This page sets out dates for upcoming activity training. More details about the various activities can be found on pages dedicated to the activity. See menu (left).
Hillwalking training & assessment weekends and courses 2025
For more details on the below workshops and weekends and how to book please see the Mountain Team pages.
Workshops
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| Nov/Dec 2025 19:00 | Night Navigation | Hambledon | Those that can navigate with map and compass but want to improve their low visibility navigation. |
| Nov/Dec 2025 09:00 | Terrain 2 Ropework | TBC | Those working towards a Terrain 2 permit. Or Terrain 2 permit holders wishing to refresh their skills. |
Weekends
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 12-13th Jul 2025 | Skills development (CPD) | Lake District | More experienced hillwalkers |
| 27-28th Sep 2025 | Terrain 1 training & assessment | Mid-Wales (Aran Mountains) | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
| 17-18th Jan 2026 | Terrain 1 and 2 training & assessment | Clogwyn Centre, Snowdonia | All interested in leading Hillwalking |
For more information and how to apply please visit the Mountain Team page where details will be announced as soon as they are available.
Climbing training & assessment 2025
All courses at Earleywood Campsite (19.00–22.00).
| Date | Course |
| Monday 14 April | Climbing & Crate Stack Assessment High Ropes Assessment |
| Monday 12 May | Learn the basics (learn to climb) |
| Thursday 5 June | Climbing High Ropes Training |
| Monday 8 September | Climbing & Crate Stack Assessment High Ropes Training |
| Monday 6 October | Climbing Training High Ropes Training |
For more information see: Climbing Team page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section. For the sessions at Earleywood please make clear whether you want climbing or abseiling.
Off Road Cycling 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 21 June | Off-Road Cycling Training & Assessment | Swinley Forest | Anyone seeking a permit to lead Off-Road Cycling and having relevant experience |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Archery & Shooting training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| TBA | Archery permit course (Training & assessment) | Anyone seeking a permit to run archery | |
| 22–23 Feb | Air rifle training & assessment (NSRA YPS Course) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking the qualification for running an air rifle range (must be over 18) |
| 26–27 July | Air rifle training & assessment (NSRA YPS Course) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking the qualification for running an air rifle range (must be over 18) |
| 13–14 Sept | Air rifle training & assessment (NSRA YPS Course) | 1st Twyford | Anyone seeking the qualification for running an air rifle range (must be over 18) |
For further information see: Shooting Team page. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Canoeing & Kayaking 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open To |
| 23 March (+ online session on evening of 12 March) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | 1st Reading Boathouse | Anyone who wants to be assessed to run canoeing &/or kayaking & needs a practical assessment |
| 14 June (+ online session on evening of 4 June) | Canoeing & Kayaking Assessment Day | Waterside Youth & Community Centre Newbury | “ |
| 12 October | Moving Water skills Session | Newbury | Experienced paddlers on B1 waters seeking to expand their skills |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
SUP (Stand-up Paddle Board) training & Assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 26 & 27 April | 2 day Training & Assessment Course for a SUP permit | 1st Maidenhead | Experienced SUPers seeking a permit to run SUP sessions |
| TBA | SUP taster session | TBA | All paddlers new to SUPs who are interested in being able to run SUP sessions |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Bell Boating – training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 18th May | Bell Boating Assessment Course | Maidenhead | Anyone seeking a permit to run bellboating. |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Rafting – training & assessment 2025
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 12 April | Traditional Raft building & permit Course | Maidenhead | Anyone seeking a permit to run rafting |
| 12 April | Traditional Rafting Refresher Course for Permit holders | Maidenhead | Rafting permit holders |
For further information: Contact Activities Team. To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
Pulling (fixed seat rowing) training & assessment 2024
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 17-18 May | Training & Assessment Course | TBA | Anyone seeking a permit |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the activities section.
DofE Expedition Assessor training
Unless you are accredited by the DofE Award scheme you are no longer able to assess a DofE Award expedition at any level. To become accredited you need to have completed an approved training course and been registered.
For further information see: DofE Award page.
First Aid training for adventurous activities 2025
An accredited trainer delivers the Outdoor Pursuits 16-hour First Aid training course for us at well below the usual commercial rates.
As well as meeting The Scout Association requirements for a higher level first aid than First Response for adventurous activities in remote areas, the qualification is accepted by the the national governing bodies for hillwalking and climbing, paddle-sports, and sailing as meeting their mandatory requirements for leader & coaching qualifications. As the qualification is substantially higher than the Scout Assn’s ‘First Response’, there is no need to do the latter as well. However, like virtually all first aid qualifications, it is only valid for 3 years and renewal is by doing the whole course again.
| Date | Description | Venue | Open to |
| 11-12 Jan | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | Earleywood | Permit holders and anyone else seeking a higher level of first aid than First Response |
| 8-9 March | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | Earleywood | “ |
| TBC | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | 1st Wash Common Scout HQ | “ |
| 13-14 Dec | 2 day Outdoor First Aid | Wokingham Waterside Centre | “ |
To apply go to the training courses section of the County website (you will be asked to log on – see * below if you cannot log on or are under 18) and you will find our courses in the first aid section.
*If you cannot log onto the County website
You will only be able to log in to our County website if you have an adult role in Scouting in Berkshire on Compass. So if you are from outside Berkshire Scouting or are under 18, you will need to contact our County Administrator. If you cannot log in even though have a current adult role in Berkshire Scouting, please follow the lost password etc. procedure on our log in page. If that doesn’t work, contact our IT Helpdesk.