Welcome to PLA 2024. As applications have already closed, PLA 1 and Kayaking cannot take any more participants.

Pathfinder Leadership Award (PLA) is training to enable us to be responsible Pathfinder leaders in the current day and age.

PLA consists of two parts:

PLA1 are Nationally recognised subjects, done through Avondale, that are the basis of all outdoor qualifications.

PLA2 are Pathfinder specific subjects like Pathfinder Administration, Pathfinder Discipline, Active Learning Methods, Pathfinder Programming, Nature Study Methods, Committees and Job Descriptions, Sabbath Camping Programming, Pathfinder Curriculum, Pathfinder Games, Knots & Lashings, Drill & Marching.             

Clubs need at least one person doing PLA or having completed PLA to cover themselves for Insurance etc. Bigger clubs need more.

For the training we will have six main groups happening.

Applications will close on Monday 5th of February @ 11:59pm. This allows us to submit names to Avondale and get you registered as students.

Group 1 – Pathfinder Leadership Award (PLA1)

This course is made up of a number of nationally recognised subjects.  

The learning and assessment will be on Saturday afternoon/night and Sunday till about 2pm. We will be endeavouring to complete the PLA1 assignments before we go home leaving just the multiple choice component of the PLA1 to be done at home. To do PLA1 you MUST HAVE a laptop computer with Google chrome and Microsoft Word on it. Other equivalent programs do not work on this.

Cost of PLA1 is $195. NNSW Conference has paid one third and we recommend you approach your church or club about paying the another one third.

Group 2 – PLA 2 Subjects

These subjects, mentioned above,  can be done at home but not many are doing it. We are offering a chance to do them at the PLA weekend.

Group 3 – Kayaking/Canoeing Flat Water.

If you have completed PLA1, you can register for the “Kayaking/Canoeing Flatwater” Qualification. For this course we will do our practical assessment on Sunday till about 2pm, and will need a log of previous Kayak/canoe trips.  To do a subject on Saturday night, you will need a Laptop computer with Google Chrome and Microsoft Word on it. Other equivalent programs do not work on this.

Cost varies as to what subjects you have already done (e.g. PLA1). It could be up to $650. NNSW Conference will pay one third and we recommend you approach your church or club about paying the other one third. We will bill you when Avondale works out your fee.

Group 4 – First Aid and CPR.

This will consist of CPR on Saturday night and First Aid Sunday till 2pm. Cost is, First Aid and CPR $140. CPR only is $95 cost is by participant.

Group 5 – Master Guide

Master guides can now finish the subject in one year. Attend PLA in Feb16-18 and again in July 19-21. Only the reading and exercise program need to be done at home. Both weekends will be at Stuarts Point. 

Application Fees and Meals

For each of the above groups, there is a $25 application fee for the weekend. This includes Saturday night dinner supplied by the conference. If you have extra family members/friends with you who are not doing training, but would like to join us for the Saturday night meal, you can register them below at $6 each.

Accommodation

You will have to arrange your accommodation with Stuarts Point Convention Center. Cost is $33/per powered site for two people and then an additional $8 for anyone 17 years or under, $10 for anyone 18 years and over. 

Or you can choose to book a cabin.