Join us in the woods and become a qualified environmental education instructor! Our course offers a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to traditional Forest School training, giving you all the skills and knowledge you need to lead groups of all ages in the great outdoors.
Woodland Activity Leader Training (WALT) is accredited through the NCFE with a Level 2 qualification. You will learn the essential outdoor skills needed to lead your own exciting outdoor education sessions for all ages and abilities.
Our WALT training programme uses a combination of online learning, for the theoretical modules (Part 1) which you can study in your own time, and in-person outdoor workshops for the practical modules (Part 2). The in-person training takes place over just 3 days. This makes the training particularly attractive to those already in full time employment as it requires a reduced time commitment. In addition, courses usually take place from Friday to Sunday.
Get certified to teach in nature. Start your adventure in outdoor education today.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
WALT is an in-depth training course ideally suited to anyone interested in leading groups in an outdoor setting. Perfect for primary and secondary school teachers, park rangers, outdoor pursuits instructors, social workers or those wishing to set up their own outdoor education business. WALT will enable you to take your target audience on exciting, inspirational and educational outdoor adventures with confidence and competence.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE COST?
The total cost per person is £560.00. This is broken down into 2 payments, covering Part 1: Theory and Part 2: Practical. The theory module (delivered online) costs £200.00 per person. The 3 day practical skills course costs £360.00 per person.
HOW DO I BOOK A COURSE?
We host the practical 3 day course twice a year. You can look at our events page for any upcoming dates.
The theory modules of the course (delivered online) can be taken at any time by yourself, as long as you have completed it by the time you attend your 3 day practical. This online segment of the course is hosted by the course creators Wild Things. To book your place on Part 1: Theory (online) then please follow this link to go to the Wild Things website.
If you’re a school or organisation looking to book several team members onto this course then please get in touch as we can host a custom date and venue to suit you.
Although this course is new to Wales, WALT has been successfully training up new outdoor educators in Scotland since 2014. In this short video, by the course creators Wild Things, you’ll learn more about the programme. Please note: this video refers to the 7 day version of the course. This has since been changed to the online course and 3 day outdoor practical format.
Your Tutor: James Kendall
James is our Head Outdoor Educator, having delivered hundreds of sessions to groups of all ages during his 20 years of experience. He is a qualified Forest School Leader, Social Forester and experienced Woodland Manager. James is the Chair of Forest School Wales, a charity established in 2003 to promote good practise and support the network of Forest School Practitioners across Wales. He is an active member of the Institute for Outdoor Learnings Bushcraft Professional Practise Group. He is also a member of the Learning Through Landscapes Accredited Network of trainers.
“I believe strongly that outdoor education has a large role to play in the future of how we teach our children. We’ve been learning in nature for thousands of years, well before we were put in classrooms. In the woods ‘challenging’ behaviour becomes regulated, usually disengaged learners are inspired and inquisitive minds are fostered. I’ve seen this happen with learners of all ages and it’s a testament to the power of the space you create as an educator. where learners can be themselves and thrive. My approach to teaching is with an emphasis on steering my students toward fostering a deeper connection with nature through understanding the landscape around us.”
More about the course
Below you can find out what exactly the course contains and also get answers to some common questions.
With the WALT course you will learn the necessary skills from scratch so you can share them with your own students when needed. These skills include:
- Environmental Education Methodology – Gain insight into the many approaches to outdoor learning. Learn how to make sessions accessible for people of all abilities and develop session plans to meet diverse needs.
- Bushcraft Skills – This includes making shelters, setting up tarps, wood carving, whittling, knot tying and making cordage using natural materials.
- Environmental Education Games – learn a wide variety of games suitable for a range of abilities, ages, learning styles and learning objectives.
- Tool Use – Learn how to safely use knives, saws, loppers and other cutting tools.
- Naturalist Knowledge – learn to identify native trees and plants, common invertebrates, mammals as well as their tracks and signs.
- Fire Lighting – Learn the principles of effective and safe fire lighting. This includes making appropriate tinder, kindling and using fire steels, maintaining a fire and managing a campfire space with groups.
- Conservation Activities – learn how to leave natural environments in a better state than when you found them, leave-no-trace policies as well as conservation crafts and activities such as: making bird feeders, bird houses, bug hotels, tree planting and much more!
- Health and Safety – Learn how to do risk assessment and group management in outdoor contexts, rights of access and other legal considerations and responsibilities.
- For the online theory module you will complete 7 worksheets covering the following topics; Leadership Methods, Invertebrates, Tree & Plant Identification, Statutory Support & Benefits, Tracks & Signs, Conservation & Leave No Trace and Outdoor Session Planning.
- Your coursework will be independently verified by Wild Things, the creators of WALT. The work you will be assessed on is a combination of written work and evidence of practical work you have undertaken.
Besides 3 days packed full of fun and learning in the outdoors (with plenty of time to put your new skills into practise) you will also gain:
- A Level 2 qualification accredited trough the NCFE.
- Your first outdoor session plan, designed by yourself to use in your setting.
- Course Handbook & Field Guide; 200 pages of essential resources, activity ideas and useful information.
- A tool-box of environmental activities and games sure to engage and excite your students.
- Confidence to deliver inspiring outdoor sessions safely.
- Naturalist skills that will help you bring the outdoors to life.
- Advice on what basic kit you need for your future outdoor programmes and a list of recommended suppliers.
- Access to the ongoing support after the course from our instructors and fellow students. This includes useful resources to help you develop further session plans in the future.
- Working since 2014, Woodland Classroom is a leading provider of nature-based education and wellbeing programmes in North Wales. Our instructors are highly experienced environmental educators with their own unique specialist skills and areas of expertise. They have honed their skills through years of delivering successful nature-based programmes to school children, young people and a wide variety of adult groups. We are excited to pass on our expertise to WALT participants so that we can enable you to deliver your own woodland-based activity sessions, giving even more people across the UK meaningful experiences with nature whilst also building a stronger, better network of outdoor educators for the future.
- The online units are typically undertaken by you in advance of attending the 3 days practical with us. However should you need to finish off any written parts after this time you will have 6 months to complete from the start date of the course.
ABOUT WALT & WILD THINGS
Wild Things are the creators of WALT. They are an award winning environmental education charity based in Scotland. Since 2003, Wild Things has enabled over 36,000 children, young people and adults to learn from, protect and find inspiration in their local natural environment. “We believe that the natural world is for everyone to enjoy, irrespective of age and ability.”
Their charitable programmes create transformative experiences, supporting health and wellbeing, community connection and conservation, cultivating a culture of care for each other and the natural world.
Up to now Woodland Activity Leader Training has only been available in Scotland but now Woodland Classroom has partnered up with Wild Things to deliver this popular qualification in Wales for the first time.
You can find out more about Wild Things and their great work over at their website.
Find Out More
Start your journey to get certified to teach in nature. Get in touch with us and let’s get connected.
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