INFLUENCES ON AND BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES By Chris Tyler

INDIVIDUALS, BODIES AND MOVEMENTS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

LORD BADEN-POWELL

WHAT HE HAS DONE Baden-Powell was born in London on 22 nd February BP preferred the outdoors to the classroom and spent most of his time sketching wildlife in the woods around his school. After school he went into the army and had a distinguished career becoming a Major-General at the age of 43 BP retired from the army in 1910 at the age of 53, on the advice of King Edward VII, who suggested he could provide more valuable service to his country by developing Scouting and its sister movement, Guiding. He rewrote ‘Aids to Scouting’ originally intended for soldiers, this time for a younger audience.

In 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset to try out his ideas. he brought together 22 boys from different social classes and took them camping under his leadership This was considered the starting point of the Scout Movement. Today Scouting is the UKs largest co-educational youth movement with a membership of over young people and adult leaders. The Scout Association helps children and young adults to reach their full potential. Scouts develop skills including teamwork, time management, leadership, initiative, planning, communication, self-motivation, cultural awareness and commitment.

OUTWARD BOUND Outward Bound (OB) is an international, non-profit, independent and outdoor- education organisation with approx. 40 schools around the world and participants per year. OB programs aim to foster the personal growth and social skills of participants by using challenging expeditions in the outdoors. The Blue Peter nautical flag indicates that a vessel is ‘outward bound’. Outward Bound schools use and raise this flag to symbolise the journey starting for OB students at the start of a program.

HISTORY The first OB school was opened in Aberdovey, Wales in 1941 by Kurt Hahn and Laurence Halt with the support of the blue funnel line. OB grew out of Hahn's work in the development of the Gordonstoun school and what is how know as the DofE award. The founding mission was to give young seamen the ability to survive harsh conditions at sea by teaching confidence, tenacity, perseverance and to build experience of harsh conditions. From the start of OB, community service was an important part of the program, especially in the areas of sea and mountain areas. The first OB program for females was in 1951.

TODAY Outward bound teaches interpersonal skills, wilderness survival skills and leadership skills through its courses. The OB Trust is an educational charity that uses the outdoors to help develop young people from all walks of life.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDS SCHEME

HISTORY The DofE award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, with Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist. Both were concerned that young peoples development was lacking in certain key areas and they resolved to create a program that would be a ‘do-it-yourself kit’ in the art of civilized living. It was an instant success and the award has been growing and expanding worldwide ever since.

THE AWARDS The awards are done at three levels Bronze, Silver and Gold. You achieve your award by completing a personal program of activities in four sections – volunteering, physical, skills and expedition all for a certain period of time. The impact of the awards are:  Improved educational attainment  Improved employability  Improved health and wellbeing  Increased participation in the community  Increased awareness of the environment

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE  Self Esteem  Environmental Awareness  Risk Taking  Team Building

SELF ESTEEM Self esteem is a persons opinion of their self worth. Outdoor activities provide valuable alternative, often non-competitive, avenues for achievement as well as opportunities to develop independence and self reliance. Through successfully facing up to the challenges which outdoor activities provide, overcoming fears and apprehensions along the way, young people make major strides in confidence, with implication for all aspects of their development. The gain in self esteem will help the person with all aspects of their life e.g. education, careers and family.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS Active learning and adventure outdoors introduces young people to the environment in a way which develops: understanding, appreciation, awe, wonder and respect. Respect Awe Appreciation It fosters sensitivity to the environment, helps young people to see themselves in a global context and helps to develop citizens with an awareness of the need for sustainable use of the worlds natural resources

RISK TAKING Much outdoor learning takes place with very low levels of risk but, on occasion risk may be at a more significant level. It's desirable to balance risks and benefits in any experience to ensure that actions are proportionate and reasonable. Teaching young people to manage risks by themselves and take sensible decisions makes them safer. Adventure activities such as rock climbing, sailing and canoeing are an ideal way of doing this

TEAM BUILDING Team building is the use of different types of team activities that are aimed at enhancing relationships and clarifying team members roles, as well as solving task and interpersonal problems that affect team functioning. Outdoor activities can be used to build a team by setting goals, working out roles (leaders or team players), problem solving and building effective working relationships. Children who learn to become team players will find this of benefit in their future careers