Bush Instructor Training October 24, 2022

Bush Instructor Training Overview

Our Bush Instructor Training is specifically designed for people who are wanting to lead people in the bush environment. If you are working towards NZOIA Bush level 1, or are wanting to become trip leaders for clubs and social groups this will be the course for you.

This is a 7 day “train the trainer” style course designed to look at key aspects that are important when leading others in this dynamic environment. There is a level of technical competency you will need to meet in regards to your personal skills in order to be able to attend this course, this is outlined in our pre-requisites below.

N.B: The 7-day instructor training is dedicated to the aspiring Level 1 instructor, the 9- day instructor training is dedicated to the aspiring Level 2/Senior instructor

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, you must be competent walking in varied terrain, navigating confidently with a map and compass on and off track, and have completed a comprehensive river crossing course.

If you do not meet the requirements in your personal skills we have aligned this course to our Bush Training Courses, where you can combine the 7-day Bushcraft Course and this 7-day instructor training.

We strongly recommend you combine our personal skills course with the Instructor Training to observe how our bushcraft instructors deliver and scaffold learning to a group as well as ensure your personal skills are at industry standard. 

Level 1 Bush Instructor Recommended Training Pathway

The OENZ 7-day bushcraft course + 7-day instructor training for leading groups in easy to moderate bush terrain on and off track.

We also encourage keeping a personal logbook starting with 20 days of personal experience in the bush with a minimum of 5 x multiday trips plus working towards additional time observing others and assisting in teaching bush skills. 

Recommended additional training for leading and teaching others in bush terrain

• OENZ Facilitation and Leadership Course(this is an optional separate 5-day course)
• OENZ Weather Course

See our Senior instructor training for more details on the  Level 2 Bush Instructor

Instructor Training Location

This course will be held between Christchurch, the Craigieburn’s, and local Canterbury foothills.

Instructor Training Accommodation

**All your accommodation is included in this Bush instructor training**

Craigieburn Forest Camp Out (day 1)

The first night of our course includes a camp out in Craigieburn Forest Park.  We use this time to cover basic bushcraft and camping skills in relation to groups.

Living Springs Cabins

At the end of Day 2, we return to

Christchurch to our local accommodation at Living Springs where you will stay for the remainder of the course.

Living Springs is a 25-minute drive from Christchurch that sits above Lyttelton Harbour.

Gear & Equipment

Just bring along your normal tramping/hiking kit, a compass, and some food. We will send you a detailed gear list once your booking has been processed.

If you’re not sure you have everything you need for the course, no need to stress, we have all the gear and equipment available for you to hire. Just add a note to your booking or give us a call to organize your gear rental in advance.

We will also supply all of the group and client equipment needed for the model client days.

Food

Food is not provided on this course. We recommend packing plenty of snacks and lunch that do not require cooking. The accommodation has a full kitchen & fridge that you are welcome to use. Alternatively, the local pub & café in Governors Bay serves meals and refreshments.

Free Transport

We collect you from your accommodation on day 1 and then provide daily transport to and from the bush and accommodation for the rest of the week.

Traveling From out of town?

We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course. We have a few hotel & hostel suggestions on our FAQ page. Please avoid booking accommodation north or east of the city center.  At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport.  The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm.

What’s Included in this

Bush Instructor Training ?

L1 Bush Instructor

Weather Forecast

• Applying weather forecasting to decision making.

Survival skills

• Building a natural survival shelter
• Field weather observations and predictions
• Fire lighting
• Knife safety

Camping skills

• Selecting a suitable campsite for a group
• Pitching tents
• Fire lighting
• Managing and setting up tarps/group shelters

Understanding and demonstrating teaching skills and group management in the following:

• Contour features
• Topographical maps
• Compass techniques
• Clothing & equipment choices and management
• Using and understanding limitations of emergency communication devices.
• Flora & Fauna
• Moving on and off-track with a group

Facilitating River Crossing With Groups

• Hazards
• River characteristics
• River crossing principles
• Decision Making
• River crossing methods
• Recovery

Leadership/Instructional skills:

• Plan and prepare 2 x single-day educational and safe bush experiences for model clients
• Lead and manage a group for 2 non-consecutive days in the bush environment
• Apply effective safety management applicable to group, terrain, and environmental conditions.

How many people will be on my instructor training?

We believe that small groups are better for this type of training. So we have a maximum client to instructor ratio of just six clients to one instructor. If there are eight clients you will have one guide and one assistant guide, twelve clients means there will be two guides and you’ll operate in two smaller groups.

Does this bush instructor training have minimum numbers?

Yes, the minimum number for the course to proceed at the advertised price is three clients. We won’t cancel your course if we don’t meet the minimum numbers though, instead, we will offer you the following options:

a.) A shorter private course with 1-1 tuition – e.g. with one person we can cover the course content much faster, so far fewer days are needed.

b.) You will be offered to continue with the course as planned and cover the extra cost.

c.) We can transfer you to another date when the course is running again.

Note: In the unlikely event that the course length is shortened due to insufficient numbers. We will provide accommodation for you for the full duration of your original booking. ie. any extra time following the course being shortened.

Course downloads

 

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