NATIONAL LEAVE NO TRACE
TRAINING GUIDELINES
January 2015
In January 2015, Leave No Trace Ireland drafted the Leave No Trace Training Guidelines. The
document outlines the expectations and requirements for Trainer courses under the Leave No Trace
programme. The Guidelines are very much living document, a work in progress. The changes that
were made this year to the Guidelines reflect the opinions and needs of active Advanced Trainers
who expressed their sentiments to Leave No Trace Ireland.
The Educational and Advisory Group (the oversight body for Leave No Trace training efforts,
curriculum development and material production, see Appendix A for members) is interested in
hearing feedback from Advanced Trainers about ways to improve Leave No Trace training. If you
have concerns, questions or suggestions about the Training Guidelines, please contact Leave No
Trace Ireland. We welcome your input for the betterment of the Leave No Trace programme.
INTRODUCTION
The national Leave No Trace training programme has grown to include 35 Leave No Trace Advanced
Trainers and approx 400 of Leave No Trace Trainers. As the number of institutions, organisations and
agencies interested in offering Leave No Trace Ireland training programmes increases, the more
important standardised guidelines for those conducting Advanced Trainer and Trainer courses are.
The goals for these Training Guidelines are:

To strive for consistent, quality training for all Leave No Trace course participants;

To provide an easily implemented training structure that encourages training efforts;

To establish a structure that allows the Leave No Trace Ireland to track and quantify training
efforts;
LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER COURSES
Curriculum Content
Leave No Trace Trainer courses emphasise skills and techniques essential
to Leave No Trace minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. However, Leave No Trace Trainer
courses do not teach basic travel, camping or other outdoor skills, nor do they provide outdoor
instructor certification. Samples of trainer course curriculums are available through Leave No Trace
Ireland. Samples of all course curriculums are also available the trainer and Advanced Trainer course
teaching manuals.
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1. Core Components for Trainer Course Curriculum

A minimum of 16 total hours of experiential instruction, 10 hours of which must be conducted
in the field. One night camping is strongly recommended.

The role and function of a Leave No Trace Trainer.

The principles and ethics of Leave No Trace.

Teaching skills and techniques and student learning styles.

At least one student led teaching exercise by each participant.

Overview of the national Leave No Trace Ireland programme

The role and function of Leave No Trace Ireland Education and Advisory Group
2. Trainer Course: Leaders
The course leader for a Trainer course must be an Advanced Trainer of Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace Trainer course leaders should have training and experience in outdoor
leadership/instruction skills and maintain appropriate levels of certification. At a minimum, the
course leader should maintain current certification in Rec 2 First Aid.

A declaration form will need to be signed to ensure trainers declare responsibility for
-
Insurance
-
Current Rec 2First Aid qualification
-
Outdoor Leadership skills i.e. Qualified to lead whatever activity you are engaged in during
the training course i.e. Hillwalking, kayaking etc… Trainers are requested to stay within
the best practice guidelines and rations of the respective National Governing Bodies.
A copy of the declaration form is available on the Leave No Trace Ireland Trainer Resources section
on http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/trainer-resources
Trainer Course: Co-trainers
A co-trainer for a Leave No Trace Trainer course can be an Advanced or Trainer of Leave No Trace.
Co-instructors should have training and experience in outdoor leadership/instruction skills and
appropriate levels of first aid certification.

A declaration form will need to be signed and submitted to info@leavenotraceireland.org to
ensure trainers declare responsibility for
-
Insurance
-
Current Rec 2First Aid qualification
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-
Outdoor Leadership skills i.e. qualified to lead whatever activity you are engaged in during
the training course i.e. Hillwalking, kayaking etc… Trainers are requested to stay within
the best practice guidelines and rations of the respective National Governing Bodies.
A copy of the declaration form is available on the Leave No Trace Ireland Trainer Resources section
on http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/trainer-resources
3. Trainer Course: Rates of Pay
Two day Trainers Course including an overnight camp delivered by an Advanced Trainer
Instruction:
€150 per day Lead Instructor
€150 per day for Assistant instructor
Option to Shadow (Unpaid)
*Lead instructor will get paid for 3 days work to coordinate all pre course
communications and operations, including additional overnight camp.
*Assistant instructor may be a trainer with experience of
Delivering Leave No Trace awareness sessions
Please contact info@leavenotraceireland.org for recommended pricing lists for external courses.
6. Ratio for participants on a trainer course:
1. The recommended ratio for trainer courses is 1:6
Best practice is a maximum of 2:12, trainer: participants for a trainer course
The minimum course participants for a trainer course is five.
Travel:
Travel for trainers will be reimbursed to cover Fuel costs based
on AA Fuel estimated costs. Please send a completed expense
claim form to info@leavenotraceireland.org
Participant Fee:
The guideline for a trainer course €150 per participant; includes
trainer pack.
The guideline for a trainer course €170 per participant including
venue and catering provision; includes trainer pack.

Course leaders and/or organisations should set the cost of Trainer courses to cover material,
staff and other costs. Course packs are €40.00 per participant. These can be obtained from
the office by emailing info@leavenotraceireland.org
Invoicing:
Trainers contracted by Leave No Trace Ireland should send Invoices to info@leavenotraceireland.org
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6. Trainer Course: Completion

Upon successful completion of a Leave No Trace Trainer course, each participant will become
a Leave No Trace Trainer and receive a completion certificate from Leave No Trace Ireland.

Successful completion of the course requires participation in all course activities and teaching
exercises.

Trainers are asked to send the office the following documents after the training courses:
 Participant Feedback forms
 Registration forms
 Course Report with photos, feedback and suggestions
Copies of these forms are available on the Leave No Trace Ireland Trainer Resources section on
http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/trainer-resources
APPENDIX A: EDUCATIONAL AND ADVISORY GROUP
The members include:

Darach O Murchú, EAG - Advanced Trainer, Director, Leave No Trace Ireland, Chairperson
of EAG

Helen Lawless - Mountaineering Ireland

Vincent McAlinden – Mountaineering Ireland

William O’Halloran – SECAD, Director, Leave No Trace Ireland, Chairperson of Research
Group

Maura Lyons – Programme Manager, Leave No Trace Ireland
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