Train the Trainer - Outdoors as a tool

Important:

This training ist a two week course, starting with the first week in the netherlands from 15.2.25 to 22.2.25 in Ommen as mentioned above, followed by a second week in Germany near Kassel from 27.4.25 - 4.5.25 with a couple of online sessions inbetween. Participation at only one of the weeks is not possible

What can I expect?

The two-week program is tailored for EU professionals in non- and formal education and youth work. Participants will focus on team development, personal growth as trainers, facilitation techniques, and practical outdoor activities for group work. This hands-on experience provides valuable skills to enhance teamwork and personal development within their own groups. The outdoors will be the tool to work with young people and give space for them to develop personal and social skills.

Objectives:

• Develop Skills in Outdoor Education: Gain practical knowledge and techniques to integrate nature-based activities into your training repertoire with a specific focus on how to use those skills with (youth) groups.
• Enhance Personal Development: Learn how outdoor experiences can be used to facilitate personal growth and self-awareness among participants.
• Foster Social Learning: Discover strategies for using group dynamics in natural settings to promote teamwork, communication, and social skills.
• Build Resilience: Understand how outdoor challenges and experiences can strengthen individual resilience and coping strategies.
• Connect with Nature: Cultivate a deeper appreciation and connection to the natural environment, encouraging participants to respect and engage with nature.

Overview of the methods and content of the two weeks

1. First Week: Working with teams/ groups outdoors

• Group Dynamics and Roles
• Problem-Solving Exercises
• Team Challenges
• Learning theory
• Scaling models
• Trainer personality
• Risk optimization
• And much more...

2. Second Week: More outdoor tools and practical application

• Living outdoors: Bivouac, cooking above the fire
• Cooperative Challenges
• Fire techniques
• Orienting in the Wild
• Plant Knowledge
• Practical application of the learnings with a group
• And much more...

Participants:

We invite participants from the fields of youth work, facilitation, group training, and formal education—whether in schools or adult education, including teachers and social workers. Ideal participants should have a foundational understanding of action-based learning and possess basic knowledge of group dynamics, as well as an affinity for the outdoors.

This seminar is perfect for those looking to enhance their practical skills in the outdoors while applying and expanding their expertise in teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication within diverse group settings. Feel free to contact us for further information.

Since we work with only a certain amount of partner organisations we can only accept applicants from the following countries. 

Germany

Poland

Bulgaria

Slovenia

Netherlands

The seminar has a maximum of 25 participants. There are five spots for participants from one country, however there is a chance to fill up spots that other countries didn't take.

Methods:

Throughout the whole program we will use a mix of the following methods:

• Experiential learning
• Workshops
• Interactive talks and reflection phases (in groups and alone)
• Self organized learning
• Group discussions
• Practical application of the learnings with groups

Trainers:

Our Seminar is led by experienced trainers from Germany and the Netherlands. The partner organizations from these countries are Buitendoor and Institut für Erlebnispädagogik.

Venues/ Accommodation:

In the Netherlands participants will be accommodated in a seminar house in group rooms. Meals will be provided. Day of arriving: 15th; day of departure: 22nd of February.

In Germany participants will be spending the week fully outdoors at a camp in the forest near Kassel. Therefore it is mandatory to bring a sleeping bag (made for weather in german springtime) and camping mattresses. If you don’t have or can’t borrow those, contact us, as we do have a couple of spare parts. We will provide materials to set up your own bivouac, if you prefer you can also bring your own tent. In Germany we will organize participant groups throughout the week, who will take care of preparing the meals above the fire. Day of arriving: 27th of April; Day of departure: 4th of May.