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18 WEEK OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE

Do you have a passion for adventure?

 

Are you aged 18+?

 

Are you seeking a career and lifestyle you love?

If you answered yes to these, this course is for you!
No previous experience is required.

Mendip Activity Centre's Accelerated Outdoor Instructor Training (AOIT) course is the best way to become a qualified outdoor activity instructor!

 

Whether you are completely new to the industry or looking to upskill with recognised qualifications, we can help.

Upcoming Courses

4th Nove
mber 2024 to 16th March 2025

2nd November 2025 to 15th March 2026

GET MORE INFORMATION

Get in contact with our team to receive a copy of the prospectus, find out more or to sign up...

Overview
learning how to tie the knots at the top of a climb

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

24 QUALIFICATIONS & COURSES: We'll cover all training, qualifications and assessments.

 

FULLY CATERED ACCOMMODTION: Based in a country lodge near Bristol at Mendip Activity Centre, Churchill, BS25 5PQ. 

NATIONWIDE TRAINING & SKI TRIP: Week-long expeditions to National Parks and a European Ski trip as well as overnight expeditions and day trips.

UNLIMITED SHADOWING: Shadow our experienced team and attend evening workshops delivered by industry experts.

CONTRACTS AVAILABLE: Summer and winter qualifications ensure year-round employment opportunities.  Job interviews are available upon completion of the course.

EQUIPMENT PACKAGE: An optional equipment package (worth £2,000) is available for £1,250.

Course Fees
£11,000. Fees included everything- all training, accommodation, catering, trips and transport. 

Finance plans are available

ROCK CLIMBING

The Mountain Training Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) Award is the industry standard for instructing climbing and abseiling in the UK. It qualifies you to work in indoor climbing centres, climbing walls and outside on rock.

 

Your first step will be to develop your personal climbing, undertaking the Rock Skills award. We’ll coach and support you to ensure you are climbing at the RCI standard of lead climbing at severe grade. You’ll train on some of the best crags in the UK with access to our private on-site rock sport quarry.

The course includes trips to indoor climbing walls as well as the Peak District, Dartmoor and the South Coast, so you can log some of the best climbs in the country.  Next, you’ll go through an intensive, three-day Rock Climbing Instructor Training with Mountain Training, the awarding body. This will cover technical competence, management and decision-making, teaching skills and the climbing environment.

 

In order to complete your Rock Climbing Instructor Assessment, you'll need to log additional indoor and outdoor climbs and observe or assist with climbing sessions. We will provide live shadowing opportunities during and after the course. 

Rock sports

PADDLESPORTS

The British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor qualifies you to run introductory sessions on canals, lakes and rivers in kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.


Your first step will be to develop your personal paddling skills in kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. You'll be assessed for the skills-based award, the Paddle Explore Award. Once you’re confident on flat water we’ll push you further on moving white water with the Intro to White Water Award.

With trips to Dartmoor and South Wales and rolling sessions in the swimming pool, you’ll soon be a confident and skilled paddler. 

Once you have developed your personal skills you will attend a Foundation and Safety Rescue Training which will teach you how to look after yourself and others while on the water. This will lead onto a Paddlesport Instructor and Paddlesport Leader training and assessment course which qualifies you to lead introductory sessions and trips in paddle sports.


The British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor, along with the RCI Climbing Instructor qualification are the two main qualifications expected within the industry. 

Paddle sports

SNOWSPORTS

The UKSS Level 1 Ski Foundation Instructor award qualifies you to instruct on artificial dry slopes or indoor snow domes.

 

Our experienced instructors will get you from snowplough to parallel skiing in no time. Once you can turn, control speed and avoid others, you can take advantage of using the slope anytime. You will also have an opportunity to learn to snowboard in your own time and we can advise you on how to get dual-qualified.


Once you are ready, external coaches from Snowsport England will guide you through the UKSS Level 1 Ski Foundation Instructor which focuses on refining your personal skiing and the fundamentals of teaching novice skiers from total beginners through to approaching parallel turns.

After completing this training you will need to log shadowing and coaching hours before completing the UKSS Level 1 Ski Foundation Instructor Assessment. We will support you by providing opportunities to shadow lessons that run during evenings and weekends.​

Snow sports

CAVING

The Mendip Hills conceals the largest underground cave network in the UK!

You won't undertake any formal qualifications in caving during your time on the course,  but we will be sure to introduce you to the wonderful world of caving.  

 

You will explore some beginner caves and our experienced team will guide you through more adventurous systems and underground on the Mendip Hills and South Wales.

 

As part of the course you'll undertake the British Caving Association Local Cave Leader Award training.  After a period of consolidation, the assessment is two-parts and you choose which caves and region to put on your ticket. 

 

Spending time underground is an exciting and challenging activity that will build up your physical and mental resilience. Caves are an important part of outdoor education in regions including South Wales, the Mendip Hills, Yorkshire and the Peak District. 

Caving

TARGET SPORTS

The more coaching awards you have the more diverse and fulfilling your career can be. The industry is always looking for flexible, multi-qualified instructors.

 

You'll learn how to shoot a bow and arrow and use a variety of air rifles. You'll then undertake the Archery GB Leader qualification and the National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA) Youth Proficiency Scheme Diploma.

These will enable you to deliver entry-level introductory sessions in Archery and Air Rifle.

 

There's no governing body for Axe Throwing, but we'll ensure you have the opportunity to try your hand at Axe Throwing.

HILL WALKING

The Lowland Leader Award is designed for people who want to lead groups on day walks in lowland countryside and woodland during summer conditions. It’s also a foundation qualification for those who might want to move on to the Mountain Leader qualification in the future.

Once you have completed your Training Course, a period of consolidation is required before going for your Assessment.

 

The DofE Expedition Supervisor & Assessor Award provides you with an understanding of the role and responsibilities of DofE expedition assessors and supervisors and to be able to apply the DofE key principles and expedition requirements.

You'll also undertake the Mountain Training personal Hill Skills award.

BUSHCRAFT &
FOREST SCHOOL 

TEAM BUILDING & FACILITATION 

INDOOR POOL SESSIONS

Outdoor pursuits

ALPINE SKI TRIP

Includes a week skiing in the Alps

Training in several National Parks

NATIONWIDE EXPEDITIONS

Other
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good value accommodation included in the course

ACCOMMODATION IN A COUNTRY LODGE

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MEALS AND DRINKS ALL INCLUDED 

get a full equipment package perfect for instructors with no experience

FULL EQUIPMENT PACKAGE
AVAILABLE

extras

QUALIFICATIONS

Mountain Training (MT)
Rock Climbing Instructor Training 
Rock Climbing Instructor Assessment

Lowland Leader Award Training

Lowland Leader Award Assessment
Hill Skills
Rock Skills

 

British Orienteering

Teaching Orienteering Part 1
 

British Caving

Cave Leader Level 1 Training
Cave Leader Level 1 Assessment

British Canoeing (BC)
Paddlesport Instructor

Paddlesport Leader

Paddle Explore Award

Foundation Safety and Rescue 
Intro to White Water

Duke Of Edinburgh (DofE)
DofE Supervisor & Assessor

Snowsports (SSE)

UKSS Level 1 Ski Foundation Instructor Training 

UKSS Level 1 Ski Foundation Instructor Assessment

Archery GB (AGB)
Archery Leader Training & Assessment 

 

National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NRSA) 

Rifle Instructor Training & Assessment

Other Qualifications

ITC Level 3 Outdoor First Aid Award

UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children 

Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate
UK Government Enhanced DBS

 

Additional Training

Learn to Snowboard
Bushcraft & Forest School

Team Building Facilitation 

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Qualifcations
Sign up
spending time training in the mountains learning how to navigate and be a leader

CAREER PROGRESSION

You'll finish the course ready to start, or develop, your career as an outdoor instructor.

 

Mendip Activity Centre are always looking for seasonal instructors - so this will be a great opportunity to get an interview under your belt.

Many choose to relocate after graduating; we will introduce you to other outdoor centres, help you put together a CV and supply references so you can work where you want Or, you could opt to become a freelancer and pick and choose where you work and what you do. 

Whatever you decide to do on graduation, this course is well respected in the industry and we have designed it so you will finish with great career prospects.  

TESTIMONIALS : COURSE GRADUATES

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INTERVIEW : CLAIRE

GET MORE INFORMATION...

Get in contact with our team for more information, download our prospectus, or to sign up...

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