This page sets out dates for upcoming activity training. More details about the various activities can be found on pages dedicated to the activity. See menu (left).
Hillwalking training & assessment weekends and courses 2024-2025
For more details on the below workshops and weekends and how to book please see the Mountain Team pages.
Workshops
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 27th Nov 2024 19:00 | Night Navigation Workshop | Hambleden near Henley | Anyone that can use a compass and read contours |
| 8th Dec 2024 09:00 | Terrain 2 Ropework Workshop | TBC, Berkshire | Those working towards or that hold Terrain 2 permits |
| 6th Mar 2025 19:00 | Remote Supervision Workshop | Online | Permit holders looking towards a Remote Supervision permit or those that supervise DofE/Chief Scout’s expeditions in lowland areas where permits are not required. |
| 10th May 2025 10:00 | Introduction to Navigation and Orienteering | Greenham Common | Entry level, those learning to navigate. |
Weekends
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 18-19th Jan 2025 | Terrain 1 and 2 training & assessment | Clogwyn Centre, Snowdonia | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 5-6th Apr 2025 | Terrain 1 training & assessment | Brecon Beacons | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 21-22nd Jun 2025 | Terrain 1 & Lightweight Expedition Nights Away training & assessment | Dartmoor | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 27-28th Sep 2025 | Terrain 1 training & assessment | Mid-Wales (Aran Mountains) | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
For more information and how to apply please visit the Mountain Team page where details will be announced as soon as they are available.
Climbing training & assessment 2024
| Date | Venue | Open to |
| 4 April – Evening | Earleywood | “ |
| 9 July – Evening | 79th Reading | “ |
| 4 Sept – Evening | Earleywood | “ |
| 14 Nov – Evening | Earleywood | “ |
| 26 March, 17April & 19 Sept | Earleywood | Anyone with basic climbing skills wanting to use high ropes at Earleywood |
| 21 March | Earleywood | Anyone with basic climbing skills wanting to run crate stacking |
| 1-2 June | Peak District | Experienced climbers wanting to run sessions on rock |
| 1-2 June | Peak District | Assessment for single pitch top rope climbing on rock |
| 1-2 June | Peak District | Climbers wanting to develop their skills |
For more information see: Climbing Unit page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section. For the sessions at Earleywood please make clear whether you want climbing or abseiling.
Off Road Cycling 2025
| Description | Date | Venue | Open to |
| Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | TBA | Anyone seeking a permit to lead Off-Road Cycling and having relevant experience |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Archery & Shooting training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | Archery permit course (Training & assessment) | Anyone seeking a permit to run archery | |
| 22-23 Feb | Air rifle training & assessment (NSRA YPS Course) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking the qualification for running an air rifle range (must be over 18) |
For further information see: Shooting Unit page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Canoeing & Kayaking 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 23 March (+ online session on evening of 12 March) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | TBA | Anyone who wants to be assessed to run canoeing &/or kayaking & needs a practical assessment |
| 14 June (+ online session on evening of 4 June) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | TBA | “ |
| 12 October | Moving Water skills Session | Newbury | Experienced paddlers on B1 waters seeking to expand their skills |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
SUP (Stand-up Paddle Board) training & Assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 26 & 27 April | 2 day Training & Assessment Course for a SUP permit | TBA | Experienced SUPpers seeking a permit to run SUP sessions |
| TBA | SUP taster session | TBA | All paddlers new to SUPs who are interested in being able to run SUP sessions |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Bell Boating – training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 27th May | Bell Boating Assessment Course | Maidenhead | Anyone seeking a permit to run bellboating. |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Rafting – training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 12 April | Traditional Raft building & permit Course | Maidenhead | Anyone seeking a permit to run rafting |
| 12 April | Traditional Rafting Refresher Course for Permit holders | Maidenhead | Rafting permit holders |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Pulling (fixed seat rowing) training & assessment 2024
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | Training & Assessment Course | TBA | Anyone seeking a permit |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
DofE Expedition Assessor training
Unless you are accredited by the DofE Award scheme you are no longer able to assess a DofE Award expedition at any level. To become accredited you need to have completed an approved training course and been registered.
For further information see: DofE Award page.
First Aid training for adventurous activities 2025
An accredited trainer delivers the Outdoor Pursuits 16-hour First Aid training course for us at well below the usual commercial rates. The course is free for everyone in Berkshire Scouting and £110 for others.
As well as meeting The Scout Association requirements for a higher level first aid than First Response for adventurous activities in remote areas, the qualification is accepted by the the national governing bodies for hillwalking and climbing, paddle-sports, and sailing as meeting their mandatory requirements for leader & coaching qualifications. As the qualification is substantially higher than the Scout Assn’s ‘First Response’, there is no need to do the latter as well. However, like virtually all first aid qualifications, it is only valid for 3 years and renewal is by doing the whole course again.
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 11-12 Jan | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | TBA | Permit holders and anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than First Response |
| 8-9 March | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | TBA | “ |
| 13-14 Sept | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | TBA | “ |
| 13-14 Dec | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | TBA | “ |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the first aid section.
*If you cannot log onto the County website
You will only be able to log in to our County website if you have an adult role in Scouting in Berkshire on Compass. So if you are from outside Berkshire Scouting or are under 18, you will need to contact our County Administrator. If you cannot log in even though have a current adult role in Berkshire Scouting, please follow the lost password etc. procedure on our log in page. If that doesn’t work, contact our IT Helpdesk.