A group of assistant instructors recently spent a challenging weekend in the Lake District, practicing their outdoor skills, as part of their training towards a qualification in Understanding Outdoor Education.
The group – all volunteers – are spending a year with the Ardwhallan Outdoor Education Centre as part of the Assistant Instructor Programme, sponsored by Best Group International, an Island-based company specialising in apparel, marketing and helping start-up businesses progress and develop.
They were joined on the residential trip by Paul Melling – Head of Outdoor Centres, and outdoor instructors – Dave Read and Lucy Connors.
Over the weekend, the group participated in a range of outdoor activities such as hill climbing to the summit of the third highest peak in the Lake District – Helvellyn, setting up a bivouac camp for the night, canoeing the rapids of the River Eden and rock climbing.
The assistant instructors have already developed skills in first aid, lifesaving, sailing, archery, and paddle-sports, during the first few months of training.
Minister for Education and Children, Tim Crookall MHK, said:
'The assistant instructors continue to develop their leadership skills through the wealth of experiences this course delivers. These valuable skills will open opportunities in the future, be that in the workplace, in education or outdoor pursuits.'
Mr Cafearo, CEO of Best Group International, said:
'As sponsors it is excellent to hear about how successful this programme continues to be, including this recent residential trip to the Lake District. The young people are building their confidence and broadening their skills. Well done.'
All the participants said they had learned something about themselves, overcome personal obstacles and enjoyed the experience.
Breeshey Bond said:
'It was a great opportunity to take the skills we had acquired on the Isle of Man and apply them in a different, and at times more challenging, environment.'
Thomas Walmsley commented:
'I got to try my hand at two entirely new experiences; scrambling up rock faces and river canoeing. It was far more intense than I expected, but trying to navigate the rapids is something I'd definitely love to do again.'
The course in Understanding Outdoor Education will enable the assistant instructors to link outdoor education skills with the school curriculum, gain national governing body awards for some segments of the training, and to deliver adventure and education sessions for young people.
A full list of what is on offer is available via www.ardwhallan.im or via the Facebook group ‘Ardwhallan Outdoor Education Centre’.
