Bush Instructor Qualifications

Level 5 Bush Instructor

Scope of Leadership

• This qualification will provide the outdoor recreation sector with individuals who are able to operate independently and provide instruction and leadership for participants during specific outdoor activity. The emphasis of this qualification is on developing participants’ competence through safe, sequenced, learning experiences in dynamic outdoor environments.
• Graduates of this qualification are able to work independently and contribute to the daily operation of, and work under, a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Graduates of the Bush strand will also be able to instruct participants in the skills required for a positive bush walking experience through effective planning, delivery and evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge of personal safety in bush tramping
2. Use appropriate equipment and systems in bush tramping
3. Select and use appropriate emergency equipment when responding to an emergency in bush tramping 
4. Demonstrate environmental responsibility and kaitiakitanga including respect for tikanga and Kawa of local iwi and hapū in bush environments
5. Apply an organisation’s safety management system while leading bush activities
6. Instruct participants in the skills required for safe educational bush experiences
7. Manage a group to safely experience bush activities
8. Evaluate bush leadership and review the planned program

Topics Include

• Navigation skills including off-track
• River crossing safety
• Selecting and setting up a campsite
• Managing camp for cooking
• Environmental sustainability and guardianship
• Responding to an emergency
• Selecting and managing personal equipment
• Communication equipment and systems for emergency
• Outdoor safety code
• Pre activity tasks and checks
• Procedures and management techniques for preparing to lead bush activities
• Preparing and checking equipment and a location
• Instructing participants to use bush equipment
• Safety roles for instructors and participants
• Instructing participants to safely use bush equipment
• Facilitation, communication and teaching techniques
• Monitoring and managing needs of participants and participant behaviour
• Cultural awareness
• Minimum impact principles for bush activities

Qualification Delivery

Self-directed online learning

Teacher-directed online learning

Teacher-directed in-person training

Assessment Tasks

Prepare a plan to lead a group.

Demonstrate leadership skills

Demonstrate personal skills

Review and evaluate leadership

Prerequisites

The following outlines hours and experience that must be completed for the qualification to be awarded. We recommend participants start with all of these conditions met. You will need to provide a plan that clearly shows how you will demonstrate these conditions before the final date of the qualification.

at least 40 days tramping experience (each day should be at least six hours duration), which must include at least 20 days experience on multi-day trips and at least 10 days experience instructing, leading or guiding groups. At least 20 of the 40 days experience should be personal days. Instructing experience may include being a co-instructor or assistant instructor. Overnight trips should include both staying in huts and camping.

Terrain must meet the following parameters:

− easy and moderate bush terrain;

− trips can extend above the bush line in easy and moderate terrain and in summer conditions (without snow and no snow forecast). Patches of old snow may exist and can be crossed where no sliding potential exists.