Share and develop new perspectives on sustainability in mountaineering
Dear Naturefriends,

Are you a mountaineering or tracking guide or on the way to become one? Are you curious how you can make your outdoor activities more sustainably responsible? Would you like to get new inspiration on how to deepen the emotional relationship of your participants with the natural and social surrounding? Do you want to share your inspiring stories and hear good practices from like-minded colleagues and friends in the mountaineering field from different Naturefriends organisations? And next to this climb up some beautiful mountains while practicing all you have learned?

Then feel very invited to participate at the upcoming international training course “The Way is the Goal”

During the 5 days training course we will share, practice and develop methods and principles for working with youth groups in the mountains that will reflect the values of the Naturefriends movement, of sustainable tourism and of a loving and caring relationship with nature in particular.

For this we will use the beautiful environment around us: our venue is a charming NF-mountain hut, situated high up on a sunny mountain meadow at the foot of peaks reaching for the blue sky.

Since we are Naturefriends, we work in a very particular way: we do not only work with the best, but let everybody join our activity; it is nice to get to the summit, but the way to it is even more important; mountains are not there to be conquered, but to be in; some equipment is needed, but it should not make us lose contact with nature; adrenaline-sports may be thrilling but we also love taking our time to enjoy the walking and being together. This approach we call the ‘nature-friendly’ way: an inclusive and joyful way of guiding people in the mountains with full respect for its nature. We want to share good practises and innovative methods with you that fill this naturefriendly approach with actions that matter and are joyful – and we are sure we can learn a lot from you and the good practises you already apply in your work and with your groups.

For running this programme we have a highly qualified team of experienced trainers. These trainers will bring in their varied expertise in mountaineering the nature-friendly way, but we would also like to invite you all to contribute to the program.

This week will be great, fun and inspiring. Come with us and enjoy!

Berg Frei!

Practical Information:

When:  16 – 23 August 2014

Where:  Naturefriend House St. Jakob, Swiss Alps

What:   Training course on new perspectives of sustainability in mountaineering

Who:    Open for hiking instructors and outdoor group leaders who work with youth groups and those who want to become one

Fee: Naturefriends members: Youth (<26) ca. 125 €; Adults (>26) ca. 250 € – training and full board included.

Non-members: Non-Members: Youth (<26) ca. 150 €; Adults (>26) ca. 300 €

Travel costs: 50% of the travel costs will be reimbursed

Language: English (possible to translate parts into German/French)

Team:   Friedrich Köckert (DE)   – IYNF Trainer

Wilfried Meulenbergs (B)   – NFI Mountain Guide

Jakub Pasieka (PL) – IYNF Trainer, Mountain Guide

Martin Schällebaum (CH) – NFS/esa Trekking Guide

Vanessa Hofeditz (DE)  – Project Coordinator, Junior Trainer

Info: applications@iynf.org, www.nfi.at, www.iynf.org

Applications: http://tinyurl.com/bhwjtrk

Deadline 31.03.2014. First come, first served. Limited places.

This activity is kindly co-funded by the Youth in Action Programme of the European Union.

Note: Only participants from the programme countries will be accepted. Please contact us in case of any questions.