TRACK & TRAIL

Track & Trail is an organisation that delivers adventure-based and challenging training opportunities for adults and young people, designed to support their personal development and life skills. Our programmes incorporate an appropriate level of challenge across all activities, encouraging participants to problem-solve, adapt to varied environments, and engage in new experiences within a safe, structured, and enjoyable framework.

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1. Vision

 

1.1. Track & Trail’s vision for adventure training is to enable individuals to take part in regular activities that are safe, engaging, and appropriately demanding. These activities may include expeditions, trekking programmes, and hiking events.

 

1.2. Adventure training is available to both adults and children. However, where Track & Trail receives payment for the delivery of services, participation by children is restricted to the following circumstances:

 

• When children are participating through an educational establishment, such as a school or college.

• When participation is through a recognised voluntary organisation, including but not limited to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, cadet forces, scouting organisations, or youth groups.

• When children are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

 

These restrictions ensure compliance with the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004. For the avoidance of doubt, a child is defined as any individual under the age of 18.

 

1.3. In delivering or supporting adventure training activities, Track & Trail ensures they are accessible, well-structured, safe, and enjoyable. To maximise learning outcomes, participants are encouraged to stretch their abilities, make informed decisions, learn from mistakes, and engage in reflective practice, with constructive feedback provided that focuses on learning and positive development rather than error.

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2. Activities

 

2.1. The adventure training activities supported by Track & Trail include, but are not limited to:

 

• Hill Walking

• Hiking

• Trekking

• Expedition Skills Training

• Map Reading and Land Navigation

• Fieldcraft

• Camping

• Wild Camping

• Country Walks

• Coastal Walks

 

2.2. By operating in accordance with this standard, Track & Trail ensures that adventure training activities meet applicable UK Government requirements and align with recognised good practice within the Outdoor Education sector, the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, and relevant National Governing and Awarding Bodies, including the Mountain Training Association (MT) and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC).

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3. Seasonal Scope

 

3.1. This operating standard applies to all activities listed in section 2.1 unless explicitly stated otherwise.

 

3.2. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, hill walking activities are restricted to daylight hours and must begin no earlier than 30 minutes after sunrise, and conclude no later than 30 minutes before sunset. Between these times, activities are limited to the designated campsite only.

 

3.3. Activities are not restricted to specific calendar periods. Instead, they may operate throughout the year, provided that suitable summer conditions are present.

 

3.4. Instructors are required to continuously monitor environmental and operational conditions during activities and must suspend or terminate activities where conditions become unsafe.

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4. Supervision

 

4.1. Ensuring appropriate and effective supervision of all participants and staff during hill walking activities is a fundamental requirement. Supervision must be provided by a competent and current individual, referred to within this standard as an Instructor or Leader.

 

4.2. Where activities involve multiple instructors, a Lead Instructor must be appointed. The Lead Instructor holds responsibility for overall planning, coordination, and decision-making. Groups must remain together unless numbers necessitate division into two or more independently supervised groups.

 

4.3. For activities involving children, a minimum supervision ratio of two adult staff members per group applies. Where one member of staff does not meet the qualification requirements outlined in Section 5, they are classified as support staff, and participant numbers must be reduced accordingly.

 

4.4. Instructors must acknowledge that participant development involves applying newly acquired skills and learning through experience, including making mistakes. Supervision may be delivered either directly or remotely, as defined in Section 4 Paragraphs 4.5 and 4.6.

 

4.5. Direct Supervision: The instructor remains physically present and actively engaged with participants throughout the activity. Full briefings are provided, and ongoing support and correction are available. Participants operate as a single cohesive group.

 

4.6. Remote Supervision: The instructor is not in continuous visual contact with participants but maintains oversight through pre-arranged checkpoints or contact intervals. The instructor must complete a detailed risk assessment and route plan (or approve one prepared by participants), including emergency procedures, communication methods, and contact details. Participant competence must be assessed as suitable for the activity and environment. Group leadership roles and responsibilities are agreed prior to departure, and checkpoints are appropriately managed by the instructor.

 

4.7. All instructors must hold a valid First Aid qualification obtained through an in-person course of no less than 18 hours’ duration, including assessment, typically equivalent to First Aid at Work Level 3.

 

5. Instructor Qualifications

 

5.1. A suitably qualified instructor is required for all activities. Instructors must operate strictly within the terrain and activity scope defined by their qualifications. Under no circumstances may an instructor supervise activities beyond their accredited remit. Required qualifications include:

 

• Mountain Training qualifications

• Safeguarding for Leaders

• Working with Young People

• Enhanced DBS clearance

• Level 3 First Aid at Work

• Level 2 Food Safety

 

5.2. While most activities are delivered under direct supervision at a maximum ratio of 1:8, certain activities, such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award assessments, may be conducted under remote supervision subject to compliance with the relevant DofE Operating Standard.

 

5.3. Definitions of Lowland, Hill and Moorland, and Mountain terrain are provided by the Mountain Training Association as the relevant National Governing Body.

 

5.4. Track & Trail primarily uses the Mountain Training Association as its awarding body for instructor qualifications. However, alternative recognised qualifications may be accepted for the delivery of map reading and fieldcraft instruction.

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6. Safe System of Training

 

6.1. The Safe System of Training (SST) provides a structured framework to manage participant safety and is based on the following principles:

 

• Safe People

• Safe Equipment

• Safe Practices

• Safe Places

 

6.2. The SST incorporates mandatory training, professional qualifications, structured procedures, safeguarding oversight, and staff vetting, including DBS checks. These measures aim to reduce risk to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable, in accordance with UK legislation, while maintaining an appropriately challenging training environment.

 

6.3. Track & Trail complies with all relevant regulations, standards, and guidance issued by the Mountain Training Association. Where services are delivered on behalf of a client organisation, the client’s safety and safeguarding policies are fully integrated into operational practice.

 

6.4. All equipment supplied by Track & Trail is routinely inspected, maintained, and safety-checked prior to use. Equipment that does not meet required standards is withdrawn from use until repaired or replaced.

 

6.5. Each activity is supported by comprehensive generic and site-specific risk assessments, which are reviewed and approved by the client prior to delivery.

 

6.6. This operating standard should be read alongside Track & Trail’s Safeguarding Policy (December 2025, Version 1), which forms an integral part of this document.

 

6.7. Further information regarding the Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme can be obtained via the Health and Safety Executive website.