A couple of weeks have passed since the first session of the Carpathia Guiding Academy (you can read about it HERE). The beginning of April found us at the Richita Centre for Activities and Nature Exploration. This time, our new guides were joined by some of our existing guides for another two days of intensive training. The main focus points of this round of training were an extensive first aid course, a culinary workshop and a full-day-long hospitality seminar.
Our guides undergo this unique and comprehensive training programme which empowers them with the necessary skills to manage our wildlife hides, future campsites, as well as the Cobor Biodiversity Farm ecotourism programmes. The programme is designed to equip our guides with a diverse set of skills that enable them to effectively handle various aspects of our ecotourism offerings.
Safety First
The safety of our guests is paramount for us. This is why we want to ensure that all our guides and staff are well-versed in providing first aid. Since our tours take place in the wilderness, we believe this aspect is of great importance. Paul-Andrei Avram, a professional first aid instructor from HowTo Trainings, came over to deliver an excellent training course. The majority of the participants were already certified in providing first aid. However, we believe that these skills should be practiced periodically.
Photos by: Andrei Alexandru Popa
For the better part of about four hours, the participants were effectively taught how to make the difference between life and death. Paul provided everyone with the necessary information and taught the right skills needed to be able to intervene in most emergency situations.
This included how to:
- apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manoeuvres
- stop any type of bleeding with bandages, tourniquets, haemostasis
- save people from choking with objects
- react when someone passes out – Lateral Safety Position (PLS)
- immobilize a fracture
- treat situations caused by burns or hypothermia
- communicate effectively with the emergency services
- check vital signs
- help people suffering from various conditions: stroke, acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), diabetes, asthma, epilepsy
- create a first aid kit
We encourage anyone to take a first aid course. You never know when it could come in handy, giving you the ability to save the lives of the people around you and of the people close to you.
Not on an empty stomach
We also want our guests to enjoy amazing food during their stay with us. As such, we arranged a culinary workshop for our guides. Mirela Codleanu, chef at Bran Castle Restaurant, was the one conducting this workshop.
During this event, our guides had the opportunity to learn new cooking skills and delicious local recipes. These were especially designed with our wilderness cabins in mind. We strive to use only the best local organic ingredients so that our guests can taste proper, authentic Romanian food.
The food used by Travel Carpathia is purchased from the The Fruits of the Mountains (RO: Roadele Munților), another project of the Foundation Conservation Carpathia. Rodele Munților is a food hub used for the collection and distribution of local, traditional products from the Făgăraș Mountains area. This project is part of a larger programme to support local producers in this area. Small producers who farm responsibly and respect nature, who are certified and who care about ingredients and traditional recipes.
Photos by: Andrei Alexandru Popa
Excellence is never an accident
Rooted in our desire to offer our guests exceptional experiences, we brought in Simon Collier. Simon is a tourism & hospitality specialist from South Africa, with over twenty years of experience in nature tourism. Simon’s vast experience and his passion for supporting sustainable businesses make him the perfect fit for the Carpathia Guiding Academy. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in guiding, lodge management and general management to the Academy, which will greatly benefit our guides. With Simon’s guidance, our guides will not only improve their skills but also learn how to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. We are thrilled to have Simon on board as a key member of the Academy, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our guides and our guests.
This initial seminar was centred around the role that a guide has, hospitality and the first encounters with our guests. It was a very informative but also an interactive whole day affair, with multiple fun exercises along the way.
Photos by: Andrei Alexandru Popa
Wilderness adventures with a purpose at Travel Carpathia
We’re excited to continue this journey of providing our guests with the finest wilderness experiences in Romania. Also, we’re proud of our guides’ commitment to ongoing learning and improvement through the Carpathia Guiding Academy. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on their progress as their training continues over the next couple of years.
We invite you to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Carpathian Mountains with us. By booking a conservation journey with Travel Carpathia, not only will you have the opportunity to explore one of the most breathtaking regions in Europe, but you will also actively contribute to the preservation of its unique ecosystem. Join us in our mission to create a sustainable future for the Carpathian Mountains, while enjoying a truly unforgettable adventure. Book your conservation journey with Travel Carpathia today.