Trainee Selection Day 2012
On Thursday 26th January we held Trainee Selection Day. In good weather the potential trainees, 19 of them, turned up in Wagtail looking ‘interested’. After the usual presentation about the course they did the All Aboard and some open boating, followed by interviews in the afternoon. of the 19, we had to whittle it down to 8 which was difficult as we found that most of them were pretty good. In the end it came down to personality as well as references from college.
We look forward to welcoming the promising new bunch on 16th April for 4 months of hard work.. for more details about the TrekCo Trainee Scheme click here
Potential Trainees being Briefed
TrekCo’s active staff
Steve Ranger, TrekCo Director, after climbing at Joshua Tree today
Happy New Year from us at TrekCo, from sunny California
Teambuilding for New Intakes
If you’re a teacher, a great way to introduce your new year group to each other and to you is by organising a TrekCo team day. These days are used by companies and Brighton University Business School, for whom we are the official supplier – Business School first year students take part in the days in the autumn, and the University are glowing in their praise of the results in terms of group cohesion and a reduction in dropouts. Feel free to contact Senior Economics Lecturer Mr. Babak Sodagar at Brighton University Business School for a reference.
This video gives a great overview of the days, which in 2012 cost just £29 + vat per person – no increase from 2011. Many top schools in our region take part in these days and we can supply you with numerous references from Heads of Sixth Form and Year 7 who will recommend us. We invented these Induction Days and have been running them for over 15 years – they are really popular!
Please call 01273 487509 or email info@trekco.com for details – we’re booking now for autumn 2012!
Trainee Selection 2012
in January we will be hosting Trainee Selection Day for the 2012 intake. Trainees can look forward to the tender care of Andy Camis (Beachy prior to 2011) for four months of intensive training. Some will make it; a few won’t – we wish all of our prospective new trainees the best of luck.
TrekCo trainees generally have spent a year or two at an outdoor college. On entering TrekCo they undergo four months of intensive training, culminating in going to the French Alps for two weeks. Compared to college the time at TrekCo is highly intensive, very hard work and 100% practical. However all of our trainees rate the course as one of the best things they’ve done.
TrekCo Winter Adventures
Here at TrekCo we believe that all of our staff should have their own adventures and maintain their outdoor skills. We encourage our staff to undertake new ventures, qualifications and trips wherever possible. One young instructor, Matt Hale, has just undertaken his Mountain Leader Assessment and others are walking and climbing in various locations.
Steve Ranger in is in California and Arizona, mountain biking and climbing. At the moment he’s in Joshua Tree National Park, one of the world’s best climbing areas and Steve’s regular winter haunt. The climbing is amazing as is the weather!
Joshua Tree - sun, perfect granite and great climbing..
Free Teacher Alps Trip 2012
In 2011 we advertised a free trip for teachers to the Alps. It seems as if we left it too late; despite having plenty of takers in 2009 there weren’t enough in 2011. So we’ve decided to start early this year.
It might seem odd to offer free trips, but we like to give teachers the chance to see what we do on our very best trip. We’re not trying to get you to take an Alps trip from your school; these are mostly booked up anyway and we can only take a small number as the activities are so specialised.
You have to get yourself to the Alps, but we’ll provide a campsite for the week, free food and free instruction (with equipment). Not a bad deal for £0.00! Dates: First week of the summer holidays 2012 (approx 23rd – 28th July).
If you’re interested, please let us know by emailing Steve at: steve@trekco.com
Staff Training at TrekCo
At TrekCo we train our staff continually. Last weekend 8 of our younger instructors attended SPA Training in North Wales, and next weekend they will be back in North Wales for night navigation training working eventually towards their Mountain Leader Award. All staff are continually monitored and trained, and everyone is observed on a regular basis.If you know anyone who you think is suitable for our Trainee Scheme starting next April for four months, direct them to: http://www.trekco.com/information-about-us-at-trekco/working-for-trekco.aspx for details of this intensive industry-leading course.
Some people however can find training a little tiring..
Learning Outside the Classroom Update
At TrekCo we hold the LOtC badge; just in case you’re not too aware of it here’s the latest, from their newsletter:
845 organisations have been accredited under the LOtC Quality Badge scheme to date. This autumn CLOtC will be commencing a campaign, region by region, to brief every school about the LOtC Quality Badge and its benefits. The briefing will remind schools that the LOtC Quality Badge is the only accreditation scheme that recognises good quality educational experiences where risk is effectively managed across ALL types of LOtC provision. If you are considering applying for the LOtC Quality Badge or your accreditation is approaching renewal, now is a good time to act to ensure you are listed as an LOtC Quality Badge holder as part of the briefing. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is very supportive of the Government’s commitment to reduce health and safety bureaucracy, and supports the recommendations made in Common Sense, Common Safety. Regarding the sun-setting of the Adventurous Activity Licensing Authority, to be replaced by a proposed industry-led, voluntary code of practice, CLOtC is talking to Health and Safety Executive and wider Government to ensure that this is recognised as an opportunity to decrease bureaucracy whilst at the same time assuring safety and educational quality for young people across ALL LOtC sectors. Rather than addressing this issue on a piecemeal basis, sector by sector, CLOtC has proposed that the Government make use of the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge. The LOtC Quality Badge is a non-statutory, industry led assurance scheme which is already in existence, and covers all 10 LOtC sectors used by schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Camping is Great
A recent article in Outdoori magazine:
From classroom to campsite
Over 60 research studies reviewed by leading academics at Liverpool John Moores University and an online survey showed that 87% of children who camp say camping in the countryside makes them feel really happy. Interestingly, 73% of adults say camping is something every child should experience and 59% of campers say it should be on the national curriculum whilst 84% say it‟s good for a child‟s health.
Meanwhile, 79% of kids who have never camped said they would like to get ‘under canvas’.
The findings form part of The Camping and Caravanning Club‟s „Real Richness – The List‟ which includes statistics and stories of those who camp and how camping has in many ways transformed their lives. Director General Robert Louden said, “Our findings certainly show that camping makes families feel closer – and richer – and at the same time there is a lot of evidence to show that not only can camping improve a child‟s behaviour but it can also make them more attentive and interested in the world around them.”
The findings outlined in the Real Richness report are based on a review of research into the psychological and social benefits of camping undertaken by leading academics in the field of Outdoor Education & Therapy at Liverpool John Moores University and an online survey to 1,000 adults and 500 children aged seven to 11 who camp and a 1,000 adults and 500 children aged seven to 11 who have never camped. Throughout the report, it refers to „campers‟ but this is a generic term for anyone who regularly camps in a tent, caravan, motorhome or trailer tent.
„Real Richness – The List‟ is available to download at www.realrichness.co.uk.
High Ropes Instructor Courses
Last week we hosted a high ropes course for the European Ropes Course Association at Blackland Farm. The course was run by Ropeworks of North Wales, and led to the Instructor and Rescuer qualification – for more information please see www.erca.cc
