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RPIOL

HKOLA has become the first Approved RPIOL Centre in Hong Kong!

Registered Practitioners of the Institute for Outdoor Learning (RPIOL) can plan, prepare and lead safe and engaging outdoor learning sessions to achieve intended outcomes.

 

Awarded by the UK's Institute of Outdoor Learning, the RPIOL scheme is an accreditation of your approach, understanding and experience as an outdoor educator. It shows potential employers in the UK and Hong Kong your commitment to being an outdoor professional.

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In the process of achieving the award, you will

  • receive coaching, guidance and advice for developing your practice

  • support for reflecting on your strengths, interests and future aspirations

  • develop your future career pathway in outdoor education

Ecology Gardening Tour

IS RPIOL for you?

  • Open to affiliate or student members of the UK's Institute for Outdoor Learning.

  • You have at least 1-2 years of experience with individuals or groups in the role of instructor, teacher, coach, leader, youth worker, trainer, etc.?

  • Can work in any branch of outdoor learning, e.g. outdoor education, personal development, professional development, sports coaching, adventure tourism, outdoor therapy, etc.

  • Can provide outdoor learning in any outdoor location – e.g. activity centre, school grounds, parkland, wider countryside, sea, lowland, upland or mountains.

  • Can specialise in one subject / sport (e.g. bushcraft, forest school, hill-walking, paddlesport etc.) or deliver a wide range of different activity sessions (e.g. multi-activity instructor).

  • Lead sessions that include direct engagement with the outdoor environment (doing or experiencing), rather than simply taking place outside.

  • RPIOL is an ideal partner to established staff induction and training programmes and university courses that include a strong practical experience element.

RPIOL Coaching

Individual coaching tailored to your situation and needs is a highly valued part of the RPIOL process. Your RPIOL Coach must be an APIOL Holder or Recognised Professional in Outdoor Learning willing to guide and support you as you complete your application. They provide as much or as little help as you need and can:

  • Share tips, tools and techniques for briefings, teaching, reviews, etc.

  • Be a sounding board so you can articulate the effect the outdoors has had on you and your future goals and aspirations

  • Help you reflect on how you tailor your approach to suit the differing needs of participants

  • Advise on CPD activities that will support your next steps in outdoor learning

Meeting

How to start

  1. Contact HKOLA - HK's Approved RPIOL Centre to register interest. We will share more detailed information.

  2. Download RPIOL Registration and complete the self-assessment - if you are not yet an IOL Member you should join online first.

  3. Connect with an RPIOL Coach - we can help you identify an IOL Coach who will support you through RPIOL and sign your completed application.

  4. Send your application to Join-IOL

IOL will contact you to confirm your registration is accepted and send you your RPIOL Application to complete.

Group of Mountain Bikers

Sections of an RPIOL application

  1. Your outdoor ‘CV’ shows the range of your education, training, experience, knowledge, skills.

  2. Your outdoor learning development plan celebrates where you have come from and where you’re going next.

  3. Your evidence against the criteria includes your reflections on approaches to outdoor learning and examples of outdoor leadership.

  4. Your session observations and employer backing confirm your competence, experience and approach to delivering outdoor learning sessions.

  5. Your professional endorsement from a coach confirms your professional conduct, reflective practice and future goals and aspirations.

  6. Finally, a professional discussion with an independent assessor

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