Build confidence and skills in leading outdoor activity trips and expeditions

Oct. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- The Expedition Leadership Weekend is ideal if you work with young people and take them on trips involving outdoor activities, or perhaps you want to lead activity holidays such as walking and climbing.  

We spoke to Dom Hall, UK Director of Fieldskills, who are running the course.  Dom says, “This weekend is all about taking people through what is involved in leading groups, whether in an informal role, with a group of friends or family, as a volunteer or in a professional capacity.  It's about building confidence and increasing knowledge and skills. Previously we’ve had Duke of Edinburgh award leaders taking part, as well as university fieldworkers, someone heading off on a trip to south America and someone who had taken part in a few expeditions but was organising one himself for the first time.”

“We'll focus on robust pre-trip planning and all that this entails, as well as how to respond calmly and effectively in the field when things don’t go according to plan.  Effective training can make all the difference and this an have a huge impact on the outcome of a crisis. We’ll go through all the stages of organising and leading an expedition, including things like food and kit provisioning, as well as spending time looking at the soft skills that are vital for effective leadership.”

One of the best parts of Fieldskills’ courses, according to those who have attended before, is the somewhat tricky scenarios that Dom thinks up just to keep you on your toes!  Kaia from Swindon said, “It was a very organised and informative course.  The practical exercises were especially useful – made me aware of the importance of planning, even concerning familiar areas and activities.”

The weekend course also offers the opportunity to spend time with experienced expedition professionals, to get individual advice about your own trip and, if you’re interested, to find out about careers in the expedition industry.

The course takes place near Oxford on Sat 15 and Sun 16 October.  You can find full details on Fieldskills’ website: www.fieldskills.co.uk, or call for details on 0845 293 7296.
Fieldskills offer a special discount for people who book together, so if you and a friend book you will each get a £15 discount.

Fieldskills has bases in Ulverston and Borneo, and runs a range of expedition and fieldwork safety training courses as well as outdoor first aid courses and adventure travel expeditions. They work with universities, schools, outdoor instructors and others, including film crews when they need to reach remote locations.  Fieldskills supported the recent series “Gordon’s Great Escape” for Channel 4, when Gordon Ramsay scaled caves in Borneo in pursuit of the local bird nest delicacy.

# # #

Fieldskills: First Aid, Expedition, Fieldwork & Travel Safety Training for individuals, expedition companies, universities, fieldworkers & businesses. We use our heritage in outdoor pursuits & expeditions to help others complete safe & successful ventures