Working at PGL has offered me a huge array of jobs with varying difficulties, lengths and requirements. As an “AIGL” (Meaning activity instructor/group leader) I have two main roles which I can also specialise in. The portion of these roles I will actually do depends on the weekly rota. This is created by management and tells you what work you are rostered on for each day. Some AIGLs are more suited to being a group leader and others to activity instructing, but most people get a chance to do both.
The activity instructor role involves running a vast range of sessions for either school groups, indies (during school holidays), EFLs (English as a foreign language) or other kinds of groups. This can also be specialised further into study groups which are schools completing their A levels or GCSEs (equivalent of year 12 and year 10) who get sessions that align with their coursework. Training to run different sessions usually occurs during quieter periods and can range from things like archery, hike, water sports and problem solving, all the way to ropes activities such as giant swing and zip wire. Ropes activities require days worth of training and also an external assessor, so they run less often. In order to become a field studies instructor you must have a university degree (science based). This ensures you have an introductory understanding to most of the topics which are discussed in the sessions. Some examples of sessions include GRF (Geology, rocks and fossils), stream ecology, map skills, and a vast range of excursions in the local area. EFL groups speak very little english and can be challenging to give instructions during activities. These groups need extra assistance and simpler language than others.
The other role, and my personal favourite, is being a group leader/groupie. This can differ based on the kind of group someone is in charge of, however the role mostly remains the same. It requires you to be the groups main point of contact during their stay. You go to meals with them, you are there when they wake up in the morning, you run games, take them to where they need to go and you even do evening activities with them. So essentially, everytime they aren't on sessions they are with you. The different kinds of groups include regular groups with supervising adults (such as teachers), indies, field studies and EFL groups. There are seperate trainings for each of
these specialties. Schools or other association groups come with teachers/adults who aid in behaviour management and can dictate what sessions they desire throughout their stay. However, indies groups typically include kids who come alone and therefore we are responsible for their welfare their entire stay. These groups occur during summer holidays and involves consistent overseeing of their behaviour, including overnight. You can also have field studies groups which, as stated above, are school groups completing course work while at PGL. The group leader for these groups will also attend most of their sessions with them depending on how long their stay is. Lastly, EFL groups are typically like a school group, however their main aim is to learn english. These groups get additional classes as well as their adventure activities. The groupies would also need extra training in order to simiplfy their language and manage these groups effectively.
There are also other smaller roles which AIGLs may be required to do. This can include night support ring summer holidays, run, arrivals, carpark duty, work, ENTs, cover and the occasional catering or housekeeping shift. Night support is during indies (I have been fortunate enough to not do this). Run, arrivals and carpark duty also occur during indies and help with moving and signing in kids. "Work" is basically maintenance or the odd job that needs dooing around centre. This can often include cleaning storage areas, gardening and setting up new activities. ENTs are evening activities which usually run after dinner time. All group leaders do ENTs with their group, but they will typically have an attach to aid them. Lastly, cover is when you are a backup for sessions. If you are not needed you will just be sent home.
Overall this job involves a lot of variety which is one of the things I love most about it. One week you can be on something completely different to the week before. If you have any questions about working at PGL please feel free to send me a message via my contact page or over instagram!
Thank you, love Amy ♡
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