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Here at RAW HQ, we’re pretty invested in giving people the skills they need to go out and enjoy the natural environment. We’re never happier than when we’re guiding people through Eryri (Snowdonia) landscapes and helping people complete epic mountain challenges. But we absolutely LOVE equipping outdoor enthusiasts with knowledge that will stay with them forever. Especially if they then pass on that insight and experience and inspire the next generation of hill walkers and mountain climbers.

Which is why we wanted to spend a bit of time discussing RAW skills courses. Designed for absolutely anyone who wants to improve their outdoor skills, these courses are particularly well-suited to education professionals and youth workers looking to help deliver outdoor excursions.

Why level up your outdoor skills?

There are many reasons someone may want to level up their outdoor skills on a RAW course. Here are three:

1. You want to step up to bigger or more intimidating environments – eg. going from the hills to the mountains.
2. You want to develop the skills required to head out in winter conditions.
3. You want to have loads of fun learning new things in a beautiful place.

For teachers, educators and youth workers, there is often a slightly different appeal. Rather than developing these skills purely for personal gain, you may be working on them so you can help others in the hills and mountains.

Where can these skills be applied?

One clear application of these skills is the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Schools up and down the UK facilitate participation in the award scheme, and hundreds of thousands of students work on their DofE certificate every year. A significant percentage will do so by heading out on excursions into the hills to experience walking, orienteering and camping in rural environments. In many instances, teachers help deliver these programmes and play an active role in guiding students and keeping them safe.

However, DofE programmes are not the only place these skills come in handy. Youth workers and educators outside of the traditional school system may also run programmes that would benefit from an improved practical understanding of navigating, staying safe and enjoying your time in the great outdoors. These programmes include everything from schemes that aim to improve access to nature for disadvantaged city kids to youth groups that want to run camping trips.

How RAW supports skill development

At RAW, we prioritize a supportive learning environment, as we believe it gives people the best chance of thriving and retaining the skills and knowledge we impart. There’s no ‘boot camp’ aspect and no ‘suck it up’ attitude. It’s about having fun and learning as we go. We work hard to foster a safe and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and able to learn.

All our courses are delivered by qualified leaders who communicate information clearly and have extensive experience teaching these skills. Their job is to equip you with the required skills while giving you the confidence to operate independently in your chosen environment, be that hills, mountains or winter conditions.

Available skills courses

We offer a range of skills courses that cover a wide range of disciplines and ability levels. Broadly speaking, our courses are divided into two categories – skills courses and leadership qualifications.

RAW skills courses

Our skills courses are aimed at those relatively new to a particular environment or type of activity. They are designed to build your confidence and enable you to enjoy the time you spend in the natural environment safely and comfortably. Many people use them as a stepping stone to one of our leadership courses. However, many others get all they need from these courses and go no further.

Our skills courses include:

• • Hill Skills – a two-day course designed to build experience and confidence hiking in the hills. Skills covered include planning, navigation, equipment selection, weather forecasting, emergency procedures and hazard perception.
• • Mountain Skills – a two-day course that takes you higher into the mountains and introduces you to more challenging terrain. It builds on many of the foundations laid out in the Hills skills course and adds in a few extra, such as basic scrambling.
• • Rock Skills – a range of skills courses that help you learn or improve rock climbing skills. Tailored to meet your ability level, they are a great way to get into the sport or build on existing skills and knowledge.
• • Winter Mountain Skills – a series of three courses that help you develop and refine the skills you need to move safely and efficiently in winter conditions.

Leadership qualifications courses

RAW Adventures is also an approved provider of Mountain Training qualifications. Mountain Training is the UK awarding body network for qualifications and skills courses in hill walking, climbing and mountaineering. It is responsible for managing the qualifications you most likely need to build a career in the outdoor sector.

As an approved provider, RAW delivers several qualifications, including:

• • Camping leader
• • Lowland Leader
• • Hill & Moorland Leader
• • Mountain Leader

You can find more information on these courses on our Mountain Training Qualifications page. We have also written a comprehensive blog post on becoming an outdoor professional that looks at the Mountain Training pathway in greater detail. If you’re interested in learning more about what the qualifications involve and where they may take you, it is an excellent place to start.

Skills training with RAW Adventures

Whether you opt for one of our introductory courses or a full Mountain Training qualification largely depends on where you’re currently at, and what you hope to achieve. While our qualifications are more focused on preparing you to lead a group and teach others, our skills courses aim to equip you with the knowledge you need to enjoy outdoor adventures.

If you are unsure which course is best for you, we highly recommend getting in touch. Our team can talk you through the various courses and qualifications, and recommend the most suitable course of action. Whichever course you choose, you’re going to have a whale of a time and learn a tonne, so jump on in and start levelling up your outdoor skills.

Learn more about RAW skills courses »
Learn more about RAW qualifications courses »