Careers in Outdoor Recreation
- Outdoor Recreation Instructor
- Outdoor Recreation Guide or Leader
Outdoor Recreation Instructor
An outdoor recreation activity instructor instructs and guides individuals and groups in outdoor adventure activities such as bicycle touring, bushwalking, canoeing, caving, cross country skiing, horse trekking, rafting, rock climbing and sailing. Instructors develop the skills of participants so that they can act independently or with minimal supervision following the program, and may be required to conduct assessments.
An outdoor recreation activity instructor may perform the following tasks:
- prepare for individual and group participation in outdoor recreation experiences
- demonstrate and teach basic body movements and skills used
- supervise outdoor activity skill practice sessions
- assist in the supervision and control of individuals and groups involved in outdoor recreation journeys
- demonstrate the use of equipment required for participation
- provide advice on safety measures and risk minimisation strategies for outdoor adventure activities
- respond to emergencies during outdoor recreation activities by providing first aid assistance and organising means of evacuation
- provide advice on such matters as equipment selection and appropriateness of particular destinations or activities
- plan and prepare the activities for both individual and group participation
- demonstrate the relevant body movements and skills required
- supervise and maintain control of the individuals and groups involved
- demonstrate the use of and maintain equipment required for the activities
- provide advice on safety measures and risk avoidance strategies
- respond to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and take appropriate further action if required
- develop skills development programs
- develop training programs
- critique technique, apply a variety of appropriate instructional strategies and assess participant’s skill acquisition at the end of a program or session.
Outdoor Recreation Guide or Leader
An outdoor recreation guide or leader instructs and guides individuals and groups in outdoor recreation activities such as bicycle touring, bushwalking, canoeing, caving, cross country skiing, horse trekking, rafting, rock climbing and sailing. They lead or guide clients so that they can take part in a particular outdoor recreation activity, but there is no intention of imparting skills or knowledge to clients beyond that which is necessary to enable their safe participation in the activity.
They supervise small groups of people on outdoor expeditions and may work with special populations, young people or corporate groups. Work is often based on adventure tourism or eco tourism, in holiday camps, or in outdoor recreation activities such as abseiling or canoeing.
While specific duties and tasks may vary according to the specialisation, an outdoor recreation guide may perform the following tasks:
- prepare for individual and group participation in outdoor adventure experiences
- demonstrate and teach basic body movements and skills used
- supervise basic outdoor activity skill practice sessions
- assist in the supervision and control of individuals and groups involved in basic outdoor adventure journeys
- demonstrate the use of equipment required for participation
- provide advice on safety measures and risk minimisation strategies for outdoor adventure activities
- respond to emergencies during adventure activities by providing first aid assistance and organising means of evacuation
- provide advice on such matters as equipment selection and appropriateness of particular destinations or activities
- plan and prepare the activities for both individual and group participation
- demonstrate the relevant body movements and skills required
- supervise and maintain control of the individuals and groups involved
- demonstrate the use of and maintain equipment required for the activities
- provide advice on safety measures and risk avoidance strategies
- respond to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and take appropriate further action if required
- provide advice on such matters as equipment selection and appropriateness of particular destinations or activities
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What training is available?
Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation provides the learner with the opportunity to acquire skills to independently participate in several outdoor recreation activities and to guide or instruct those activities or to complement activity skills with a specialisation chosen from several non-activity areas.
The Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation provides the learner with the opportunity to acquire skills to independently participate in outdoor recreation activities and to guide or instruct those activities.
Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation provides the learner with the opportunity to enhance skills to independently participate in outdoor recreation activities and to guide or instruct those activities. Alternatively, this qualification enables the learner to enhance their skills in non-activity areas.
Diploma of Outdoor Recreation: Likely functions within the Outdoor Recreation Industry for those who have this level of competency include those working as Operations Managers and Program Managers and/or those working in challenging locations and/or in situations (such as with difficult or challenging client groups).
To work as an outdoor recreation guide, a first aid certificate is essential. You may also need your Bronze Medallion before guiding certain outdoor adventure tours. The ability to handle a 4WD and have a bus driver's licence is useful.
As safety is very important in this industry, training and formal qualifications in safety related areas are becoming vital for securing employment.
More information
The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) is an incorporated, not-for-profit association of outdoor industry professionals in Australia. http://www.outdoorcouncil.asn.au/
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