Outdoor Adventure Instructor Training Level 3 Extended Certificate

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Are you looking for an exciting and practical course as part of your studies? Do you enjoy the outdoors, adventurous activities, and aspire to become an outdoor instructor or broaden your skillset? If so, the Outdoor Adventure course is perfect for you. You’ll explore the principles of outdoor adventure, understand careers in the sector, and learn about the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. You’ll also develop and test your skills in both land and water-based activities. This course, equivalent to one A-level, provides matching UCAS points and opens up new horizons.

What will I study in Outdoor Adventure Instructor Training Level 3 Extended Certificate?

You will study the following NCFE units

Year 1

Leading Water-based Adventurous Activities

Principles and Practices in outdoor Adventure

Alternative Pursuits for Outdoor adventure.

Year 2

Leading Land-based adventurous Activities

Exercise, Health & Lifestyle

Preparing for a Career in Outdoor Activities

Entry Requirements

5+ GCSEs at Grade 4 and above, from the core subjects, including English Language and Maths.

How will I learn?

You will develop your knowledge and skills through a range of practical lessons and written assignments to demonstrate your increasing knowledge base in the area of outdoor adventure.

With access to local climbing walls and lakes and countryside we can give you a broad range of skills in rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and hill walking as well as a number of other activities such as high ropes and mountain biking. Some skills development will take place by travelling to more further afield venues for the day or even multi-day expeditions.

Most written assignments will be submitted via computer to our online grading portal

How will I be assessed?

Your assessment for practical activities will take place at the various appropriate venues usually to peers. This will generally be videoed for short assessments such as safety briefings or demonstrating equipment or with witness statements from staff for longer assessments like running a 45min activity

Written work will be submitted and marked online in all most all cases.

Any trips?

There will generally be 2 trips a year. One short trip for a couple of days and one longer week long trip. each year. This helps us travel further afield to enable to gain knowledge of well known venues in the UK popular for outdoor adventure sports such as the cliffs of the Peak District, the Mountains of the Lake District or coast of Devon and Cornwall. These will be covered in the additional course fees you pay.

Are there any costs involved?

This is a very practical course that will visit a wide range of locations and as a result the course carries a cost of £350 each year. This will cover almost all aspects of the course such as entry for 12 weeks of climbing wall entry and 12 weeks of kayaking venues, kit hire, accommodation, transport, days out to outdoor centres and the week long expedition each year. Thus providing extremely good value.

It will not include the cost of your food on trips or your membership to British Canoeing or Mountain Training.

It will also cover some industry recognised qualifications that would be essential on any Outdoor Instructor CV such as a First Aid at work certificate

Device Requirements

Access to Microsoft (i.e., Word and Powerpoint) would be of benefit. These are accessible on computers around college.

Information about what device may be required for this course, where available, can be found on our Bring Your Own Device guidance page.

FAQs

What type of person would this course suit?

This is for someone who enjoys being outside what ever the weather. Although there is in some classed based work to prepare for the assignments, we are out and about most weeks. This is regardless of the weather. The key is to come dressed for the weather so people who are looking for an outdoor based career like outdoor instructor, overseas expedition leader or working for uniformed services would suit this well.

What activities will you do?

On a regular basis as part of the weekly lessons you will take part in indoor rock climbing, kayaking, SUP, open canoeing and navigation on local walks.In addition, as part of the alternative activities unit and during the expeditions each year students have participated in axe throwing, bridge swing, sea kayaking, orienteering, raft building, bushcraft, high ropes, assault course, abseiling and climbing outdoors ( including learning to lead climb), camping and white water kayaking.

What qualifications will you achieve?

You will achieve an NCFE level 3 qualification upon completion of the course as well as a first aid at work which is a mandatory requirement for most National governing body awards. You will also gain indoor climbing NICAS certificates and British Canoeing proficiency awards such as the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course award.Towards the end of the course, those who have logged enough training hours will have the opportunity to take part in the following national body qualifications

Paddle sport Instructor

Climbing wall Instructor

Lowland Leader

Powerboat level 2

Where do my course fees of £350 per academic year go?

Outdoor adventure course costs as of Sept 2026 Year 1

Use of the local water-sports venue for approximately 8 sessions, £12per session £96

Paddle UK discover award £14pp

Use of the Rockstar climbing wall for approximately 6 sessions. £10per session £60

NICAS award logbooks £10pp

Local 2 day Induction trip kayaking, trekking, camping and climbing £30

Spring week long expedition hiking, rafting and alternative activities £140

Charge per student £350

Year 2

Use of the local watersports venue for approximately 7 sessions, £12per session £84

Use of the Rockstar climbing wall for approximately 3 sessions. £10per session £30

Use of 270 Climbing 3 sessions £15pp £45

White water kayaking on the Nene £30

Open canoe trip on the River Wye £100

1 day first aid at work certificate £31pp

Paddle sport safety and rescue award £30

Charge per student £350

Additional trips like the Scotland winter mountain trip, skiing in Italy, D of E expedition, or Lead climbing in the Peak District would be an additional cost with some dependence on level of ability. E.g. you would need to be comfortable lead climbing indoors first to be selected to lead climb outdoors.

Do i need to buy a lot of outdoor equipment?

The college can supply you with all the necessary safety equipment and items for camping.It is recommended that you buy clothing suitable for being out in a all weathers. Quick drying, breathable and light weight are things to look for. Buying your own a waterproof jacket and trousers is a good idea if you can afford, it but we do have some you can borrow. We also recomend you get your own 3 season sleeping bag.

You will need to buy your own walking boots for expeditions and days out hiking during the winter as well as neoprene beach shoes for all the water activities.

We have

Climbing ropes, Karabiners, Harnesses, helmets and Shoes

Wetsuits, Buoyancy aids, Paddles, Kayaks, Canoes, SUPs, Helmets and Dry cags

Rucksacks, Tents, Rollmats, Cookers, Cooker fuel and some sleeping bags