The Institute for Earth Education in partnership with the
Cairngorms National Park Authority
offers a workshop for outdoor leaders.
This 3½ day training includes participation in a day-long Muir Trek, how to prepare participants for the trek, and the necessary Muir Trek leadership skills and materials
The 3½ days of training include:
Day 1:(starts at 2.00) An introduction to earth education, the rationale for the Muir Trek and how to prepare your participants for a Muir Trek
Day 2: A full day - from sunrise to sunset – experiencing a Muir Trek
Day 3:A full day reviewing the Muir Trek Leader’s Manual, processing the Muir Trek and its inputs, and sharing the nuances of successful trekking.
Day 4:Final morning sessions on ways to promote the Muir Trek, plus other leader responsibilities
The Muir Trek is a sunrise to sunset journey through a natural wild place no one knows, inspired by explorer, Sierra Club founder and ‘father’ of the National Park movement, John Muir. Muir would head into the wilds of nature seeking only the richness of the day rather than set a destination. The Muir trek emphasises the Muir-inspired qualities of zest, celebration, joy and adventure in the natural world. However the focus of the Muir Trek is on the individual in the natural world – not the group. Group bonding is not emphasised on a Muir trek. Instead, the day is accented with leader inputs which help the participants explore their own perceptions and experiences in nature, which are shared in an informal way with the group.
The Muir Trek begins shortly before sunrise as the leader and 8 to 11 participants set off to explore the essence of a wild place close to hand. Carrying all they need with them – water, a bit of food, proper clothing – they take the time to explore a small part of our planet. Rather than seeking a destination or being challenged by nature, the Muir Trek moves deliberately with the day. The goal is an internal one, to be conscious and joyful in being
outdoors, in direct contact with the earth. There is time to sit and watch and reflect on the natural world, and to saunter and wander over relatively short distances.
Developed by the Institute for Earth Education (IEE) and led by its Associate staff members since first described in Acclimatizing (1974), the Muir Trek has been recently revised and updated, and now we would like to begin training others to lead this inspiring experience. This is the first ‘open’ Muir Trek leaders workshop to be held in Scotland. An overview of the whole workshop is shown over the page.
As with other institute programmes, once participants have attended the workshop, if you decide to offer Muir Treks, they can only be offered through a Memorandum of Agreement with IEE, which must be completed prior to the training. It spells out the relationship with the institute and the per participant trek materials that must be purchased from IEE (these are currently the equivalent of £8 per head). There is also a Muir Trek leadership package which you can purchase along with your first order of Muir Trek participant items at the time of the workshop or at a later date. The leaders package, which currently costs £80 includes props, the book “The Wilderness World of John Muir” and a password for the Muir Trek website for updates and downloadable forms and sample fliers
Where: Glenfeshie, Cairngorms National Park.
When: May 4th – 7th
Cost: £275
The all inclusive workshop fee covers, leadership, participation in a full day Muir Trek, the Muir Trek leaders Manual, and a sample set of participant materials. Three nights accommodation and meals are included.
Land based businesses within the Cairngorms National Park may be eligible for a grant towards the cost of this course, please contact Alan Smith on 01479 870518 or for further information.
Event Leader
Jon Cree - International Training Co-ordinator for The Institute for Earth Education and Training and Education Officer at Bishops Wood Environmental Centre, Worcestershire.
For further information and booking contact Cairngorms National Park Authority
01479 870518 or