Message 1

Training & Education Information

The Training & Education section of the website has been developed so that members can access the latest information on training and can also access training materials either for reference purposes or to complete a ‘Self Study’ course. Thanks to Joe Murray, as always, for doing the development work on the website.

What will you see on the website?

When you log onto the website as a member, the main menu contains a ‘training & education’ tab

Clicking on the ‘training & education’ tab opens the ‘training info’ tab with three training options

Training Info

This page contains the latest information on Training and Education within the Club. The information is entered by the Training Officer on an ongoing basis. Here you will find information on the types of training available to members, the courses that are currently available, information about each course and how to go about applying to attend the course.

Courses Available

This page contains a list of Courses that are currently available within the Club. It includes internal courses where club members are the trainers, external courses where external trainers are used and self-study courses where all the materials are available on the website for members to study themselves.

Clicking on any of the courses brings you to the course content or further information on the course.

Courses Done

This page contains the full list of members and the courses they have started and completed; the Training Officer will input this information.

We suggest you check out the ‘courses available’ page and have a look at the material that is currently available. If you are interested in attending any of the courses or would like further information, please contact the Training Officer, Alan Kane at alanfkane@gmail.com or on 0851083829.

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Message 2

Training Available to Members 

We are currently focused on three types of training

• Map Reading & Navigation
• Leadership Training
• First Aid Training

Map Reading & Navigation

Our focus here is to be able to offer a number of different options so that there is something to suit all members regardless of their current knowledge/experience or the amount of time they have available

Option 1: Self-Study

This consists of five modules and covers pretty much all aspects of Map Reading & Navigation that you are likely to need. Each of the modules are covered in considerable detail. This option will suit members who have time available and are keen to become competent and self-reliant in terms of navigation on the hills. All the information is here, if you enjoy the self-study approach and you have time available then this is for you.

This material can also be used for reference purposes or by a member who wishes to refresh on a particular topic eg Route Card preparation or using Outdoor Active to create a route. In this case the member doesn’t need to complete the self-study course just consult the module they are interested in.

Option 2: External Courses

There are two courses available Mountain Skills 1 (MS1) and Mountain Skills 2 (MS2). These courses are two-day courses and are run throughout the year on weekends. The course syllabus is set by Mountaineering Ireland and is delivered by trainers who are accredited by Mountaineering Ireland. Full information on the two courses and a calendar of when the courses are scheduled together with the trainers details are available on the Mountaineering Ireland website. The cost of attending either MS1 or MS2 is €140 or €150 for the two-day course, Trekkers will subsidise members wishing to do the course at 50%.

This option will suit members who are working or do not have time for the self-study approach, it is very attractive to be able to get a course done on a single weekend. Important to mention that completing the course is just the start of the learning. Becoming competent requires commitment and lots of practice.

Option 3: Internal Courses

Map Reading & Navigation: This is a two-day course consisting of classroom sessions and practical sessions outdoors putting the techniques into practice. The two days are a week apart eg consecutive Mondays or consecutive Sundays, this allows members prepare a simple route card as homework between the two days. The course is suitable for those who are completely new to the topic or as a refresher for those who completed a similar course in the past and need to refresh their skills. The course will be delivered by experienced members of the club. 

Leadership Training

This is an internal one-day course run by Mary Murphy, John Casey and Farannán Tannam. It covers what is involved in leading walks in the club and what to do when presented with challenging situations. It does not cover Map Reading & Navigation. The course is a mixture of classroom and practical sessions out on the hills. It is primarily targeted at members who have not led walks or who are very new to leading walks.

First Aid Training

This course is currently delivered by an external trainer who specialises in delivering courses to outdoor clubs such as our own, her focus is on dealing with the type of scenarios that one can encounter out on the hills. It consists of two half day sessions. The theory session is delivered using zoom from 18.00 to 21.00 and the practical session is delivered a few days later in a local hall. The cost of the trainer is subsidised 50% by the club resulting in members paying €25 to attend the course.

First Aid Refresher

We introduced the idea of an in-house refresher course in August run by Anne Hayes and Alan Kane. It is a half day session run in a local hall from 14.00 to 17.00. The refresher course is targeted at those who completed the full course with the external trainer and focuses on being familiar with the different components in the First Aid Kit and how and when to use them.

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Message 3

Training Course Dates for 2024

Map Reading & Navigation - 2 day course

Course 1 will be held on Tuesdays 2nd and 9th July 2024

Course 2 will be held on Sundays 1st and 8th September 2024

Leadership Training - 1 day course

Course 1 will be held on Saturday 18th May 2024

Course 2 will be held on Wednesday 14th August 2024

First Aid Training - 2 half day course

Course dates have not been agreed as yet.

If you wish to attend any of the above courses please contact the Training Officer, Alan Kane, on alanfkane@gmail.com or on 0851083829

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