The Camping Leader qualification is designed for the many thousands of volunteers, teachers and support staff who are involved in supervising groups at campsites but are not involved in running their daytime activities and do not intend to pursue a walking qualification. It is ideal for those involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the President’s Award and Ten Tors training, among other things.
Skills and requirements
The skills covered apply to groups using commercial campsites as well as wild camping. No previous Mountain Training qualifications are necessary, just some personal experience of camping (five camps) and supervising camping (two camps).
People who already hold a Mountain Training walking leadership qualification can access the Camping Leader to qualify them to take groups camping in terrain within the scope of their walking qualification i.e. journey and camp as a Lowland Leader or a Hill and Moorland Leader. It could also be used by people with paddling or cycling leadership qualifications.
Supporting the delivery of camping activities
John Cousins, Chief Executive of Mountain Training UK and Ireland said, “We’re excited to be launching a truly accessible qualification that will support the delivery of camping activities for hundreds of thousands of young people and adults in the UK and Ireland.
“We have listened to feedback from across the sector and are confident this new Camping Leader qualification will provide an opportunity for more and more people to get involved in supervising camping. The novel use of an optional online training course followed by a one day practical assessment is an effort to provide potential Camping Leaders with a flexible route to qualification which is likely to appeal to those with lots of experience as well as those who are new to camping.”
More information
To find out more about the Camping Leader qualification, please see Mountain Training’s news release and details about the qualification and handbook.