Outdoor Instructor Training - Frequently Asked Questions
What are the course hours?
Typically the Outdoor Instructor Training Course hours are 9am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday. Parts of the course take place in the Peak District, North Wales and the Breacon Beacons – these trips occasionally fall on a weekend.
Is food and accommodation included?
No. Food and accommodation is available at an additional cost of £90 per week. Food is provided by Kelly College and accommodation is on site.
Where will I live?
If you decide to live at The Adventure Centre during the Outdoor Instructor Training Course, you will be accommodated in either Parkwood or Finlodge (both on site). Accommodation is basic but comfortable and both buildings have toilets, showers, a common room with fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and code locks on the main doors. Rooms are a mixture of single and shared. Find out more about our
accommodation.
What First Aid course will I do?
The First Aid course is a 16 hour Outdoor First Aid course covering all manner of incidents and injuries you may encounter as an outdoor instructor. The varied nature of outdoor pursuits means you need to be able to respond to a wide range of accidents and the course will equip you with the skills necessary to do this effectively. The course also assumes that you may be in a remote location and will prepare you to manage a casualty for as long as it takes for assistance to arrive.
Can I take days off?
Because of the intensive nature of the course we would encourage all participants to aim for a full attendance, however, we recognise that there may be occasions where you need to take time off. We have day off request forms which you can complete if you need to have any time off. We will do our best to help you catch up on information missed due to days off and it is your responsibility to practice skills during your free time.
Why are some of the qualifications only to training level?
The Summer Mountain Leader (ML) Award, the Single Pitch Award (SPA) and the BCU Level 2 Coach award are all divided into the following phases: personal experience, training course, consolidation, assessment. The consolidation phase requires individuals to log a certain number of Quality Mountain Days (QMD), lead climbs or coaching hours before assessment. These days/climbs/hours are typically built up over a longer period of time than the course allows which is why we, in line with other course providers, do not include assessment on the Outdoor Instructor Training Course.
What happens if I’ve already done some of the qualifications?
Let us know which qualifications you already have and we will do our best to help you continue your development. In some instances this may involve doing an assessment course if you meet the consolidation requirements. Contact us for more details as appropriate adjustments will be made on an individual basis.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. 25% of the total is due prior to the beginning of the course. Then the balance is due in 3 monthly instalments the first of which is due a month after the start of the course.
Are there any extra charges?
The only extras are membership of Mountain Leader Training Board and the British Canoe Union, the two governing bodies whose awards you will be working towards. Depending on which memberships you already have the maximum extra costs will be £115. We will send you details of what type of membership you need prior to the start of the course. For details about membership please use the following links: