10 week Introductory Instructor Training Course

What’s included?
5 Days coaching per week
All training & assessment fees
Self Catering accommodation
Transport during training
Use of centre equipment (In accordance with centre Health & Safety Policy)
Opportunities to assist coaches at work
Opportunity to purchase brand name clothing and equipment at cost.
VAT @ 15%

What’s not included?
Food
NGB memberships
Flights & transfers
Insurance

Course dates
The course will be of 10 weeks duration
Commencing Mon June 29th 2009 to Thu 3rd Sep 2009

Course fee 2009 £3,995

Our aim is to facilitate a course which will allow you the following opportunities.

To gain employment as an outdoor instructor.
To gain experience and National Governing Body Awards.
To develop leadership and coaching skills.
To learn technical skills and judgment to be self reliant in wild country.
To gain an understanding of group dynamics
To improve your confidence and motivation.
To mentor and guide you on your future career path
To raise awareness of environmental issues
To give you a truly memorable experience!

Course outline
The Course is based at Craigower Lodge Outdoor Centre in Newtonmore. This is 12 miles from Aviemore and within the magnificent Cairngorms National Park. Craigower is a busy residential centre owned and operated by Active Outdoor Pursuits. Course members will have their own shared rooms within the centre as well as their own lounge and kitchen within the Staff accommodation wing.
Most of your training will take place around Speyside and the Cairngorms National Park, but we will make forays to the west coast and the far north. Within 30 minutes of Craigower Lodge you can access around 50 Munro’s, three of which you can walk to from the doorstep. We have some of Scotland’s finest rivers for canoeing and white water rafting including the Rivers Spey, Garry & Findhorn. We are only 10 minutes from Lagan Wolftrax downhill Mountain bike centre and 40 minutes from Aonach Mor- venue for the MTB world championships. The Cairngorms area has hundreds of miles of top quality biking trails.
Our Rock climbing will use a variety of great crags around the Cairngorms with visits to places Like Kingussie Crag, Glen Nevis & Cummingston - places renowned for an abundance of great climbs on impeccable rock.
One of the highlights of this course will be a week long mountain expedition where we will travel by canoe, foot and possibly bike
In addition to the practical coaching you receive, you will have your own coaching mentor. You will have opportunities to discuss your progress, identify your strengths and areas which need further development as well as offer you career advice for the outdoor industry. Successful candidates on this course would be well placed to capitalise on their training by joining the 18 week autumn / winter course this could lead to an Instructor apprenticeship with Active.

We feel privileged to live and work in such an amazing place, we want to share it with you, take you to places of breathtaking beauty and splendour. We will share great adventures, which you will cherish for life. This is your opportunity to train at a world class venue.

What to bring / Clothing Equipment
All equipment will be provided with the exception of clothing and footwear and some personal expedition equipment. You will need good quality clothing such as Gore-Tex jacket and trousers, quality walking boots, fleeces and gloves and hats. We will be glad to advise on equipment and you can purchase equipment at trade prices before your course commences.

Our Environment
By there very nature outdoor activities have an impact on the landscape, flora and fauna. An important aspect of this course is to ensure we are aware of the impact we have and how this can be kept to a minimum. Active is committed to working in ways which protect the environment for future generations. We are acutely aware that many people make a living from the countryside we take a Pro- active approach to ensuring good working relationships with other land users.

Getting here
Newtonmore is easily accessed by Air, Train and road links.
Air – Daily flights to Inverness with www.easyjet.com and other airlines. From the airport take the bus into Inverness and then direct to Newtonmore by bus or train.
Train – Trains direct to Newtonmore from London, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Bus – Direct bus links from across the UK to Newtonmore.

The aim of this 10 week course is to introduce you to a wide range of adventure activities and develop your skills to a standard where you can gain a variety of National Governing Body (NGB) Instructor Awards.
We are aware of how challenging and time consuming this process can be for people, this course aims to reduce these barriers and leave you as an employable person in the outdoor industry, if this is not your goal, the course will equip you with a range of skills that will give you the confidence to venture into wild & remote places.

The course is aimed at people of all ages from 17 years and over who have a keen interest in the outdoors or have some experience or basic awards in one or more activities on offer. You will be a highly motivated and physically fit person prepared for the challenges this course will present to you.
This course could be your first step in a radical change in career or lifestyle it is also an excellent GAP course opportunity. This course will be an amazing experience which we hope will have significant impact on your life.