Typical! Our first BCU Leader training course this winter coincided with the weekend when the South West was covered with a deluge of rain. Ten hardy souls gathered at Delaware Outdoor Education Centre in late November to complete their leader training in open canoes, 1 day on open water and 1 day on moving water. Delegates had come from as far afield as South Wales, London and Hertfordshire to throw themselves (literally) into 2 days of training in paddling and leadership skills.

Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre, 15th November 2012

The Cornwall winter orienteering series kicked off on Sunday 28 th October at Minions, Bodmin Moor. Organised by Kerno – Cornwall Orienteering Club – these events take place once a month across the length and breadth of Cornwall. Forthcoming venues include Gwithian, Dunmere, Polly Joke and Lanhydrock. Details of all the fixtures and how to take part can be found on the club’s website.

I recently attended the Ten Tors team managers’ briefing at Okehampton Army Camp. For those not in the know the Ten Tors event is an annual challenge for young expedition teams who attempt to complete routes from north to south on Dartmoor. The official website can be found at: Ten Tors.

I recently spent a very enjoyable and productive couple of days on Dartmoor running a moorland leader training course. There were a number of teachers and D of E leaders in attendance and we were walking in the Crazy Well Pool area. The training is run under the auspices of the South West Mountain and Moorland Leader Training Scheme, now established for nearly 30 years.

Having just spent a very wet day on the northern part of Dartmoor you can’t help but admire the young people who undertake challenges like the Ten Tors or Duke of Edinburgh Award, both of which require participants to complete a self-reliant expedition.

Dartmoor midday June 30th 2012

Amongst the many pleasures of working for Cornwall Outdoors is the opportunity to deliver professional development in the outdoors to a wide audience of adults. Our courses range from the technical skills of leading adventure activities such as sailing, mountain biking, canoeing and moorland walking to improving professional practice in the school grounds.