A guide for outdoor educators in Scotland

Higgins, Peter, Loynes, Christopher ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9779-7954 and Crowther, Neville, eds. (1997) A guide for outdoor educators in Scotland. Adventure Education, Penrith, UK.

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Abstract

In 1987 Neville Crowther (Moray I-louse College) compiled a booklet entitled 'Resources for Teachers of Outdoor Education'. Although much of the information included in a publication of this type has a fairly short life expectancy, this booklet was for several years, a useful reference source for many Outdoor Educators. One of the impediments to revising the book has been the rapid growth in the number and range of organisations, texts and other resources. This has been particularly true of the Environment and Environmental Education. However, in 1994 the Scottish Environmental Education Council produced a 'Guide to Resources for Environmental Education' (soon due for revision) and recently Scottish Natural Heritage have published 'Who's Who in the Environment: Scotland' (1996). Chris Loynes (Adventure Education) first published 'the Outdoor Sourcebook' in 1989. This gives brief details of a wide range of 'outdoor providers' throughout the UK. The production of these greatly simplifies the task of updating the Outdoor Education guide, and has allowed us to develop a number of themes which provide general background and advice. Recent analysis of the needs of teachers by the National Association for Outdoor Education highlights the need to raise awareness that Outdoor Education is worthwhile, as well as to develop the confidence to lead it. The aim of this guide is to support both of these needs. Although this Guide is written with the primary intention of satisfying a need within Scotland, much of the guidance and information will certainly have validity throughout the UK.

Despite many changes in the pattern of Outdoor Education provision in Scotland and the UK over recent years the subject area seems quite resilient. Whilst there have been closures of a number of Outdoor Education Centres as a result of the reorganisation of local government there seems to have been an increase in the number of commercial and charitable trust providers. These range from large organisations with a number of employees to individuals who provide specific services. One result of this shift is a reduction in access to established advice structures such as those to be found within a Centre or a Local Education Authority. With so much change, questions such as 'who can I ask T and 'what resources are available ?'are not so easily answered. Recent changes in legislation (eg Activity Centres (Young Person's Safety) Act 1995) and education provision (5 - 14 curriculum etc) also generate new responsibilities and opportunities, as have rapid changes in Information Technology.

Recent reports indicate that recreational use of the outdoors in Scotland is a major contributor to the economy. For example Highlands and Islands Enterprise concluded in 1996 that within the HIE area, mountaineering related expenditure alone amounted to almost £149 million. Other reports suggest figures of a similar order for watersports. Tourism is currently the greatest contributor to the Scottish Economy and, according to Scottish Enterprise, activity holidays now represent the fastest growing sector of the Scottish tourist industry. These findings lend support to the notion that there are an increasing number of independent providers who may wish to access the broad range of information provided in this Guide.

References:
Adventure Education. The Outdoor Source Book, Adventure Education, Penrith. Published annually.
Crowther, N. (1987) Resources for Teachers of Outdoor Education. Edinburgh: Moray House College of Education, 46p.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (1996) The Economic Impacts of Hillwalking, Mountaineering and Associated Activities in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Inverness: HIE.
Loynes, C. (1996) Meeting the Needs of the Teacher. In: Outdoor Education within Schools, NAOE Conference Report.
Scottish Environmental Education Council (1994) A Guide to Resources for Environmental Education. Stirling: SEEC.
Scottish Natural Heritage (1996) Who's Who in the Environment: Scotland. Perth: SNH Publications.

Item Type:	Book
Publisher:	Adventure Education
ISBN:	1874637040
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Outdoor Studies Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA)
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2010 16:08
Last Modified:	09 Dec 2024 10:52
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/797

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