Active’s Instructor Training Courses are designed to offer people who are passionate about the outdoors a quick breakthrough to a career as an instructor or guide. No other course offers students such a wide range of activities and possible outcomes in an area as spectacular and diverse as the Cairngorms National Park.

Our team of highly experienced & qualified instructors look forward to meeting and working with you but, more importantly, the opportunity to inspire and guide you on your outdoor journey.

Activities and possible outcomes of Active Instructor Training Course

* Assessments may be available to those who have previously completed the appropriate NGB training courses

Cost & Time saving option

To make the course more appealing to a wider audience we are happy to consider allowing students exemption from one course activity (except ML) This is designed to allow those with limited time or budget to complete the course and still achieve the main course outcomes. Please call to discuss this option and confirm savings.

Course outline

The Course is based at Craigower Lodge Outdoor Centre in Newtonmore. This is 12 miles from Aviemore and set 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.

Most of your training will take place within the National Park, but we will make forays to the west coast or to the far north. Within 30 minutes of Craigower Lodge you can access around 50 Munros, 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 & Findhorn. We are only 30 minutes from Cairngorm Mountain ski area and 45 from the Nevis Range. We are also surrounded by hundreds of miles of superb mountain biking trails. The 2 week climbing module is normally based in Spain’s Costa Blanca region which is renowned for its abundance of great climbs and walks. Our ski or snowboard training (group size dependent) will be in America’s Rocky Mountains. Previous training courses have been in Colorado and Utah - next year’s venue has still to be confirmed.

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 and we will offer you career advice for the outdoor industry. We feel privileged to live and work in such an amazing place - we want to share it with you and take you to places of breathtaking beauty and splendour. We will share great adventures that you will cherish for life. This is your opportunity to train in a world class venue with a leading and established adventure Company.

Our Environment

Outdoor activities can have a serious impact on the landscape, flora and fauna. An important aspect of this course is to raise people’s awareness of the impact we have and how this can be kept to a minimum. We are acutely aware that many people make a living from the countryside. At Active we take a pro-active approach to ensuring best practice is adhered to and we therefore work in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It is important to Active to ensure that good working relationships with other land users and land owners are established and maintained.

Clothing & Equipment

All technical equipment can be provided with the exception of clothing and footwear and some personal expedition equipment. You will need good quality clothing such as goretex jacket and trousers and quality walking boots - see the full equipment list. We will be glad to advise on equipment and you can purchase equipment from our outdoor equipment shop in Aviemore. Participants on the ITC course will be eligible for a discount of 15%. Our shop staff, experienced outdoor enthusiasts and instructors themselves, are always glad to talk to you about the course and the most appropriate equipment for training and working as an instructor.

Getting here

Newtonmore despite its remoteness 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 – Citylink Bus from across the UK to Newtonmore.

Week	Activity	Details of 18 week training programme
1	Introduction	The course will begin with a day of orientation and induction to the centre & staff.
	SRA 6 Day Raft Guide Course	The Scottish Rafting Association (SRA) raft guide training scheme is highly regarded and is an internationally recognised qualification. A great qualification to have if you have a notion to work throughout the world. At the end of this course you should hold the SRA level 1 raft guide award minimum. With so many great rivers nearby you are assured to get the best possible training experience on this course. Some of the rivers we raft are the Spey, Findhorn, Tay, Tummel, & Garry.
2	Mountain Skills Training & First Aid	The mountain skills training week is the first of our training weeks preparing you for Summer Mountain Leader Award Training. The SML is a nationally recognised Hillwalking Leadership award allowing the holder to lead groups in the mountains across the UK. It is governed by the Scottish Mountain Leader Training Board. We feel this award is a cornerstone for other outdoor NGB awards as it demonstrates, in a number of way’s, that this person is a “safe pair of hands” - it has so many cross-transferable leadership elements. Your mountain skills will be learned and fine tuned on our doorstep - The Monadhliath, Cairngorms, Drumochter and Ben Alder mountain ranges. What better training ground in the UK for this purpose? Topics for this week will be:- First aid 2 day course Map interpretation Compass & Navigation Timing & pacing Route planning Emergency procedures Weather Access & The environment Quality Mountain Days (QMDs) To attend this course you will need to register with the MLTS or the MLTUK
3&4	Ski Training in the American Rockies	The perfect place to learn to ski - arguably the best snow in the world and great lift systems with a minimal amount of queuing means maximum learning time for you. We will be training and assessing you on an ongoing basis as we work through the UK Snowsports Awards. Previous candidates have achieved between levels 4 & 7 level 7 being the standard for entry on to the Alpine Ski Leader (ASL) course and the British Association of Ski Instructors (BASI) Level 1 course. Regardless of the standard you achieve on this trip you will have an amazing experience.
2 Weeks Consolidation / Holiday Period
5&6	Rock Climbing Training in Spain	We're on our way to sunny Spain! We fly out to Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca where there is an abundance of rock climbing at all grades. Spain offers warm and dry conditions which are important to help develop your climbing skills quickly. We will be staying in comfortable self-catering hostel type accommodation. You will be taught the skills required to attend the Single Pitch Award (SPA) training or assessment course which is held at the end of the course. This will include climbing technique, rope work, lead climbing, abseiling and group management.
7	Mountain Bike Training TCL	We switch our attention to mountain biking and the Trail Cycle Leader Award - TCL. The scheme offers awards at two levels - the Trail Cycle Leader and the Mountain Bike Leader. Our Focus will be the Trail Cycle Leader Award which consists of pre-course training around the National Park trails followed by two days on the SMBLA training course.
	Winter Skills Training	This 2 day course will teach you how to use ice axes & crampons and equip you with the essential skills required to travel safely in Scotland’s mountains in winter conditions. Course content:- Use of ice axes & crampons Step cutting Avalanche Awareness Route planning Navigation Winter weather Dealing with emergencies
8&9	SML Training	SML preparation will continues with an intensive 2 weeks of training while gaining quality mountain days to achieve the Mountain Leader Training pre-requisite of 20 QMDs. You will further consolidate the skills developed in week 6 through:- Expedition planning Group management QMDs Compass & Navigation Timing & pacing Route planning Emergency procedures Weather
10	Mountain Skills Training	The mountain training theme continues. While clocking up more Quality Mountain Days, your skills and confidence will be growing rapidly. We will also look at the following areas:- Security on steep ground Night navigation Dealing with water hazards QMDs
11	Self Guided Walks & Expedition/s	This week you will put your newly developed skills to the test as you get the opportunity to plan & undertake some self supported walks with the possibility of an overnight expedition.
12	Kayaking	The programme covers kayaking skills leading to the UKCC level 1 coach award. We will use both river and sea kayaks. The initial phase will include basic paddle strokes and manoeuvres as well as rescue skills. You will then progress onto the BCU star award scheme. This will be an ongoing phase of coaching and assessment to the point of gaining 2 Star and covering some 3 Star skills. Time will also be spent in a local swimming pool covering rescues and rolling technique. You will be trained in safety and rescue methods before going on to complete the BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Training course (FSRT). This course covers a host of safety issues including self rescue and group rescue scenarios.  As your skills develop you will progress onto rivers and the sea where you will develop some 4 star skills on trips to the coast and rivers Spey, Tay or Ness. In this phase you will learn about trip planning and leadership.  Once you have achieved the BCU's 2 star award in both kayak and canoe and passed the FSRT course, you will be ready to attend the new UKCC level 1 coach award training course.  You must first be registered with the BCU. There is a charge made by the BCU or SCA for this registration and for star award certificates - see:-www.bcu.org.uk/
1 week Consolidation / Holiday Period
13	Canoeing	Our canoeing programme again will lead to the UKCC level 1 coach award. We have a fine range of Canadian canoes for solo and doubles paddling. The initial phase will include basic paddle strokes and manoeuvres as well as rescue skills. You will then progress onto the BCU star award scheme. This will be an ongoing phase of coaching and assessment to the point of gaining 2 Star and covering some 3 Star skills. You will be trained in safety and rescue methods before going on to complete the BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Training course (FSRT). This course covers a host of safety issues including self rescue and group rescue scenarios it is a generic course for both canoes and kayaks. As your skills develop you will plan some journeys on lochs and rivers. You will begin to develop some 4 star skills on these trips. In this phase you will learn about trip planning and leadership. Once you have achieved the BCU's 2 star award in both kayak and canoe and passed the FSRT course, you will be ready to attend the new UKCC level 1 coach award training course.  You must first be registered with the BCU. There is a registration charge made by the BCU or SCA for this award and for star award certificates - see:-www.bcu.org.uk/
14	Expedition/s	This week we will head off into the wilds. This is your big chance to really put into practice all the skills and knowledge you have gained so far. This will be a tangible milestone of your achievements so far. Weather will play a part in deciding where we go and our mode of transport, but our first choice would be to canoe into a remote part of the west coast and spend a few days climbing mountains.
15	Consolidation Week + Mountain Bike TCL	This week will give candidates the opportunity to focus on areas they feel require improvement or to catch up on days / routes for the purpose of ensuring you have the minimum requirements for training or assessment courses over the following weeks.
16	UKCC Level 1 & FSRT	This generic course is the first step on the paddle sport coaching pathway. You must have 2 stars in 2 different craft to attend the course as well as have completed the Foundation Safety & Rescue Test (FSRT) course. This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of good coaching practice and helps you to understand and coach technical and tactical aspects of your sport. As a level one coach you will be able to plan, deliver and review beginner canoe & kayak sessions as well as assist more experienced coaches.
17	SML Training	The ML course is a nationally recognised walking award allowing the holder to lead groups in the Scottish mountains and other mountains across the UK. It is governed by the Scottish Mountain Leader Training Board (SMLTB). To attend the ML training course you will need to register with the SMLTB or the MLTUK and have 20 quality mountain days logged.
18	SPA Training	The Single Pitch Award (SPA) is a nationally recognised climbing supervisor award offered by the Mountain Leader Training Scotland (MLTS) or MLTUK with whom you will need to register to attend the training course. The scheme offers climbers a way to gain a qualification to lead groups on single pitch rock climbs.

This is an outline plan of the course only but should offer an idea of the course content & structure. The course is normally split up into shorter modules rather than week long blocks etc. Dates may alter due to factors such as weather, group training priorities etc.