Upcoming activity training

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

DateDescriptionVenueOpen To
27th Nov 2024 19:00Night Navigation WorkshopHambleden near HenleyAnyone that can use a compass and read contours
8th Dec 2024 09:00Terrain 2 Ropework WorkshopTBC, BerkshireThose working towards or that hold Terrain 2 permits
6th Mar 2025 19:00Remote Supervision WorkshopOnlinePermit 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 10:00Introduction to Navigation and OrienteeringGreenham CommonEntry level, those learning to navigate.

Weekends

DateDescriptionVenueOpen To
18-19th Jan 2025Terrain 1 and 2 training & assessmentClogwyn Centre, SnowdoniaAll interested in leading
Hillwalking
5-6th Apr 2025Terrain 1 training & assessmentBrecon BeaconsAll interested in leading
Hillwalking
21-22nd Jun 2025Terrain 1 & Lightweight Expedition Nights Away training & assessmentDartmoorAll interested in leading
Hillwalking
27-28th Sep 2025Terrain 1 training & assessmentMid-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 2023-4

DescriptionDateVenue Open to
Learn to Climb6 Dec 2023,
22 Feb & 11 May
– Evenings
Earleywood Anyone wanting
to learn to climb
with a view to
eventually gaining
a permit
Training for
a climbing wall
permit
17 Jan & 21 March
– Evenings
EarleywoodAnyone with basic
climbing skills
wanting training
to run climbing
on a wall
Assessment for
climbing wall permit
10 Jan, 13 March,
13 Jun & 8 Oct
– Evenings
EarleywoodAnyone ready for
assessment
CPD Workshop
– Rescues
13 Dec 2023
– Evening
EarleywoodFor experienced
climbers especially
those holding or
about to renew
climbing permits
CPD Workshop
– Disabilities
4 April – EveningEarleywood
CPD Workshop
– Abseiling & Disabilities
11 May
– Afternoon
Earleywood
CPD Workshop
– Mobile Tower Setup
9 July – Evening79th Reading
CPD Workshop
– Tyrolean Traverses
4 Sept – EveningEarleywood
CPD Workshop
– Tech Tips
14 Nov – EveningEarleywood
High ropes training
& assessment for
Earleywood
26 March, 17April
& 19 Sept
EarleywoodAnyone with basic
climbing skills
wanting to use high
ropes at Earleywood
Crate stacking training
& assessment
21 MarchEarleywoodAnyone with basic
climbing skills
wanting to run
crate stacking
Peaks Rock Course –
Training for a
Permit
1-2 JunePeak DistrictExperienced climbers
wanting to run
sessions on rock
Peaks Rock Course –
Permit assessment
1-2 JunePeak DistrictAssessment for
single pitch top
rope climbing
on rock
Peaks Rock Course –
Introduction to
Resin to Rock
1-2 JunePeak DistrictClimbers 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 2024

DescriptionDateVenueOpen to
Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment28 JanSwinley ForestAnyone 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 2024

DateDescriptionVenueOpen to
27-28 JanArchery permit course (Training & assessment) Bears RailsAnyone seeking a permit to run
archery
TBAAir rifle training & assessment 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 2024

DateDescriptionVenueOpen To
13 AprilMoving water skills dayTBAExperienced paddlers on B1 waters seeking to expand their skills
27 April Canoeing & kayaking
Assessments
MaidenheadAnyone who wants to be assessed to run canoeing &/or kayaking & needs a practical assessment

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 2024

DateDescriptionVenueOpen to
18-19 MayTraining & Assessment for SUPsTBAExperienced SUPpers seeking a permit to run SUP sessions
TBASUP taster sessionTBAAll 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.

Rafting – training & assessment 2024

DateDescriptionVenueOpen to
14 April 2024Raft building & permit CourseMaidenheadAnyone seeking a permit to run rafting

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

DateDescriptionVenueOpen to
TBATraining & Assessment CourseTBAAnyone 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 2024

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 £90 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. 

DateDescriptionVenueOpen to
16-17 March2 day Outdoor First AidTBAPermit holders and anyone else seeking
a higher level of first aid than First Response
8-9 June2 day Outdoor First AidTBA
21-22 Sept2 day Outdoor First AidTBA
30Nov-1 Dec 2 day Outdoor First AidTBA

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.

How to get involved

Register interest in volunteering or join our youth programme