A seminar to train youth leaders being held in Slovenia this summer is a unique opportunity for young climbers from around the world to learn how to teach mountaineering to children.
The UIAA approved seminar takes place at the Mountaineering Training Centre Bavšica in the scenic Bavšica Valley. It is the main training facility used by the Alpine Association of Slovenia (Planinska zveza Slovenije) to train mountain guides, mountaineering group mentors and youth leaders.
Based on training principals and expertise that the Alpine Association of Slovenia has developed over decades, the four day programme which takes place between 29 August and 2 September, 2012. It is designed for experienced youth trainers and coaches over 18 years old, representing climbing federations, clubs or sections to teach youth ranging from 3-year-old s to 18-year-olds.
Participants should be keen mountaineers, have experience or interest in working and coaching young children, show a willingness to learn the PZS system and share their experiences at the meet.
The programme is meant to encourage development of mountaineering in different countries by identifying issues and problems, using the PZS system as an example of a best practice and developing plans to have more international participants.
Organizers say a special feature of the Global Youth Summit seminar that teaches mountaineering related activities ranging from day hikes, ski mountaineering to rock, snow and ice climbing to young people is that it is designed by young people for young people.Topics will include a focus on the youth and age-adjusted programmes.
Two days have been set aside on how to work and train young people and work with groups consisting of different ages. Other days include learning climbing techniques, hiking in the Triglav National Park and climbing on an artificial wall.
A creative example of how to teach climbing to young people provided by organizers is the Tiddler Climber and Young Climber campaigns designed especially for primary school students. Children are are encouraged to enter their impressions from their trips in the Ringa Raja diary and those who take a certain number of trips are rewarded with a badge and a song book.
The campaign includes a Young Climber Diary bestowal ceremony and students have to pass a climbing test and can win a gold, silver or bronze Young Climber Award.
Guides and climbing group mentors from the Alpine Association of Slovenia regularly organize climbing trips for young people, hold regular meetings of climbing groups at primary schools and has one of the world’s largest climbing programmes in schools and climbing clubs. They also organize the Tiddler Climber and Young Climber campaigns and other activities that promote mountaineering.
For more information please contact Zdenka Mihelič at +386 41 222 358 or via email at mihelic.zdenka@gmail.com. The email for the Youth Commission of PZS is mladinska.komisija@pzs.si
The application deadline is 20 July 2012. More detailed information and an application form can be found here on the UIAA website.
