Access Course Outline

Below we have outlined a provisional plan to give you a flavour of what will be achieved within each week of the course.

Week 1
Gives you the opportunity to try a variety of activities like Raft building, Abseiling, Archery, Scrambling, Gorge walking, Climbing and a mountain day. This will also allow you to get to know your fellow team members and learn some new skills.

Week 2
During this team development week you will use a variety of activities like High Ropes, Archery, Team Games, Raft Building and Problem Solving Exercises which will allow you to experience new activities, and learn about yourselves and your fellow team mates in a different way. We will focus on leadership, team development, learning styles, reviewing and feedback.

Week 3
Introduction to some new activities and give you the basic skills in canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking as well as furthering your climbing knowledge and confidence on the rock and belaying.

Week 4
This maybe your first experience of sailing, but come the end of the week we will have you sailing confidently in wayfarers and Pico’s having learnt the basic skills in a Hawk. You will have also gained your RYA Level 1 Dinghy sailing award and for those who have sailed before your Level 2 in enough experience is shown.

Week 5
Full week of climbing visiting climbing crags around the park and with a trip to Kendal Climbing Wall. You will learn new techniques in how to become a better climber which will improve you confidence on the rock. You will learn how to tie a handful of knots and use them in real situations. By the end of the week you will have the buzz for climbing with the knowledge and skills to visit the local climbing walls and venues in you own free time.

Week 6
Developing your personal canoeing and kayaking skills working towards the BCU 2 Star. You will become confident in rescuing other course members and yourselves, and will learn how to paddle in a straight line with grace and style. During the week you will embark on an overnight expedition using a canoe to transport you and you equipment along one of the Lake District magical lakes.

Week 7
This hill walking week will provide you with the necessary skills to take you and your friends into the mountains with confidence. During the week we will cover map and compass work, route planning, emergencies procedures, weather, access and conservation. These days will also provide good evidence and experience for your ML log book. We will also cover night navigation on our 2 day expedition where we will stay in a local Bothy.

Week 8
Two day ITC Outdoor First Aid Course covering all the essentials of becoming an outdoor first aider and then climbing new crags, whilst developing your rope work and climbing ability.

Week 9
Learning essentials of becoming a good and safe power boater. You will be working towards the RYA Level 2 Inland syllabus over the two days, whilst the rest of the week will be spent climbing, with the introduction of learning how to lead and set up for personal climbing.

Week 10
Focussing purely on canoeing and working towards the canoe aspect of the BCU 2 Star. By the end of the week you will be able to paddle a canoe confidently and show a variety of skills and techniques and demonstrate that you are a two star paddler. Experience some white water and paddle some different lakes.

Week 11
This week will allow exploring and developing your biking skills, knowledge and log books. We start of gently looking at position, braking, maintenance, speed and nutrition. You will experience the highs and lows along some amazing cross country trails and also visit the manmade trails of Whinlatter.

Week 12
This week will focus purely on kayaking and working towards the kayak aspect of the BCU 2 Star. By the end of the week you will be able to paddle a kayak confidently and show a variety of skills and techniques and demonstrate that you are a two star paddler. You will have the chance also to experience some white water and paddle some different lakes.

Week 13
Spending time in the hills of Dumfries and Galloway. You will live and experience life in a Pod and to develop your confidence and riding skills on a variety of the 7 Stanes Mountain Bike trails. We explore the high mountains of Galloway either by foot or by bike and experience the delights of a Scottish bothy.

Week 14
Completing Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT) and also learn a variety of white water skills in canoes and kayaks. Depending on the water levels you will experience some of the best white water that the Lakes has to offer and become a more confident and rounded paddler.

Week 15
Hill walking in the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. This week will focus on self lead trips with you planning and preparing routes in the evenings and then completing them the next day. The final two days being an overnight expedition of the group’s choice.

Week 16
A week of consolidation to review the skills that have been learnt and gaining group experience, with the opportunity of doing some work experience at one of the local centres.

Week 17
During your RYA Safety Boat training (2 days), you will learn to drive and man a safety boat with confidence. You will learn how to deal with different situations and rescue a variety of water craft. We will also cover the safe rescue of crews and prevention of further damage to boats and equipment.Your Disability Awareness Training (1day) will cover the theory elements of how to help and look after people with different disabilities and will also give you the opportunity to try out these new ideas and techniques with other students. The other 2 days of the week will cover the practical sessions of abseiling and climbing.

Week 18
Covering kayaking skills leading to the UKCC level 1 coach award in both canoes and kayaks.From basic paddle strokes and manoeuvres as well as rescue skills. An introduction to fundamentals of good coaching and the understanding of coach technical and tactical aspects. It includes both training and assessment over 4 days, introducing the session planning, delivery and review, and safe practice, along with top tips, games and activities to use in your sessions. The aim is for you to gain the confidence, skills and techniques you need to encourage and improve others. There is a mixture of practical tasks, a multiple choice question paper, and tutor questioning for assessments.

Week 19
The final week of the course will finish with your summer mountain leader training. This will be run over 6 days. During Mountain Leader Award Courses you will develop group management skills, the ability to navigate in all conditions, gain an understanding of how to deal with mountain hazards and increase your awareness of environmental issues. There is also an expedition element to the syllabus. Also including end of course reviews and a bit of fun to summarise the best moments of the course.