Basic Expedition Leader Award Training Section
BELA 2009
The Basic Expedition Leader Award (BELA) is the minimum qualification needed to take cadets on adventure training activities. It is a nationally recognised qualification issued by Sports Leader UK and can therefore be used both inside and outside of the Air Training Corps. The award allows staff to run low-level camps and activities.
South and East Midlands Wing runs a BELA course every other year and trains up to twenty four new leaders on each course. The course consists of four weekends of training carried out a various locations within the Wing’s area. Most weekends begin on a Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. A pre-assessment day is carried out at the start of the course to ensure that all candidates have the necessary pre-requisites for the course. The course culminates with the students running an adventure training weekend for a small group of cadets – putting all the skills learned throughout the course to the test.
Each course is open to all instructor cadets and staff in the Wing who have the aptitude to become an outdoor leader.
The dates for the 2009 course are as follows:
Pre-assessment day: Saturday 16th May 2009
Module 1: Friday 5th – Sunday 7th June 2009
Module 2: Friday 10th – Sunday 12th July 2009
Module 3: Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd August 2009
Assessment module: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September 2009
Once the course has been completed each candidate will have a short period where they consolidate their skills under supervision at their squadron prior to gaining the award.
Anyone who would like more information on the course should speak to the WATTO, Sqn Ldr Wilson, or the course tutor, Flt Lt Roberts.
Full information and application forms for the 2009 course will be distributed to Squadrons in early February 2009 – please contact your Commanding Officer for application forms. The deadline for applications is Friday 3rd April 2009.
