Personal Profile
LEADING Practitioner Holder - Stephen Dickson
Who are you?
Stephen Dickson, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Tell us about your most rewarding experience of outdoor learning.
Whoa, where do you start! I have been working in the outdoors for over 20 years and have had allot of rewarding experiences. At 18 I was inspired by attending Outward Bound Loch Eil for 3 weeks in 1982. It gave me the confidence that I was good at some outdoor activities and that I could maybe get some qualifications one day. I also learnt a great deal about myself taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and as a member of the Scouts association. These formative outdoor learning experiences gave me a passion for Outdoor education and a desire to make opportunities for others to experience what I had experienced. As recently as last week at Belfast Activity Centre I had a rewarding experience, I walked around the site when we had in over 10 groups in Centre simultaneously and got a real buzz from seeing the range of Outdoor learning opportunities taking place at one time. There were young people expressing themselves through, arts and crafts, drumming and environmental activities, others on the leap of faith, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and some down the cave. Each instructor was facilitating personal learning for their group and maximizing the outcomes through reviewing the sessions. To me the reward was in knowing that I had put the people and resources in place to allow the opportunities to happen.
What is your favourite piece of equipment/kit?
At the minute it is the petzel e+lite. I am a closet ‘gear freak’ and really like the design, practicality and long life battery. It has been used in a few emergencies while also being light and handy to carry. Jack my two year old also loves it for exploring cupboards and under the bed.
Outdoor learning is your career but how much of your spare time is spent in outdoor activities?
Not as much as I would want. The last few years have been busy developing the Charity, starting a family and completing a Masters. My personal activities include sailing, waterskiing and diving. I don’t teach any of these so I feel that I am getting away and learning for myself. My son has just turned two and has already been caving and canoeing with me. He loves scrambling about and I think he will grow into a climber. He spent his first birthday on a Gold Duke of Ed expedition in the French Alps and loved it. I am really enjoying introducing him to the activities I am passionate about.
Can you offer one piece of key advice to someone on outdoor learning as a career?
Tickets are not the only thing you need to collect to become an instructor. Personal experience in a range of environments at a challenging level makes a more rounded instructor. Challenge yourself with an activity you don’t feel comfortable in and remember the experience- that’s what your clients will be feeling like. If you experience feeling cold, scared and sad on the inside, then you will really focus on making sure any one in your care does not end up in this place. A wise man gave me three gems of wisdom first keep it safe- then make it fun and finally try to teach something new in every experience. If you do these three things the people you introduce to the outdoors will grow a passion for it and what they can learn in it.
Is there a message you would like to get across to the decision makers in education/government?
Our current system of education fails a percentage of young people. Others loose touch with the world they live in and the best academics can some times be the least able to communicate and problem solve. Does this not tell us there is a need to engage in alternative forms of education? Are we playing lip service to the “manifesto for education outside the classroom” or are we trying to build the world’s best education system? My challenge to those in power is to give us a day of your time to show what this sector can achieve given the right backing! The IOL office has my number if your game enough, after all Tony Blair went out in a dinghy and hit the headlines!
How do you see your future role in relation to being a holder of LPIOL and the influence that you might be able to bring to bear in the outdoor field?
I have spent my career trying to resource our charity, engage the best possible team of people and provide them with training and support because as a young instructor these things sapped my energy which I wanted to put into the young people I work with. If I am now able to influence change at a higher level and offer support to the next generation of outdoor practitioners then I will gladly give time to do so.
And Finally.....
Question Time or Top Gear?
That’s a hard one as I don’t get much time for TV and prefer Dragons Den, Secret Millionaire and the Apprentice. (Crystal maze doesn’t seem to be on any more!) Though I’m not happy about their environmental practices I must say top gear is a bit mad and more adventurous thought the presenters could do with a good personal development course!