Adventure Training Courses

INSTRUCTOR ACADEMY 2008 - 2009
With 25 years experience as an employer in the Outdoor industry working with instructors at all levels, we have designed this course to be your gateway into working as an Outdoor Instructor. For many years this career has been seen to be a part time job opportunity, but with the growing interest in outdoor education and leisure time, many centres like us employ on a full time basis. Unique to this course is our very high level of instruction, low ratios including 1:1 personal development and the opportunity to gain all you need to step straight into the role of an instructor.

Each course student will have personal weekly appraisals and their development closely followed to ensure they are on track to complete as much as possible in individual skill levels and the all important qualifications.

It will involve a lot of hard work, practical and theory based, to make the most of this course. The course is based on a 5 day week as compulsory for all students, however there will be the opportunity to have further coaching as our team of instructors will be available seven days a week for you to really get the most from this course and give you the maximum chance of gaining your qualifications. This really is an exciting action filled course program that may lead you into a future that has certainly provided for us many exciting years of adventure.

COURSE SYLLABUS
• H.S.E approved ‘First Aid in the outdoors’ – This 2 day (16 hour) course is theory and practical based and valid for 3 years. It also complies with the required certification for outdoor qualifications.
• British Canoe Union 1 – 4 star personal skill awards. We will use the personal development periods to get your personal canoe & kayak skills to whatever level you are capable of. achieving.
• British Canoe Union ‘Canoe Safety Test’. This one day safety and rescue test is a pre requirement to go on to the coaching ladder.
• British Canoe Union UKCC ‘Level 1 Coach Award or higher’ for those that have managed to gain the pre required 2 star and canoe safety test; this is the first step in to coaching kayaking and canoeing.
• Rescue 3 International ‘Swift Water rescue Technician’. This 4 day internationally recognised course certifies the participant in swift water rescue techniques. Ideal for those wishing to work as river guides.
• Either the new MLTE Climbing Wall Award or for those who have gained the relevant personal skills and experience there will be the opportunity to complete the 2 day Single Pitch Award Training course.

In addition to these formal awards the course includes professional training and certificates of competence in:
Navigation Skills. Orienteering, Artificial Caving systems, Archery, Rifle shooting, Quad Biking, Raft building, Low and high ropes courses, Mountain Biking, mountain boarding, Paintball / Laser games, and Horse riding.

A full range of lecture topics including current regulations, working as a instructor, coaching techniques, working abroad, risk assessments, activity and emergency procedures, weather and navigation.

In addition to these recognised qualifications, the key to this Academy is top coaches, low ratio instruction and the ability to bring your personal skills to the next level.

COURSE FEES
The cost of the academy program is £4500.00 per person. This includes full board accommodation on site, supply of all equipment, full training programme and all fees for the above courses and syllabus. Non residential places are available upon request.
It does not cover personal membership or registration with any necessary Governing Body prior to taking the awards. This is the responsibility of each course member; however, full guidance on obtaining these will be given where required

ACADEMY DATES
1st December 2008 - 1st February 2009
July / August 2009
30th November 2009 - 29th January 2010

ACADEMY PROGRAM '08-'09
Each 5 day week is based on a formal practical training programme and lectures. In addition to this every weekend there will be staff on hand to further your personal skills. This will include river trips, days out climbing, bunkhouse activity weekends and a range of on site activities on offer. At the beginning of each week the additional weekend trips and training will be posted for all of the course participants to take advantage of. These are included in the course fee and are the key to getting the most from the course programme.
With resident staff on site, we have the added advantage to be flexible with this listed itinerary to work around the weather, so may be subject to change.
Personal development – these are periods of time specifically tailored to your individual requirements and organised weekly with the programme manager to develop any areas required to meet the course targets.

Example course program

Week 1 (1st December) • Introduction to the course and the centre. • 2 day HSE Emergency First Aid course. • Navigation lectures & use of guide books. • An introduction to the centre climbing wall and its use. • Introduction to the centre Lake and fleet of canoes & kayaks and techniques. • Pool sessions with canoes / kayaks including rolling & rescue. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 2 (8th Dec.) • Work towards the BCU star tests. • 70ft & 100 ft abseil sessions. • Lectures on weather & Personal / group kit. • Pool session with canoes / kayaks. • Introduction to HSE guidelines / child protection / good practice guidelines. • Indoor climbing wall sessions. • Personal Development weekend options. BCU Canoe Safety test.
Week 3 (15th Dec.)• Local crag - introduction to local rock, including techniques, setting up and the environment. • 3 day Swift water rescue certification course. • 1 day navigation exercise. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 4 (22nd & 23rd Dec.) • 2 days of Personal skills development.The course will close after the 23rd December and restart on the 2nd of January.
Week 5 (Friday2nd Jan.) • Personal development day. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 6 (5th Jan) • • Personal development. including further BCU star tests • In house multi activity training and working with groups. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 7 (12th Jan) • Personal development. • In house multi activity training and working with groups. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 8 (19th Jan) • BCU level 1 coach award. • Personal Development weekend options.
Week 9 (26th Jan) • 2 day Single Pitch Award Training. • Personal development. • Course Paperwork. • Last day (30th January) will be presentation day and departure.

ACADEMY CLOSURE
At the end of the course there will be an individual briefing with the course Director and Manager for each participant including appraisals of their time spent in the academy and advice on the future direction of participants and post academy development. Each participant will leave the Academy with a complete and in depth folder of their completed training, signed off by the course Director and Head Instructor