The IOL vision is ‘Outdoor learning as a highly valued form of development, education and employment in UK society’. The desire to help others derive more value from engaging with the many different forms of outdoor learning lies at the heart of my commitment to IOL. I’m clear we all need to develop our thinking and practices if we are to achieve this.
The Institute’s National Conference is a key point in the outdoor learning calendar when we have the opportunity to join up our thinking. It is a time to be challenged by others, to learn from their experience and to encourage practices that have greater impact and are more valuable for those we work with. I spent some time over the past year considering what we might need to make the 2016 annual Conference sufficiently challenging, learning opportunity filled and encouraging to IOL’s diverse member population. The result is an event that draws on innovative practice, academic research and lessons from outside the UK.
Our keynote speaker takes a refreshingly holistic approach to the purpose of outdoor learning. Valerie Hannon’s experience is reflective of a career in advising government and national agency on an international basis. Those delivering the masterclasses represent some of our most experienced practitioners and draw on recent research and evaluation activity. If your objective is to build your network or consult with key folk from across the sector, there is space in the programme to do so. The Institute’s Professional Practice Groups will all be represented and if you’re looking to develop some specific areas of your practice or wider business they represent a fantastic opportunity for guidance in an informal residential setting.
Before you sign up for this year’s conference please consider who in your team or wider network would benefit from engaging with some of the best practitioners in the sector. Pass them the details and make the appropriate encouraging noises.
I look forward to exploring the many opportunities and challenges our sector faces, be that new apprenticeships, working with Sport England, steering the Education Select Committee or our journey towards chartered status. I hope you’ve penciled in October 14 & 15th in the diary and if not do so now.