teacher Training.

You will need to register with the British Orienteering Organisation - for more information see British Orienteering.

Why choose us?

Why come and train with us:

+ We are one of the only intensive skills course providers situated within the Dartmoor National Park Boundary.
+ We are located with easy access to Plymouth and Exeter on the A38 and the local town of Ashburton.
+ We are located in the grounds of a working centre which is based on the banks of the River Dart.
+ We have an onsite climbing/bouldering wall.
+ We have on site lakes.
+ We are an AALS approved Centre.
+ We have on site high ropes courses.
+ We can provide you with coaching hours.
+ We have a large drying room.
+ Access to professional equipment to use.
+ We have a highly experienced and knowledgeable team keen to pass on their experience.
+ You can visit and shadow one of our instructors to see if it is definitely the career you want to go into.
+ It is a five minute drive to the local cave and crag.
+ There is a two week break for Christmas.
+ A member of staff will act as a mentor to follow your progress and where necessary offer advice and guidance.

Organisations to register with

www.bcu.org.uk - Comprehensive Membership & Logbook

www.mlte.org - Individual membership & Logbook (SPA & ML)

www.britishorienteering.org.uk - Individual membership & Logbook

www.british-caving.org.uk - Individual membership & Logbook