SNH helps hundreds complete their ‘Discovery’ on Outward Bound® adventures

Almost £44,000 of SNH funding has helped 12 to 16 year-olds from low-income households, predominantly from Central Scotland, to attend a five-day residential Outward Bound course at Loch Eil, near Fort William.

During the course youngsters explored, swam, scrambled and ran, climbed, canoed and camped, whilst learning about the stunning landscapes, geology and wildlife of the Highlands. Participants also carried out conservation activities, such as rhododendron clearing and path building, helping them to achieve the John Muir Award at Discovery Level.

In feedback, 90% of the youngsters said that they felt more motivated about acting responsibly towards the natural environment, and 79% felt motivated about discovering nature close to where they live. Increasing outdoor learning opportunities, as well as encouraging more people to enjoy and benefit from a healthy natural environment, are priority aims in the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity. Work such as SNH’s partnership with The Outward Bound Trust is helping to achieve both of these outcomes.

Participants learnt about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, how different landscapes are formed, the impact humans have on the environment and how to care for it. “I will respect the environment more and be more determined”; and “I will do more adventurous things”, said pupils from Irvine Royal Academy.

Pete Rawcliffe, SNH’s People & Places Unit Manager, said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to support this project over the past three years, enabling these youngsters to discover the wild places around Loch Eil and learn about our impact on the environment. Giving young people opportunities to enjoy and learn about the natural world is hugely beneficial for them in terms of personal development, healthy living and employability. Supporting the Outward Bound courses was a fantastic opportunity for us to help hundreds of young people to experience Scotland's wonderful outdoor environment and establish a life-long interest in its care."

Outward Bound courses are designed to help develop a variety of personal skills and attributes including confidence, resilience, goal-setting, teamwork and interpersonal skills. The Trust’s Scottish Director, Martin Davidson, said, “The Outward Bound Trust exists to unlock the potential in young people through learning and adventure in the wild. Thanks to this funding from Scottish Natural Heritage we have been able to develop courses to deliver very focused learning on our spectacular mountain and coastal environments and to help disadvantaged young people to explore and enjoy them in a responsible and sustainable way. Our experiences delivering these courses have also helped us to enhance what we offer across all of our residential courses at Loch Eil.”

Ends

Notes to Editors
For information on The Outward Bound Trust: http://www.outwardbound.org.uk/
For information on the John Muir Award: https://www.jmt.org/jmaward-home.asp