Summer moorland walking leader training

Training to prepare delegates for the Summer Moorland Walking Leader Assessment.

This is a residential course. Candidates are invited to register between 5.15 – 6.00pm on Friday evening.  All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch are provided.  Accommodation will be in shared single sex dorms.

Participants that have not already registered with the South West Moorland Leader Scheme will be charged a one-off registration fee of £30 +VAT.  Details of which will be sent to participants after the course booking is made.

1. PURPOSE OF TRAINING
Training in preparation for assessment to lead moorland day walks in summer conditions.

2. SYLLABUS
The following syllabus content needs to be completed over a minimum of a 21 hour training course and builds on the syllabus content of the coastal and countryside award

Leadership
Candidates should have a basic background knowledge of hill walking in the UK and be able to refer students to relevant information.

i) Planning
• aims and purpose of venture
• choice of route linked to the above
• preparation of route plans

To provide a safe and rewarding experience for group members:
• through involvement, interest, enjoyment and adventure
• through imparting appropriate technical skills and competence
• through fostering environmental awareness and knowledge of the moorland environment
• through assessing foreseeable risks involved in the venture

To meet the changing needs of the group and its individual members
• by observation, anticipation and good judgement
• by sensitivity to the state of the group and of its members with particular regard to its health and fitness
• by maintaining confidence and enthusiasm despite uncertainty or stress
• by adopting leadership styles appropriate to the situation
• by reviewing the experience

Group Management:
• by setting and reviewing targets
• by positive decision making
• by delegation where appropriate
• by proper group control and discipline
• by good communication
• by group shadowing and more progressive methods of remote supervision

ii) Organisation and Responsibilities
• to parents, to individual group members, to the group as a whole and to themselves
• to sponsoring Authority or Governing Body and to the Head Teacher, Local Manager or other person organizing/sanctioning the walk
• to carry out the initial planning, eg. obtain parental consent, authority clearance, personal information, costings, insurance arrangements etc.
• to members of the public

iii) Weather
• candidates should have a basic knowledge of weather, and an ability to make short term forecasts from observed weather conditions
• ability to gain and interpret a local weather map and short term forecast, and apply its significance for the group on their route selection and level of activity.

iv) Equipment
• adequate personal clothing for any conditions likely to be encountered
• emergency personal and group equipment

v) Navigation
• Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, to break it down into 'coarse' and 'fine' navigation and to use clear features en route to check that they are 'on course'.
• Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy 'aiming off', 'attack points', 'collecting features', simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain. Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and navigation factors affecting route choice.
• Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
• Employ simple relocation strategies when lost.
• Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear features on both map and ground.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the above navigation skills in poor visibility

vi) Risk management
• awareness of hazards associated with moorland walking
• familiarity with accident procedures, Emergency First Aid and Mountain Rescue Committee Search Team procedures
• fatigue, hypothermia
• hazards associated with heavy rainfall
• emergency bivouac skills
• near miss analysis

Access and the Conservation of the Environment
• adopt a philosophy of minimal environmental impact
• awareness of the multiple uses of moorland areas and conservation issues
• appreciation of effects of human pressures on the moorland environment and the impact of outdoor recreation
• how and where to get information on access (eg. Ownership, firing ranges, specially designated areas)
• Country Code
• Current legislation concerning access to the countryside in upland areas

3. PREREQUISITES FOR TRAINING
1. Minimum age of candidate – 18. (In exceptional circumstances an application may be made by candidates in their 18th year to the nominated person of the Local Operating Authority.)
2. Coastal and Countryside Assessment or Bronze National Navigation Award level equivalent skills.
3. To be registered on the South West Mountain and Moorland Leader training scheme, separate fee of £30 payable (an application form will be issued once your place on the course has been confirmed).