Training Syllabus Overview
SESSION PLANNING
In the case of all activities outdoors, planning is often all that is needed to maintain a safe session, along with an understanding of what the hazards are and how to recognise them. Setting yourself up for success is key when managing dynamic sessions where risk assessment is adopted as a learning outcome for groups. The award provides an understanding of potential risks and hazards involved in bushcraft type activities as well as an approach to session planning which allows for constant assessment within the sessions.
The award will empower participants to confidently appraise a venue, and the session plan to generate a safe environment for the delivery of an awe inspiring activity session.
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Leadership
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Group assessment
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Site Assessment
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Equipment auditing
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Hazards and emergency procedures
FIRE
Fire lighting sessions have become a standard in bushcraft activities for groups. The benefit for a group, especially of young people, in learning this quintessentially human skill is proven to aid mental health, issues of connectedness to one’s history, practical wilderness travel, nature appreciation to name just a few. Being able to inspire a group to light their own fire is a wonderful tool in the outdoor instructors repertoire, and under this award we’ll look at how to fulfil that role safely.
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Venue and Ground conditions
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Setting up and assessing the activity area
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Group Management and risks
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Ignition sources
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Tinders
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Fire building
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Purposeful sessions
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Closing down procedures
SHELTER
Whether using natural materials or manmade alternatives a shelter building activity provides a shared goal for the groups – construction of a ‘home’ outdoors. Communication skills are key to this activity where people are encouraged to plan a shelter and as a team execute that plan in full scale. Instructors in this role are often placed to ensure the structural security of these shelters to mitigate a collapse, as has been documented in various outdoor centres, causing injury. This award delivers a solid understanding of some key principles to follow when running a shelter session.
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Resources
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Group management and Hazard detection
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Equipment
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Safe structures
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Purposeful sessions
TOOL USE
Working with a group to run a safe session involving sharp tools can be a daunting task, and many outdoor instructors are rightfully wary when asked to provide a carving session. During the award training we look at ways to introduce the craft knife and a saw into an activity in a controlled way. We’ll explore how to observe the group to maintain overall behaviour, as well as detail strategies to bring tool use into a practical problem solving exercise. This is not a comprehensive knife craft setting, but a pragmatic look at the issues that arise from using sharp tools with groups, and the award seeks to provide you with a framework to assess risk for yourself.
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Tool selection and maintenance
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Safe knife use
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Safe Saw use
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Group management and observation strategy
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Risk awareness
