Outdoor qualifications and training
Quick Links || BELA | WGL | ML | BCU stars | BCU coaching | CWA | SPA | Site-Specific Awards
Basic Expedition Leadership Award (BELA)
The Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership is a nationally recognised award that trains and qualifies teachers, youth workers and other members of the community to:
- Lead groups in lowland areas
- Have responsibility for the care of others when outdoors including day journeys
- Organise base and mobile camps
The award is the minimum qualification required by many Local Authorities and Operating Authorities of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme to train and lead groups in the expedition section of the Bronze and Silver Awards. The award also counts towards the service section of all three Awards in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. The award does not qualify people to lead groups in remote or mountainous areas.
We provide BELA training for groups. For more information about the award visit Sports Leaders UK or contact us.
Walking Group Leader Award (WGL)
This award is for leaders of walking groups in summer conditions in non-mountainous hilly terrain, such as upland, moor, bog, hill, fell or down. Such areas are often subject to harsh weather conditions, requiring an element of self-sufficiency and this scheme will help you develop the necessary skills and experience. It is a nationally accredited award developed by the United Kingdom Mountain Training Board (MLTUK).
The scheme consists of the following stages:
- demonstrate and develop a genuine interest in hill walking and leading groups
- register with the WGL scheme
- attend a WGL training course
- consolidate experience and build on the skills and techniques of the training course
- attend a WGL assessment course
- continue to log personal and leadership experience, including attending relevant courses
We work in association with John Evans MIC, an MLTW-registered training provider based in Snowdonia, to provide WGL training for groups. For more information about the award visit the MLTUK or contact us.
Mountain Leader Award (ML)
The mountains of the UK are remote, technical and exposed to harsh and unpredictable weather. This makes them a hazardous place for novice walkers and the ML is designed to help responsible leaders who wish to operate in mountainous terrain in summer conditions. ML courses develop your group management skills, the ability to navigate in all conditions, the ability to deal with mountain hazards (including steep ground) and increase your awareness of environmental issues. There is an expedition element to the scheme.
The scheme consists of six stages:
- Gain personal hill walking experience
- Register and be issued with a logbook
- Attend a training course
- Consolidate experience
- Attend a assessment course
- Continue to gain and record experience and any relevant additional training
We work in association with John Evans MIC, an MLTW-registered training provider based in Snowdonia, to provide ML training for groups and individuals. For more information about the award visit the MLTUK or contact us.
BCU Paddling Awards
Personal performance and safety
We provide BCU awards from 1 star (beginner) to 5 stars (advanced) in kayaking and canoeing. The Star Award scheme provides the support and encouragement paddlers need to get out and go paddling. The initial awards are generic, encouraging paddlers to experience the various disciplines of Paddlesport availalbe, with paddlers 'specialising' at the Three Star Award.
The emphasis of these initial awards is to develop personal skills and gain independence; the Four Star and Five Star awards are leadership awards and enable paddlers to lead groups in appropriate conditions. The Star Award Scheme best suits paddlers aged 16 and over.
Coaching qualifications
We provide coaching qualifications from level 1 to level 5
in various kayaking and canoeing disciplines. Levels 1 to 4 are related to competence in leading canoeing groups on different types of water:
- Level 1 Coach* (Very Sheltered Water) intended for teachers and youth leaders for whom canoeing is not a main activity
- Level 2 Coach Trainee (Very Sheltered Water)
- Level 2 Coach (Sheltered Water)
- Level 3 Coach Trainee (Sheltered Water)
- Level 3 Coach (Moderate Water)
- Level 4 Coach (Advanced Water)
- Level 5 Coach A qualification to indicate an extensive all-round level of knowledge
and ability, able to train others for advanced qualifications
For more information about BCU star or coaching awards, visit the BCU or contact us.
Climbing Wall Award (CWA)
This nationally-recognised award enables holders to supervise people in climbing walls.
We work in association with John Evans MIC, an MLTW-registered training provider based in Snowdonia, to provide the CWA. The award has pre-registration, registration, training, consolidation and assessment phases. For details of the award please visit the MLTUK or contact us.
Single Pitch Award (SPA)
This nationally-recognised award enables holders to supervise people on single pitch crags and climbing walls. To gain this award you need more than just good personal climbing skills. You will learn about safe group management, indoors and out, crag etiquette, environmental responsibilities and more. You will learn how to become an effective supervisor, encouraging others to enjoy their climbing safely, whilst also improving some of your own climbing skills.
We work in association with John Evans MIC, an MLTW-registered training provider based in Snowdonia, to provide the SPA. The award has pre-registration, registration, training, consolidation and assessment phases. For details of the award please visit the MLTUK or contact us.
Site-Specific AwardsWe can provide training for activities not under the remit of a National Governing Body, such as:
- Indoor wall supervisor training
- Low ropes course supervisor training
- Raftbuilding supervisor training
- Personal Leadership Task facilitator training
For more information about what we can offer, and to discuss your exact requirements, please contact us.