Leadership & Life Skills – The Atlantic Coast of Morocco

The Leadership and Life-skills course is delivered throughout a week-long trek taking us along the stunningly beautiful Moroccan coastline edged by the Sahara desert.

This course is a fully immersive, participative, Adventure Experience, within which young people will learn by doing, growing in ability to make positive choices for themselves, for others and for the world around them.

The course is designed to help young people:

  • Gain a better understanding of self and others
  • Understand the importance of diversity and difference
  • Practice attributes such as patience, perseverance, tolerance and positive regard
  • Develop focus and set goals
  • Become confident, capable and self motivated
  • Develop flexibility and resilience 
  • Appropriately manage challenge and difficulty
  • Think creatively
  • Forge new friendships

Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY

Participants will be collected from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) by a Venture Safely representative and transported by private transport to their accommodation.

Arrival day allows time for an onsite kit and clothing check followed by a guided orientation trip around Marrakesh. This gives people an opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of Morocco and purchase or hire any small items for the trek that may have been forgotten in the excitement of packing.

We will have a welcome dinner in the evening after which there will be a briefing for the course starting at 08:00hours the following morning. 

Day 2: COURSE BEGINS

Formal introductions to the Venture Safely staff team and distribution of course learning materials.

Topic: Challenge by Choice

 Learning themes: Choice Theory and its role in leadership; reflective learning cycles and keeping a journal; using LEAD (Listening, Empathising, Analysing, Doing); comfort zones; identifying barriers, boundaries and setting goals. Mental health awareness.

Aim: To lay the groundwork for ensuring a safe, effective and fun learning experience relevant to leadership and life.

Day 3: MARRAKESH – TAFDNA

Topic: Values and attitudes: becoming aware of self and others

Learning themes: how our attitude and behaviour impacts on self and others; relationship building; group development and leadership; reflection and use of learning journals

Aims: To promote the formation of congruent relationships; to identify potential challenges and develop strategies for safely managing difficulties; to develop cultural awareness.

Day 4: TAFDNA – SIDI HAMAD SAEIH

Topic: Goal setting – getting to where we want to be

Learning themes: learning from experience, setting personal and group goals, team roles and leadership styles, reflecting in and on action.

Aim: To understand different leadership styles and the importance of adaptive leadership; managing expectations and setting realistic, achievable goals.

Day 5: SIDI HAMAD SAEIH – SIDI MBARK 

Topic: Positively reframing the picture

Learning themes: building on identified learning points; understanding the role of positivity in mental health; building positive regard for self and others; motivation and perseverance.  

Aim: To develop knowledge and understanding of how values and mindsets impact on personal and team morale and achievement.

Build skills in reframing challenges to promote achievement.

To identify and be able to practice strategies for achieving and maintaining positive mental health.

Day 6: SIDI MBARK – SIDI KAOKIL

Topic: Synergy – together we’re stronger

Learning themes: Where are we now? Reviewing group-work and leadership processes. Identifying difference and celebrating diversity.  Playing to strengths and taking a lead in group responsibilities.

Aim: To facilitate and lead different activities within the group; to set personal and group goals for the remainder of the trek and course; to evidence learning through taking a lead in a variety of creative review activities.

Day 7: SIDI KAOL – ESSAOUIRA

Topic: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER – MAKING THE LINKS

Learning theme: Drawing the learning experience together by using the ‘tools’ gained so far; working collaboratively and negotiating  plans; understanding the importance of and managing closure.

Aim: To evidence increased confidence and competence in working as a team; to demonstrate adaptive leadership skills;  to demonstrate appropriate management of feelings and emotions; to evidence an understanding of the link between resilience and mental health

Day 8: ESSAOURIA – MARRAKESH

Topic: WHAT NOW? ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS

Learning theme: identification of personal learning; evidencing awareness of where and when leadership skills may be useful in life- now and in the future; setting goals; sharing the experience through active reviewing; understanding why the skills worked on in this leadership course are relevant to the promotion and maintenance of good mental health.

Aim: To evidence knowledge and understanding of leadership and how the skills learned may be used in everyday life; to evidence knowledge and understanding of the learning cycle and critical reflection; to understand the importance of achieving closure; to evidence setting goals for the future.

This residential runs in June and October and spaces are limited.

This price includes :

+ Airport transfers in Morocco + Accommodation in Marrakesh
+ Full guiding service
+ Cook team
+ Camels for carrying luggage
+ Full board during the trek
+ Lunch on the first day
+ Mineral water during the trek
+ All the bivouac and kitchen equipment
+ Transport from Marrakesh to Marrakesh ( first day + last day to Marrakesh + transfer from last day trek to Essaouira)

Excludes

+ International flights (you will be met at Marrakesh airport by Venture Safely) + Personal/Travel insurance
+ Personal expenses
+ Tips

Cost – £850