The Institute of Swimming (IoS) have joined forces with cultural exchange programme providers Camp Leaders and Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry to offer a fantastic training opportunity and the experience of a lifetime for young adults this summer.
The IoS, the training and delivery arm of the ASA, is offering applicants to Camp Leaders USA summer camps the chance to gain a Level 1 swimming teaching qualification at half the usual price, before jetting off across the pond to an adventure-filled summer as an assistant swimming instructor.
Once the ASA training course has been completed, applicants will also benefit from hands on experience with a local swimming club to help build up their experience.
The Sports Leaders programme run by Camp Leaders offers qualified teachers and coaches the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to instruct sports at American summer camps for a minimum of nine weeks.
It is being supported by some of the UK’s top athletes who are all keen to see qualified instructors take part in the summer camp programme, including one of Great Britain’s top Olympic swimmers, Athens medallist Steve Parry:
“This is a great, affordable way to gain invaluable work experience, a recognised qualification and a fantastic new instructing experience through hands on learning,” he said. “The great service the Camp Leaders group provides easily highlights why so many qualified instructors are turning to them to start their greatest adventure!”
ASA’s Head of Workforce Development Spencer Moore is delighted at the partnership and the prospects it will bring for new candidates.
“As well providing the access route to invaluable work and life experience at summer camp, this is a brilliant opportunity for people to achieve the first step on the ladder to becoming a qualified swimming teacher at a fraction of the usual cost,” he said. “Level 1 courses typically cost around £370 so we are effectively offering these high quality qualifications at half price”.
As well as placement at an accredited American summer camp, the Sports Leaders programme includes all flights, meals, accommodation, visas, medical insurance, supporting preparation information and participant handbooks at a cost of £279.
At the end of the summer participants receive a $1070 (approx £540) salary payment. Applicants must be at least 18 years old on 1st June 2008, available to travel from early/mid June through to mid/late August, speak fluent English, have a valid passport until the end of the year, be fit and healthy and have no criminal convictions.
The ASA Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Aquatics courses offered in partnership with Camp Leaders cost £185 per candidate (plus £25 administration fee). The duration of the course is five days on the following dates:
Newcastle upon Tyne: 29th & 30th March, 5th, 6th and 13th April
Islington, London: 15th-19th March
Spelthorne, London: 25th-29th March
Wolverhampton, Birmingham: 25th-29th March
Bristol: 25th-29th March
Gorton, Manchester: 25th-28th March & 30th March-2nd April
Liverpool: 18th-26th March
Places are limited and are going fast; so to receive further details of both the Sports Leaders camps and the ASA Level 1 courses send an email to sportsleaders@campleaders.com
For more information visit www.campleaders.com/sportsleaders
Notes:
British Swimming
British Swimming represents the home countries of England, Scotland and Wales and holds the Coaching Standards Group licence to develop and award qualifications meeting UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) standards for all swimming disciplines.
British Swimming contracted the ASA Awarding Body to develop the qualifications and granted them the licence to award its qualifications in England and Wales. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has the licence to award qualifications in Scotland.
Amateur Swimming Association (ASA)
The ASA is the national governing body for swimming and its related disciplines in England. In order to comply with national education and training standards it has developed two separate and independent arms – the ASA Awarding Body and the Institute of Swimming (IoS) which represent the awarding and delivery channels for all ASA qualifications.
ASA Awarding Body
The ASA Awarding Body develops, assesses, awards and quality assures all ASA qualifications. It is the equivalent of other awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations), The ASA Awarding Body is licensed by British Swimming to award qualifications in England and Wales. It also has the remit for quality assurance of all areas of UKCC standards.
Institute of Swimming (IoS)
The IoS is a licensed training provider, like a school or college. It is one of many ASA Awarding Body Approved Centres.
The IoS is also a membership body for qualified swimming teachers and coaches, providing insurance, advice and learning opportunities to its members.
For more information please contact: Claire Freeman at Claire.freeman@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
www.britishswimming.org
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