(Dec.08)

Making the most of the environment

The recent Mountain Leader Training Association (MLTA) conference held at Plas-y-Brenin on 8th and 9th November hosted a day workshop dedicated to making the most of the environment. The day was well attended with 14 delegates signing up. The workshop began with Joe Roberts of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) setting the scene with an activity which focused on the importance of planning an outdoor activity from a perspective of the sustainable use of the natural environment. This exercise involved identifying the concepts of minimal impact and also the learning and development potential of that activity.

The main part of the day concentrated on introducing activities designed and developed to add educational value to an outdoor adventurous activity. How can you engage a group of young people in geology whilst running a climbing session? How could you introduce the hydrological cycle to a group who are learning to paddle a river? These were some of the issues addressed and the activities provided set out to engender a positive attitude towards the environment and to encourage opportunity for raising the awareness of the natural world whilst focused on an activity.

The integration of learning about the wider environment is not necessarily a pre requisite of an adventure activity session. The benefits, however, can aid and develop personal and social skills, knowledge and understanding and can develop values and beliefs about our natural world. This value and positive impact can reinforce links improving engagement, achievement and a stronger motivation to learning.

Jim Langley www.natureswork.co.uk

Close this window