Outdoor Adventure Education

Course details

The Course, which was established, is now recognised as the primary training opportunity for people interested in outdoor and adventure education. The intensive course is based in the college campus in Kinsale, utilising the extensive resources and equipment available ashore and afloat. Former students who have successfully completed the course are now employed in sailing schools, activity centres and other Outdoor Centres in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Mediterranean. Apart from practical training, the course emphasises the educational possibilities of the outdoors through experiential education and field studies.

Entry requirements:

Leaving Cert or equivalent. Mature students welcome. RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for FAS trained students.

MODULES INFO & CODES:

• Safety Boat Handling
• Dinghy Sailing
• Outdoor Recreation
• Powerboat Skills
• Windsurfing
• Kayaking
• Outdoor Leadership & Safety
• Rock-climbing
• Hillwalking
• Communications
• Work Experience

HOW TO APPLY/APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Applications for all our courses will be available on the website and in the college from 1st week in January 2015 for all courses commencing in September 2015. Interviews will be held for all courses later in the year generally in May/June. To apply, simply download an application form and forward to the College.

Career Opportunities

Course Director Jeff Cochrane is regularly contacted by people in the industry who are interested in employing Kinsale College’s Outdoor Adventure Education graduates.

Further Studies Opportunities

Students who successfully complete the Level 5 Award in Outdoor Recreation will be eligible to apply for the Level 6 Award.

student Experiences

“The two-year instructor training course gave me the best possible stepping stone for a career in the outdoor industry. The challenges and experiences over the two years, from intensive training to exams; from kayaking white water rivers to climbing sea cliffs; from excellent friendships to training under some of Ireland’s best outdoor instructors, was phenomenal. Completing the course in 2001, I worked for several outdoor education centres throughout Ireland, developing the qualifications and experience I had been given from Kinsale. The qualifications and experience took me to work in Scotland, where I also worked as a white water raft guide and ski leader. Returning to Ireland, I was lucky enough to work with Ireland’s National Outdoor Training Centre for a short time, before setting up my own business in 2006. My business–Outdoors Ireland–specializes in guided tours, training courses and team building. Now with two operation bases (Killarney and Galway), a small team of instructors and a fleet of trailers and equipment; the key to our work and success comes from the experience and training I received all those years ago in Kinsale. The fun, training, experience and knowledge I received from the instructor course is a resource I still use on a weekly, if not daily, basis. In fact generally when I am recruiting for staff I firstly look to instructors who are qualifying from Kinsale. Whether as a life experience or a career choice I cannot recommend this course highly enough and I often remember it as I stand on Ireland’s highest mountains; pause partway up a sandstone cliff, or watch the sunset from a sea kayak.” Nathan Kingerlee, OE Graduate.

Other Info

The course in the first year aims to develop personal competency in a range of outdoor activities:

• Outdoor Adventure Activities: Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Hillwalking, Field Studies and Power Boating.
• Management of Outdoor Education Activities: Outdoor Leadership, Philosophy of Outdoor Education, Equipment Maintenance and First Aid & Emergency Care.
• Marine Skills: Seamanship, Navigation, Safety and Boat Handling.
• Work Experience: Students are required to undertake work experience during the month of May. This opens up the possibility of summer work in other Centres.