Unit 29 – principles and practices in outdoor activities Assignment 1 – Influences on and benefits of outdoor adventurous activities Sophie McDonald

Describe & explain the influence of 3 different factors on the development of outdoor activities

Lord Baden powell Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell. He served with the army, working his way up to Major-General. Wrote around 32 books including ‘Scouting for Boys’. He received various awards over the years. He believed everyone deserves the opportunity to be open to the outdoors. ‘Try and leave this world a little better than you found it’ – Baden Powell His full name is Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell, but reffered to as PB. After school, he joined the army where he specialised in map making. The way he both did this and taught this would have been a major part of developing outdoor travel for those who use it. He led a distinguished career visiting countries such as India, Afghanistan, Malta and various parts of Africa. The most well known event in his career was the defence of Mafeking against the boers in 1899, after which he became a Major-General at the age of only 43. When he returned in 1903 he had become a hero of his country, and to findout out that the small handbook he had written for soldiers ("Aids to Scouting") was being used by youth leaders and teachers all over the country to teach observation and woodcraft. He was impacting and changing the way scouting was done even when he wasn’t there doing it himself. He was a role model for both young and old who learnt from his books. In 1907, he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset to try out his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from private schools and some from working class homes, and took them camping under his leadership. This is looked back on as the starting point of the Scout Movement. "Scouting for Boys" was published in 1908. Sales of the book were tremendous, as boys formed themselves into Scout Patrols to try out ideas. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new and soon to be worldwide Movement. "Scouting for Boys" has since been translated into all of the major languages of the world. This is why he was so idolized to all generations, as he helped them learn that they should all be able to get outdoors and enjoy it and know exactly how to do so. He retired from the army in 1910 at 53, after King Edward VII suggested he served his country an alternative way by further developing scouting, and also its sister movement, Guiding. He spent more time directly on these two movements, building and shaping them into what they are today. With all his enthusiasm and energy now directed to the development of Boy Scouting and Girl Guiding, he travelled to all parts of the world, to encourage growth and give inspiration. He funded these travels with the profit made from the sales of the 32 books he had written, as he didn’t get paid as chief scout. Over the years he recieved various honorary degrees and the freedom of a number of cities. This was along with 19 scout awards, and 28 foreign orders and decorations. He died at the age of 83, and is remembered every founders day. The first World Scout Jamboree took place at Olympia, London in 1920. At its closing scene B-P was unanimously acclaimed as Chief Scout of the World. At the third World Jamboree, the Prince of Wales announced that B-P would be given Peerage by H.M. the King. B-P took the title of Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell; Gilwell Park being the international training centre he had created for Scout leaders. B-P prepared a farewell message to his Scouts, for publication after his death in 1941. His advice of “try and leave this world a little better than you found it” which is just as relevant today and continues to inspire young people all over the world.

Bear grylls Born in the Isle of White, he was taught skills initially by his father. Spent 3 years in the British special forces. He reached the summit of mount Everest. Raised over $2.5million so children can get involved and active. He believes forging partnerships with schools is the way to bring kids more opportunities, and push them to embrace every aspect of adventure in their lives. ‘Scouting helps children embrace adventure – and succeed in life’ Bear Grylls was appointed the youngest ever chief scout. He has written 15 books. Bears adventure started in the Isle of White where he was born, where his father taught him to climb and sail. He was trained in martial arts from a young age, and spent 3 years in the british special forces. He was awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy and as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the notoriously tough Royal Marines Commandos. He went on to summiting mount Everest, after completing months of rehabilitation for previously breaking his back in 3 places in a parachuting accident. He has raised over 2.5million dollars for children worldwide, by expeditioning from Antarctica to the Arctic. Bear believes that forging partnerships with schools will help open up further opportunities to children and adolescents, although many are already well on their way with that. Bear Grylls is working in the legacy Baden Powell has left, by continuing as the youngest chief scout to over half a million scouts in the UK. He was awarded this honour is recognition of all of his expertise and service. He said in a quote ‘Taking part in an outdoor expedition frees the mind and liberates the spirit. It also reminds us of what we’re truly capable of achieving. That is why I believe that every child has the right to adventure. It is something I’ve seen tested time and time again in my five years as a chief scout.’ He has authored 15 books, 1 of which was voted chinas most influential book of 2012.

Duke of Edinburgh scheme A movement founded in 1956 Its participants age between 14 and 24. You can complete Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Delivered under special license by over 400 partners, which are licensed organizations. Anyone between the appropriate ages can sign up at their local DofE centre. The Duke of Edinburgh programme was founded in 1956 by the Duke of Edinburgh. They aim to create a world where young people can reach their full potential whatever their circumstances.  Our ethos is to give every young person of every background the oppertunity to do their DofE award, and succeed. They aim to develop the mind, body and soul in an environment of social interacting and teamworking. Individuals can take part if they are between the ages of 14 and 24. There are 3 stages to this program you can complete, Bronze silver and gold awards. It intails a personal programme of 4 activities, 5 if your doing your gold. These are skills, volunteering, expedition, physical and residential if your completing your gold award. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is delivered under special license by over 400 partners which are Licenced Organisations.  Their partners support nearly 11,000 Duke of Edinburgh centres including youth clubs, voluntary organisations, schools, colleges, Young Offenders Institutions and businesses in running these DofE programmes. Anyone between the appropriate ages can sign up at their local DofE centre. This could be found anywhere from your school, youth group, college or employer. http://www.dofe.org/en/content/cms/doing-your-dofe/getting-started/

Describe, explain and evaluate 4 benefits of participation in outdoor adventure Make friends Improve teamwork skills Increased self esteem Improve decision making skills An obvious benefit of partaking in outdoor adventurous activities is making friends. You meet new people you may not of got the chance to meet otherwise, and who are all in the same situation. This is a quick way to get to know people and build relationships with them. It is important to make an effort with building relationships with the people you are with, as you need to be able to easily communicate in case of any problems or injuries that arise in the group. Being able to react quickly and efficiently could be the difference between a resolvable problem and a bigger issue. This then leads to an improvement in your teamwork skills, and how you work with these other people. If you are not good at working in a team then the most important thing you can do is work on that, and the best way to do so is being put in a situation where you have to take other peoples views and opinions into account, for example while pitching a tent or starting a camp fire. Being able to work effectively as a team is vital when your out in the wild on your adventure, as it can be unpredictable and therefor things can go from right to wrong in a number of minutes. For example if your walking next to a rough river, you must all be able to communicate in a way that means you know where everyone is and the best ways to keep you all safe from falling in, and also how you would quickly react if the worst was to happen. These new friends and improved teamwork skills will overall impact your self esteem for the better. You will feel a valued member of your team or group, as you are learning yourself how to treat others the same. This rubs off on everyone, meaning you all feel good and happy with the way your group is working. This is a very good thing, as it means there is a positive happy energy within the group making your trip more enjoyable and fun for all of those involved. This increase in self esteem will then lead on to positively impact your decision making skills, as you will feel more confident to project your opinions, and be confident that they will be heard. If you value others views and decisions they will be sure to value and listen to yours, as by this point you are more than likely to be confident in what you are talking and giving instructions about. It is very important to be able to make decisions when you are a part of a group, as your voice is just as important as everyone elses. Everyones opinions are valid and will be appreciated, whether its exactly the right decision or not. If you give an input you are allowing the group to process what you’ve said as a team and make a decision together.

D1 – evaluate the influence of 3 different factors on the development of outdoor adventure Baden Powell Bear Grylls Duke of Edinburgh award Baden Powell was a great man, who impacted the way we see outdoor adventure. He was one of the first to influence the development of outdoor activity, through the books he wrote, and the time he set aside to develop the world of Scouting and Guiding. The amount of interest he initially pulled in from children and adolescents to join these two movements was massive, and actually resulted in him retiring from the army to help spend time organising and building these movements further. For these reasons alone he is still to this day the Chief scout master, and is remembered for everything he has done for the outdoor adventurous community every year on founders day. Some would say bear Grylls is a modern day Baden Powell, in the sense that he has made an effort to continue with the base layer of outdoor activity he has already built. He himself being a the youngest appointed chief scout, has a responsibility to continue educating those in the scouting community. He does so through the books he has written, and numerous television shows he has presented, both of himself and getting others involved. By televising what he does, it inspires others and makes them aware of how easy and enjoyable it can be, and also displays the challenging side, because it is a challenge! He portrays the essence of outdoor adventure, and by doing tv shows getting celebrities involved it makes it clear to the public anyone can do it if they set their mind to it! He believes everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the outdoors, and he is showing that in a modern day way by televising it. Lastly the Duke of Edinburgh award has influenced the way outdoor adventure is seen and done forever. It incorporates every basic aspect of outdoor adventure into 1 well designed, organised and led programme for a select age range of people. It is led by those who are qualified themselves, and teaches those involved all the skills needed to survive in the wild. The different stages of the award of course teaching you different skills, and each more challenging than the last so of course you learn as much as you put yourself through. Without this award, people may still be able to learn these skills in smaller groups or in different ways, but the beauty of this programme is how efficiently is can get young people involved and teach them what they need to know. It is as easy as talking to someone at your place of work, your school, college or local youth centre.