Mountain Mentor Scheme

For 2008 we are running a new mentoring scheme. The scheme is suitable for people who are either looking for a career change into the outdoor industry (Professional Development Scheme), or people who are taking up mountaineering and want to develop their skills over a longer period of time (Personal Development Scheme). The scheme combines regular training sessions with a highly qualified and experienced instructor, a personalised development plan, and a variety of personalised learning materials and methods including unlimited telephone and email contact with your mentor for advice, inspiration and ideas. To make sure this is the best option for you, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your options and goals in detail before booking on to a consultation day.

Professional Development Scheme
Over the last few years we have helped a number of individuals change careers and become successful outdoor instructors. This process takes time, and we recognise that people need to work to eat meanwhile! Our professional development scheme starts with a consultation and taster day, where we look at your previous experience and your goals and aspirations to develop a personalised program to help you reach National Governing Body (NGB) standards and go for your awards. The program incorporates regular coaching sessions, observation sessions, recommended reading and “homework”, with personalised learning materials, over a period of time to suit you and your aspirations. You will also have unlimited access by email or phone to your mentor, to keep you on the right track and to offer advice. The scheme is open to anyone with an enthusiasm for the outdoors, no previous experience is necessary. After the consultation day we will supply you with a detailed plan and contract, although there is no obligation to continue at this stage. We will also tell you whether or not we think this is the career for you!

Sample program:
- Month 1 - Taster and consultation day
- AM - discuss previous experience, aims and objectives, overview of NGB awards, develop personal programme
- PM - rock climbing taster session
- Day 2 -walking and scrambling taster day, homework
- Months 2 - 12, 2 days per month developing skills in chosen activities (eg. rock climbing awards, mountain walking awards), completing homework and using learning materials
- Months 13 - 15: preparing for NGB award, 2 days training per month including observation sessions
- Months 15 - 18 - NGB award training and assessment, preparing for freelance work
- Months 18 - 24 - continued skills training and observation sessions, mentoring into freelance work

For more information please contact us to discuss your plan.

Personal Development Scheme
Dragon has also helped many people develop a new but enduring passion for the outdoors, and many of our clients return time and time again to try out new activities or develop new skills. To this end, we are setting up the Personal Development Scheme where you can attend for regular skills training sessions over 6 months or 12 months, to allow you time to consolidate your skills in between. You will also benefit from personalised training plans to maximise your fitness, and unlimited telephone or email advice and recommended reading for in between sessions.

Sample program:
- April - 2 days mountain walking and map skills
- May - 2 days rock climbing safety skills
- June - 2 days Bouldering and rock movement skills
- July - 2 days seconding skills and top rope set ups
- August - 2 days lead climbing skills
- September - 2 days scrambling skills
- October - 2 days mountain walking and scrambling skills
- November - 2 days walking and navigation skills
- December - 2 days advanced navigation skills
- January - 2 days emergency ropework skills
- February - 2 days basic winter skills (Scotland)
- March - 2 days further winter mountaineering skills (Scotland)

For more information please contact us to discuss your plan.