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 Workshops
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 |
| 17th March 2026 19:00 | Remote Supervision | Online | Those supervising DofE or Chief Scout’s expeditions in lowland areas or hillwalking permit holders looking towards a remote supervision permit. |
| 21st May 2026 20:00 | Weather | Online | Anyone that enjoys hillwalking. This will be a deeper dive into understanding weather and it’s impacts. |
| Dec 2026 19:00 (exact day TBC in September) | Night Navigation | Berkshire (exact location TBC) | Those that can navigate with map and compass but want to improve their low visibility navigation. |
| Dec 2026 09:00 (exact day TBC in September) | Terrain 2 Ropework | Berkshire (exact location TBC) | Those working towards a Terrain 2 permit. Or Terrain 2 permit holders wishing to refresh their skills. |
Weekends
For more information and how to apply please visit the Mountain Team page where details will be announced as soon as they are available. Definitions of the terms used are beneath the table.
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
Hillwalking | |||
| 18-19th April 2026 | Terrain 1 training or assessment, or self-led hillwalking (QMDs) | Black Mountains | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 6-7th June 2026 | Lightweight expedition (wild camping) training or assessment plus Terrain 1 and 2 training or assessment, or self-led hillwalking (QMDs) | Carneddau, Snowdonia | Those interested in leading hillwalking, particularly those into DofE and backpacking |
| 11-12th Jul 2026 | Skills development (CPD) | Lake District | More experienced hillwalkers looking to develop their personal skills beyond that required for a permit. |
| 26-27th Sep 2026 | Terrain 1 training or assessment, or self-led hillwalking (QMDs) | Peak District | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 23-24th Jan 2027 | Terrain 1 and 2 training or assessment, skills development (CPD), or self-led hillwalking (QMDs) | Clogwyn Centre, Snowdonia | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
- Terrain 1 refers to rolling hills and moorland such as Dartmoor, Brecon Beacons, Peak District, etc…
- Terrain 2 refers to mountainous, complex terrain such as Snowdonia or the Lake District.
- QMDs are Quality Mountain Days; days where you take the lead on organising and leading a hillwalking day. The aim is to consolidate or practice your hillwalking skills to keep yourself sharp. Essentially you use our trips as a base to find walking companions and do your own thing.
- CPD is Continuing Professional Development; on these events the Mountain Team will teach you skills above and beyond that required for a permit. Hopefully these weekends inspire you to do more adventurous activities in the mountains.
Climbing training & assessment 2026
All courses at Earleywood Campsite (19.00–22.00).
| Date | Course |
| TBA | Climbing & Crate Stack Assessment High Ropes Assessment |
| TBA | Learn the basics (learn to climb) |
| TBA | Climbing High Ropes Training |
| TBA | Climbing & Crate Stack Assessment High Ropes Training |
| TBA | Climbing Training High Ropes Training |
For more information see: Climbing Team page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.) For the sessions at Earleywood please make clear whether you want climbing or abseiling. If we have not yet published a date for the course you want, please complete the online form to help us assess demand and act accordingly.
Off Road Cycling 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 7 February | Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | Swinley Forest | Anyone seeking a permit to lead Off-Road Cycling and having relevant experience |
| 12 April | Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | Nettlebed | “ |
| 7 June | Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | Greenham Common | “ |
| 2nd August | Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | Swinley Forest | “ |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.)
Archery & Shooting training & assessment 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 24-25 January 2026 | Archery permit course (Training & assessment) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking a permit to run archery |
| 21-22 March 2026 | Archery permit course (Training & assessment) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking a permit to run archery |
| TBA | Air rifle training & assessment (NSRA YPS Course) | TBA | Anyone seeking the qualification for running an air rifle range (must be over 18) |
For further information see: Shooting Team page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.)
Paddlesport Training & Assessment Courses
Paddlesport Safety & Rescue training 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 29 March | Paddlesport safety & Rescue Training | Wraysbury | Anyone seeking a permit /permit renewal who hasn’t practised or updated their rescue skills recently |
| 6 June | Paddlesport safety & Rescue Training | Caversham | Anyone seeking a permit /permit renewal who hasn’t practised or updated their rescue skills recently |
These courses will be run in accordance with the requirements for Paddle UK’s Paddlesport Safety & Rescue Training Course. They are not for beginners; you need to be at least a competent paddler on B1 inland waters. While there will be no charges for those in Berkshire Scouting to attend the course, if you want a Paddle UK certificate of completion which is recognised outside Scouting, there is an extra cost which you will need to pay. For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply for the safety & rescue training, go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.)
Canoeing & Kayaking 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 12 April (+ online session on evening of 25th March) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | Wraysbury | Experienced canoeists or kayakers who want to be assessed to run canoeing &/or kayaking & needs a practical assessment |
| 20 June (+ online session on evening of 3rd June) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | Caversham | Experienced canoeists or kayakers who want to be assessed to run canoeing &/or kayaking & needs a practical assessment |
It is strongly recommended that you go on a Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course before coming for a assessment unless you have updated and practised rescue techniques recently. For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply for the assessment days go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.)
SUP (Stand-up Paddle Board) training & Assessment 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | 2 day Training & Assessment Course for a SUP permit | TBA | Experienced SUPers 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 and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.) If we have not yet published a date, please complete the online form to help us assess demand and act accordingly.
Bell Boating – training & assessment 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | 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 and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.) If we have not yet published a date, please complete the online form to help us assess demand and act accordingly.
Rafting – training & assessment 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | Traditional Raft building & permit Course | Maidenhead | Anyone seeking a permit to run rafting |
| TBA | Traditional Rafting Refresher Course for Permit holders | Maidenhead | Rafting permit holders |
Please note that you will need to be competent paddler, rower etc. so that you can effect a rescue from a boat in deep water away from a bank. For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.) If we have not yet published a date, please complete the online form to help us assess demand and act accordingly.
Pulling (fixed seat rowing) training & assessment 2026
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | Training & Assessment Course | TBA | Anyone seeking a permit |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the activities section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.) If we have not yet published a date, please complete the online form to help us assess demand and act accordingly.
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 2026
An accredited trainer delivers the Outdoor Pursuits 16-hour First Aid training course for us at well below the usual commercial rates.
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 |
| 24-25 January 2026 | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | 89th Reading | Permit holders & anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than “First Response” |
18-19 July 2026 | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | Wash Common, Newbury | Permit holders & anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than “First Response” |
| 19-20 September 2026 | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | 89th Reading | Permit holders & anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than “First Response” |
| 28-29 November 2026 | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | Wokingham Waterside Centre | Permit holders & anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than “First Response” |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website and you will find our courses in the first aid section. (You will be asked to log in – see * below if you cannot log in or are under 18.)
*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 you 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.