To get started on the Camping Leader qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites:

• You must be at least 17 years old
• You must have some supervisory experience of overnight camping
• You must have a genuine interest in the supervision of groups

If the above applies to you, here's what to do next:

• Create an account on our Candidate Management System or log in if you already have one.
• Register for the Camping Leader scheme (this costs £25)

Camping Leader candidate handbook

This qualification replaced the Expedition Skills Module in 2022.

Leader stories

James Done

Do you have additional needs?

Do you have a physical or mental impairment or disability which may require a provider to make reasonable adjustments so that you can take part in a Camping Leader course? Find out more.

Not quite right?

If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following:

• Mountain Leader (this includes overnight expeditions)

You could also read through our 'Which scheme is right for me?' page.

There is no formal face to face training component in this scheme. Instead, Mountain Training has developed an optional online training resource to help candidates familiarise themselves with the Camping Leader syllabus and associated competencies prior to attending assessment. A link to access the training (hosted on teachable.com) will be sent when you register on the scheme.

The online training course covers all elements of the syllabus using a variety of formats such as presentations, videos and quizzes to aid learning. The course will take approximately 4 hours to complete if you engage with the content in all sections. You may revisit the online training course as often as you wish in advance of your assessment course.

The online training also provides you with an outline of how your assessment course will be delivered and ideas for how you might consolidate your learning.

Use the Camping Leader skills checklist

This document can be used during or shortly after your training course to help you identify areas of the syllabus that may require attention.

The Syllabus

Camping Leaders should be competent in the following key areas, all of which is covered in the online training course.

• Leadership and group management
• Planning and supervision
• Teaching and learning skills
• Camping equipment
• Camping food and cooking

Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Camping Leader handbook and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment.

The Mountain Training Association

Join the Mountain Training Association and be part of a community of like-minded people on our schemes. The Association offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders and coaches across the disciplines, as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. You can join the Association at any point after you have registered on one of Mountain Training's leadership/coaching schemes.



Join now

The Book - Hill Walking

Hill Walking has been written specifically for people pursuing Mountain Training's leadership qualifications and it includes essential tips and information for those who wish to lead in the hills as well as being a useful learning aid for recreational walkers. The book is split into three parts: Getting Around in the Hills, The Upland Environment and Group Management. Its functional design with easy-reference pages, striking illustrations and images make this book an indispensable guide to the skills required for summer hill walking.



Buy now

Before you book onto a Camping Leader assessment course, make sure you have done the following:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must have personally undertaken and logged an absolute minimum of five overnight camps, ideally in a variety of contexts.
• You must have assisted with or overseen at least two group camps. If personal camping has only been undertaken when also supervising a group, then these two group camps can be part of the total submitted for personal camping i.e. some candidates may need to log only five overnight camps in total. Reflective comments must accompany the group supervision evidence.
• You must be familiar with the syllabus.
• You must be an experienced self-sufficient camper.
• You must have experience of the supervision of camping groups.
• You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least one full day or eight hours of instruction and included an element of assessment

The Camping Leader assessment takes place over the course of a day or a number of sessions building up to a minimum eight hours contact time.

Assessments are run by one of our approved providers and a variety of cost packages are available depending on what's included so you can choose one that's right for you.