[1]

Residential Programme at Strathcona Outdoor Centre

An integral component of the school programmes at Strathcona is the ‘Out-trip’. In this case a 3 day 2 nights mini expedition with double sea kayaks. Camping with tarps and cooking on open fires. On a small island (Rainbow Island) in Lake Buttle, minimum impact lessons were strongly reinforced.

April 2012 - Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship

OUTDOOR EDUCATIONCanadian models for outdoor learning in a residential environment.

Introduction

The following report details the experiences and learning outcomes from a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to Vancouver Island, Canada. Five outdoor education centres were visited, all very different, Each of them had elements of their programmes, operational procedures, management, centre facilities and outdoor equipment which could be adapted and used at The Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre, South Ayrshire, Scotland.

Through out this report the text boxes describe the elements, which could be developed back in Scotland. I have written the report like this so that the Canadian experiences of the scholarship have a logical link regards the outdoor context to The Dolphin House.

Also within the boxes it will say at the beginning whether it is a short, medium or long-term development opportunity at the Dolphin House. This attaches a time frame to the development aims post scholarship, therefore enhancing the impact of the learning and experiences gained while in Canada.

The six locations where I conducted research into outdoor education on Vancouver Island are listed also in the order I visited each resource;

@ Vancouver Island Mountain Centre.@ Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre.@ Hooksum Outdoor School.@ Hesquiat School of Learning.@ Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre.@ Horne Lake Outdoor Education Centre.

VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADANeil Smith - Author / Outdoor Instructor, Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre,

Culzean, Scotland.

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External Influences to scholarship experience:

Some of the aims of the fellowship were to research the links between the curriculum and outdoor education in Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and relate this back to the new Scottish Curriculum for Excellence with its embedded outdoor learning elements.

Since Spring 2011 the British Columbian teachers have been on strike, working to rule, with no extra curricular activities being delivered to the students. This has had a significant impact on outdoor education centres through out the Province. The Vancouver Island centres are no exception, while visiting each outdoor centre the story was the same – ‘…..significant financial losses resulting from groups cancelling bookings or not bookings during normally busy periods….’

The group that I shadowed while at Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre were an out of Province secondary school from Schatoon, Schachawan and were therefore not experiencing the same teacher strikes. The other school I shadowed while at Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre, was a local private girls school called Queen Margaret, and again were not influenced by the strike.

Back-to-work legislation was passed by the British Columbian Government, and a tentative agreement was reached in June 2012, allowing teachers to resume full teaching commitments.

The outdoor education centres which i visited were either private concerns or charitable not-for-profit organisations. There were no Local Authority run outdoor centres like the Dolphin House.

A number of key learning outcomes/reflections about The Dolphin House and our relationship with visiting schools and staff include;

The commitment of visiting staff to be on a residential for a week with children is significant and should i think be recognized by officially

logged ‘Outdoor Learning - CPD hours’. At Dolphin House it tends to be the same teachers that return each year, and not always the class teacher.

The experience is significantly enhanced by class teachers presence and participation during the week.

The Dolphin House Outdoor Centre is a key resource within South Ayrshire Council for outdoor learning development and delivery to both students and teachers.

The Scottish Curriculum for Excellence teaching commitment to ‘Outdoor Learning‘ within the curriculum recognises the significant benefits of outdoor education. In-Service training of teachers is key for this cultural shift and also developing practical ‘Outdoor learning‘ opportunities along with the UWS (University of West of Scotland) within the teacher training courses based in Ayr. The Dolphin House again with its base in Culzean Country Park is a key resource.

Note: The term

‘residential’ in this report should not be confused with First

Nations residential schools.

[3]

OUTDOOR EDUCATION: PHILOSOPHY / ETHOS OF RESIDENTIAL CENTRES.

The Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre, is situated within NTS (National Trust for Scotland), Culzean Country Park, which has strong nature & building conservation ethics at its core.

Dolphin House Outdoor

Centre: Doonfoot Primary, 2012

Summit of Mochrum Hill

The Strathcona Circle:

! More with Less. ! Stewardship. ! Challenge by

Choice. ! Living on the

Edge. ! Generosity of

Spirit.! Happy Warrior

Short Term Development Objective: The Dolphin House Mission Statement and Vision Statement.

The Dolphin House Outdoor Education is a relatively young local authority outdoor education centre having had its 10th birthday on May 2011. There is a 20 year contract with the National Trust for Scotland, and so it is half way through its contractual life. The Dolphin House has always had a very strong positive ethos with the visiting children and staff. The ‘family feel’ and the friendly team all help foster a secure environment where school children can relax and learn while being away from home.

This strong ethos and spirit has never been captured in ‘black and white’, it is a very difficult thing to actually do. While visiting Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre it was noticeable that there was a similar feel at that centre and with the groups that visited. Strathcona is the oldest outdoor education centre in Canada, and has a very strong heritage (Survival –

Strathcona style). The Strathcona Circle and six core values are described to each group at the beginning of their stay. The Dolphin House could benefit from a similar mission statement, but with guiding principles and values pertinent to the Dolphin House and the local environment of South West Scotland.

This is actually a very important element that has never been developed at Dolphin House. When in place, it will give a solid vision, which can be used for any future development direction or environmental learning and guidance with visiting groups. It is intended to use a local artist (Merlin Currie) to produce some artwork around the Dolphin House circle and guiding principles. Circles are key elements in natural cycles and also in group dynamics, the circle theme runs through-out Dolphin House residential weeks with visiting children. The guiding principles will be constructed with consultation with the Dolphin House staff team, and possibly visiting groups.

Strathcona’s Mission is:

‘To teach the wonder, spirit and worth of people and the natural world through outdoor

pursuits.’

[4]

Vancouver Island Mountain Centre,

( Open Spring 2012 )

OUTDOOR RESOURCES / FACILITIES

Medium Term Development Objective: The Dolphin House drying room /sauna and drying rack.

The Dolphin House started delivering its own water based activities during summer 2010, after developing staff qualifications, procedures, and acquiring suitable water sports equipment. This has been an excellent development for the centre, however one very important outdoor resource for a centre is a drying room and this is missing at the Dolphin House.

The limited space on campus for storage can impact on operations; issues can arise when weather conditions, and multiple groups in one week result in wetsuits, wet boots, buoyancy aids not being dry for new groups. The outdoor drying rack at Strathcona, is very simple and effective and also provides shelter from the rain. This type of structure could easily be constructed and used at Dolphin House, and be used to air dry equipment and provide some shelter. Also the super efficient drying room at the new Vancouver Island

Mountain Centre, highlighted to me the importance of an efficient de-humidifier. This room also doubled up as an area for waxing snowboards and skis, and therefore was used to extract fumes.

Other factors which I have considered include the Strathcona sauna, which provides a very useful resource for groups to use and heat up after cold water immersion / canoe & kayak capsize drills. This could also be developed at the Dolphin House. My proposal would be to develop a combined; drying room / sauna hut. Used dominantly for drying equipment through the summer period.

The other considerations in developing this objective are; - Energy /sustainability of running a drying room/ sauna - Fuel for stove to heat sauna (use rhododendron cut by groups during conservation tasks and John Muir Award at centre.

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ECO-CENTRE STATUS

The Dolphin House was originally the victorian laundry house for the Kenny family who owned Culzean Estate. Evidence of where the drying lines were hung outdoors can still be found around the campus. These days it is Geordie’s drying line for the wetsuits that can be found. A good sustainable alternative to air-drying would be very useful, especially when the centre is busy.

Dolphin House Drying Rack

Medium to Long Term Development Objective: Energy sustainability and education.

The Dolphin House in the past has had small scale alternative energy units, established as educational resources for the visiting groups. These included; a small hydroelectric scheme, solar panels and battery to power spot lights for bouldering wall, small solar panel and wind turbine to a battery unit that powers LED lights in the tipi, and S Cube for education.

One of the impressive elements of Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre is the fact they pride themselves as being ‘Off the Grid’ – completely sustainable with their own mini hydro-power station. Also as they are a private concerns their

environmental ethics also make good business sense.

The Dolphin House would be ideally suited to benefit from experimental wave power generation, and solar and wind power to contribute to the energy budget. The drying room / sauna objective could be combined with this development opportunity.

A drying room powered completely by alternative energy methods would be clearly educational and contribute to the Eco-Centre status and the environmental sustainability of the centre.

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DOUBLE’S PRO’S & CON’S

POSITIVES POSITIVES NEGATIVES

- Fewer boats to manage on the water.- Large volume storage in bulk-heads for trips.- Teamwork required while paddling.- Potential for kayak sailing greater / easier managed.

- Expedition photography / filming / science, easier with two paddlers per boat.- Faster average speeds over the water.- Cost less than buying two single sea-kayaks.

- Heavier boats for rescues.- Required special training / co-ordination to role doubles.- Greater wind-age on the bigger boats / harder to manoeuvre.

DOUBLE SEA - KAYAKS EXPEDITIONS / ‘OUT-TRIPS’

Medium Term Development Objective: Develop sea kayaking opportunities, purchase double sea kayaks for the centre/ expeditions & training.

The specialist sea kayaking equipment store, in Ayrshire, Scotland (Kari-tek) have in the past provided equipment and advice on anything to do with kayaking. Also the unique purpose built trailers they have provided for the outdoor centre have been particularly useful. After experiencing an ‘out trip’ with teenagers at Strathcona, using double sea-kayaks to travel on the lake during a three day/ two night expedition, the value of

double sea-kayaks for trips like this was very apparent.

When funding is available to purchase new equipment, I would recommend purchasing

double kayaks for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and kayak training based at the Dolphin House. These boats would also be very useful for Ranger Service based interpretation ‘sea-safari’ trips with visitors to Culzean Country Park. The benefits

and draw-backs of double’s over single kayaks are listed below;

Expedition modes of

transport .

‘PPPPP’ - Planning

Preparation, Provisions , Packing

& Paddling.

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‘SLEEP OUTS’ TEAMWORK INDEPENDANCE PLANNING FUN

Supporting each other, and helping co-operatively , so they all benefit through experiential outdoor learning.

For some of the young people that visit The Dolphin House, it is their first time away from home, an overnighter in a tipi would be a whole new experience.

To make life easier and sleep better requires some planning ie. insulation / sleeping bags / orientation etc

Sleep-Outs’ with class mates / peers during a residential visit can be challenging and fun.

DOLPHIN HOUSE TIPI ‘OVER NIGHTERS’

Short Term Development Objective: Dolphin House Tipi used for sleep ‘outs’ on campus.

While visiting Horne Lake Caves Provisional Park, I observed the residential groups accommodation for the weekend were tipi’s. Four tipi’s provided enough shelter and space for the whole group and visiting staff. Dolphin House has had a tipi on the campus now for 6 years (2 different tipi’s), it is used on a daily basis for briefing groups, shelter from weather, and as a social area for the visiting students. The first tipi had LED lights powered by a small solar panel and

wind turbine. No visiting groups have ever, done an overnight in the Dolphin House tipi.

It is proposed to develop the use of the Dolphin House tipi as an overnighter option with the groups that are staying. The tipi could accommodate an activity group for one night of their stay. Activity groups are generally between 7-10 students, which would fit into the tipi. Dolphin House members of staff would have to camp next to the tipi for that overnight, and roll-mat insulation and sleeping bags for the group would need to be purchased.

This could also be developed / used for weekend groups at Dolphin House.

Horne Lake Provisional Park -

Tipi accommodation.

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Not-for Profit Outdoor

centre on Hornby Island

RECYCLING AT RESIDENTIAL CENTRES

Medium Term Development Objective: Organic recycling.

The Dolphin House recycles cardboard, some plastics, and glass at present. After visiting Tribune Bay outdoor Education Centre, I was very impressed with their attention to detail for recycling. This originates from the pride for recycling that the island community of Hornby engender. There is an excellent recycling facility on Hornby Island, and the first ‘free store’, it has a very hippy feel and has a proud tradition of recycling.

After visiting Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre, and shadowing a visiting group, it made me more aware of

the quantity of organic waste that the Dolphin House generates both in the kitchen and also in the hall with food scraps after meals.

The low cost development objective would be to recycle organic waste excluding (meats, and dairy produce).

The higher cost alternative would be an anaerobic digester, which would recycle all organic waste.

This particular development opportunity would tie nicely in with the Dolphin House gaining an Eco-Centre status.

[9]

‘Strathcona Cookies’2 cups oil

} caramalize together2 cup butter8 cups of sugar8 eggs7 cups of flour12 cups of oats2 cups of raisins / choc chips4 tbs vanilla2 tsp salt2 tsp baking sodaall spice & cinnamon 350 F 15-20 mins.

A useful addition to Dolphin House would be a dinner bell, to ring at the front door. A brass ship bell would be the best option. Strathcona had a ships bell on campus.

CATERING AT RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR CENTRES

Short Term Development Objective: Additional healthy recipes for the Dolphin House kitchen.

The Dolphin House kitchen provides quality and quantity food for visiting groups at the centre and recently was awarded a ‘Healthy Eating’ certificate. The catering manager (Julie) balances the various choices on the menu with the needs of the diverse groups that visit the Dolphin House, this can be challenging with the younger pallets that visit and regularly has to adapt to ‘fussy’ kids.

The catering service at Strathcona was similar to Dolphin House, providing an excellent quality of service and also a great pride in their catering, it was very notable that all catering staff were themselves outdoor enthusiasts, going

climbing and canoeing, during dead times between meals. This is also similar to Dolphin House with Julie being a cycle sports enthusiast. This is a healthy culture to adopt or promote at outdoor centres.

While at Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre I was lucky enough to be given the recipe for; ‘Starthcona Cookies’, and ‘Strathcona Granola’. I hope to introduce these to the Dolphin House

kitchen along with Julies help. At the heart of all good outdoor centres and resources is, the ‘kitchen’ and the quality of the food after a healthy days activities. This small addition will add a small flavour of Canada to the centre.

Healthy Eating Award at

The Dolphin House 2011

Meal time at The

Dolphin House

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PADDLE-SPORTS MANAGEMENT

The Dolphin House Outdoor Centre is very fortunate to have excellent coastal water resources close by the centre, but these also require very careful management because of the variable nature of tide, weather and group.The diverse range of boats also adds to the watersports experience (sea-kayaks, inflatable kayaks, white water rafts, canadian canoes, glass-bottomed boats).

Safe Zones / Introductory

Paddle Sessions

Medium to Long Term Development Objective: Safe zone / protection, kayak training / introductory paddling sessions.

While visiting Strathcona Outdoor Centre, part of the programme before venturing on ‘Out Trip’ was to do a rescue / capsize drill. There was a safe / sheltered zone marked out by log booms chained together. They break any wind-generated waves coming across the lake. This provided protection and security for an introduction session. This combined with a sauna to go into after kayak capsize training in cold lake water, made the usual capsize drill more pleasant and fun.

As Dolphin House is exposed to coastal conditions from the Firth of Clyde, sometimes it does not suit to do paddle-sports because of tide, swell, wind, weather or a combination.

If there was a portable boom system which could be deployed when an introductory session was taking place then this would allow, more security for group and instructors, if safety boat wasn’t available or working, then an alternative would be possible with a boom system at Boat House Harbour or potentially Port Carrick bay, which is a sheltered sandy bay with some natural protection.

The permanent boom system at Strathcona was large Douglas fir logs chained together with a small access point big enough for kayaks and open canoe to paddle in or out.

The Dolphin House would have to develop a portable system, which could be deployed and taken in without to much effort. A strong Autumn or winter storm would otherwise damage a permanent boom system.

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Cooking on Open FiresDuring the ‘Out trip’ the students were responsible for organising and cooking their own meals. There was no meat cooked due to black bear and cougar hazard. This was much better than dehydrated ration packs, and also considerably more learning involved.

RAINBOW ISLAND - LOW IMPACT CAMPING / MANAGED WILD CAMP & FIRE SITES

Short to Medium Term Development Objective: Fire programme / fire circle / fire pit.

Before going on the ‘Out Trip’ at Strathcona, the group have a fire programme with games and also group chat about the kayaking trip. This is key training as on the out trip the young students cook on an open fires, and must learn to respect and how to manage an open fire.

The small coves along the coast at The Dolphin House are perfect sheltered areas to have a managed fire circle / pit – for evening programmes with groups. The material that is cut down while doing the conservation project (Rhododendron bashing), could be stacked, seasoned and used for fire classes / programmes when the weather permits. A contained unit for the fire would be useful for management. A steel circle containment pit would be ideal for this with more natural features as seating at the fire site.

A fire circle provides a natural way of introducing the ‘ Vision Statement’ - environmental and outdoor ethics, and also group games.

While visiting Tribune Bay Outdoor Centre, fire programmes were also used in the

evening for fun, and reflection on learning experiences.

Horne Lake Caves Provisional Park, and Hooksum Outdoor School also have fire programmes as key parts of their residential experience.

Dolphin House staff have run fire programmes during hillwalking days and conservation tasks in the Country Park. But no formal fire site exists at present, i think this is important from a resource management point of view. The expertise and knowledge of Kenny Dunlop (Instructor), could also develop and run In-Service training for teachers & educators in the future.

Fire Programmes /

Education

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TOTE

M P

OLES

Important First Nations symbol -

The Totem Pole made from Western Red

Cedar.

Medium Term Development Objective: Establish a Dolphin House Totem Pole.

The Dolphin House has adopted a Native American / First Nation theme, with the Tipi, and ‘Trail End’ room in the bunkhouse with posters of first nations chiefs.

Totem Poles are very strong symbols of native people’s connection to the natural world. Culzean Country Park’s adopted animal emblem is ‘The Grey Heron’ – which would naturally be an excellent choice of species for the top of the ‘Dolphin House Totem

Pole’. There are many other species connected with Culzean, which could form part of the totem. (Herald Moth, Roe Deer, Barn Owl, Fulmar, Common Lizard, Great Crested Newt, Burnett Moth, Hermit Crab, Basking Sharks, Common Porpoise, Common Starfish, Mute Swan, Chiff-Chaff, Dragonflies.....).

A suitable site, timber for the Totem Pole, and a wood carver would have to be found. Visiting groups could contribute to the artwork, and design of the totem pole.

[13]

BEL (Basic Expedition Leader) Course - Sports Leader UK.The Dolphin House Outdoor Centre, is a registered centre for delivering this Level 3 certified course already, although instructors on site no long deliver the award. This award combined with other training could provide part of a new leadership award or trainee instructor scheme at The Dolphin House.

OUTDOOR & ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Excellent in-house developed training

courses for instructors - ‘Horizontal Cave Guide

Training’

Long Term Development Objective: Dolphin House Churchill - Outdoor Leadership Award as a recognized NVQ qualification.

National Governing Body qualifications are benchmark qualifications at all outdoor education centres. These establish a level of competence to deliver various outdoor activities in a safe manor, with an acceptable and legal duty of care to the clients taking part. Most NGB qualifications are under-pinned by experience gained in the field and suitable logbooks, which are usually submitted as part of the assessment process. The experience in the field in both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ technical skills are essential in developing professional outdoor educators. Any attempt to short-cut, the experiential learning phase of outdoor instructors personal development in my option could led to poor judgement in key situations, potentially leading to incidents.

The COLT (Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training) is a course which is offered at Strathcona for outdoor instructors. It provides an intensive 90 day practical leadership award where participants gain extensive skill based training in a range of outdoor activities. It is also a recognized vocational qualification.

The COLT programme has been running since 1977 and was setup initially to train outdoor instructors to a very high standard in all the outdoor disiplines that

surround Strathcona Provisional Park (the 1st Provisional Park on Vancouver Island). This type of outdoor leadership course has been used as a model for similar courses through-out Canada.

While at Horne Lake Cave Provisional Park, i took part in their intensive 5 days ‘Horizontal Cave Guide training’ course. This course was developed in-house and delivers a site specific training on cave interpretation, cave conservation, cave safety, operating procedures and policies. There was a 2 hours written exam at the end of the course, and a practical assessment.

The quality of these in-house developed courses reflect the staff and management at these sites who have extensive practical experience and knowledge in the outdoors.

The Dolphin House could develop a tailored course for aspirant outdoor instructors. The strength of The Dolphin House is the environmental education which underpins every outdoor activity / setting. Environmental interpretation and education would be a key part of any new vocational qualification.

It could also be developed as an outdoor learning CPD for teachers / educators, as there is a growing demand for teachers to develop their outdoor teaching skills, in line with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.

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CLIMBING TOWER

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Tribune Bay Outdoor Centre; Climbing Tower

Design.

Long Term Development Objective: Construct a low cost climbing tower made from recycled materials.

The climbing tower at Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre is an excellent resource which is used by visiting school groups during their residential stay at the centre.

Much of the tower was constructed using material left over from a visiting fair on Hornby Island where the centre is located. Telegraph poles form the main structure, the three sides are clad with exterior plywood and texture coated then climbing holds fixed in place.

The bottom of the tower can only be accessed for climbing by lowering a cargo net. This is very important for public liability issues, as the centre lies in a Provisional Park which has public access. The cargo net can be lowered by instructors when they are working with groups.

The inside of the climbing tower is accessible by a locked door, and steps up three levels to the ‘crows nest’ area at the top. Instructors or group members

are protected by prusock loops during accent or decent.

Rather ironically Culzean Country Park had a similar structure, which was used to access the old ‘tree-top walkway’, the walkway part was closed to visiting groups and Ranger Service use ~ 2002. The stair access in this case was open, but formed a similar triangular structure. This ‘tree-top tower’ had remained in a state of disrepair for years. On return from the scholarship, i found the whole structure had been removed without repair or replacement.

The Scout Association campsite at the entrance to Culzean Country Park, The Dolphin House Outdoor Education Centre, and the Culzean Ranger Service could all jointly benefit from a fixed climbing tower of this design. Low cost recycled materials built to a high specification using Tribune Bay Outdoor Centre designs, and officially approved by High Access Safety Inspection from Glasgow Climbing Centre.

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Long Term Development Objective: Develop high adventure course & tree climbing.

Under the term ‘High Adventure Courses’ i have included the following activities; High Ropes course, Jacobs ladder, Tree climb, Leap of faith, zip-line.

Both Strathcona and Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centres had a range of these high adventure courses. They provide an excellent focused adventurous activity for the students visiting each centre. The ‘leap of faith’ at Tribune Bay forming the last activity of the week, which is arguably the hardest challenge, and a real confidence booster.

The diverse range of groups that visit The Dolphin House include specific team building days for secondary students. The campus based team games are relevant, but specific high adventure challenges to develop their team building skills would hugely enhance the experience. After having observed how the high adventure elements contribute to the personal development of students i would propose developing high adventure courses within Culzean Country Park, with consultation

with the Ranger Service, and the Scout Association.

Tree climbing was a high adventure activity at Strathcona which i was particularly impressed with, due to the simplicity of the whole setup and relatively in-expensive costs, with hugh benefits. The Douglas Fir which was climbed formed a natural part of the environment on Vancouver Island.

Culzean Country Park, has some amazing specimen trees from all over the world. There are many locations which are away from the ‘Honey-pot‘ areas of the park,

which could be developed for ‘high adventure’ education courses. Ian Cornilus (Head Forester), Culzean Country Park - would be a key person in the development and safety management of such a proposal.

Professional training courses which would allow Dolphin House instructors to deliver sessions on ‘High Adventure Courses’ include; SPA (Single Pitch Award), CWA (Climbing Wall Award), tree climbing and high access courses plus site specific training.

Educational value in ‘High

Adventure’ Courses.

HIGH ROPES COURSE & OTHER HIGH ADVENTURE EXPERIENCES

[16]

Key: Simple / safe / clear

instructional guidance during

activities.

SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Short, Medium & Long Term Development Objective: Develop and evolve safety management systems as more technical outdoor activities are introduced at The Dolphin House.

A very simple system at Strathcona for keeping track of technical climbing and high adventure equipment (ropes, slings) which had been retired because of age or wear and tear, is to take a sample tagged to the equipment store door after equipment had been retired. Different colours / styles are used each time the equipment is renewed.

This practice is important in a centre like Strathcona with a large and transient instructor staff and large numbers of visiting schools. The Dolphin House’s small scale, and established instructor base give it an advantage with safety management and communication.

Shadowing of trained instructors is also a common practice, through the induction process. Allowing new staff to observe, learn and then develop their own style in a safe manor.

The Dolphin House at present has no induction process/ training in place. Any sessional / supply /instructor staff should be allowed time to shadow established /trained instructors in the various activities delivered until they feel confident in delivery or assisting an activity.

A formal induction folder with tick-box style list of in-house training, policies & procedures. This is a fair system for new instructors and also helps full-time staff. It also maintains a quality assurance of both; quality of the ‘Outdoor & environmental learning’ and the health & safety procedures.

The Dolphin House is a young outdoor education centre, and as the range of adventurous activity expands then the safety management systems must evolve with it. A key to this is continual outdoor equipment maintenance and monitoring, and instructional staff CPD to maintain professional qualifications.

[17]

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Pacific salmon in the

classroom project.

Short, Medium & Long Term Development Objective: Maintain the Dolphin House’s ‘Outdoor learning & Environmental Learning’ foundations.

Some of the learning philosophies observed and discussed around the first nation reserve and new school at Hesquiat School, and Hooksum Outdoor School are quite unique and very interesting.

I was fortunate to spend a day with Steve & Karen Charleson, at the Hesquiaht First Nations reserve on the remote west coast of Vancouver Island.

Much of the outdoor learning philosophie’s developed at Hooksum are based on traditional native beliefs. They try not to challenge themselves against nature, but live with it.

The following notes were taken during an interview with the Charleson’s:

‘visualisation’ of there home, then adapt to surrounding to feel

comfortable in the environmentexpand- start small and get biggerlearn to relax and calm down, take things at a slower pass‘sinking into the land’4-5 days enough time to develop that feelingmonth long course in canoe building from scratch during marchCanoe journeys every year in BC; tribal journeys

Mind sett, normal part of life not a challenge from the norm

Respecting people, and removing anger

Singing’ / dancing / weaving beads – peoples perspective of native aboriginal peoples. Hooksum more than that it’s a way of life.

I also spent time in the excellent new school in the village, where the children should be their young Pacific salmon that they were rearing. Very similar to the ‘Salmon in the Classroom’ projects in South Ayrshire schools.

[18]

Natural Playscapes Creating Outdoor Play Environments for Children [Paperback]Rusty Keeler (Author)

Rediscovery: Ancient Pathways/New Directions - Outdoor Activities Based on Native Traditions by Thom Henley and et al. (11 Jul 1996)

Bushcraft: A Serious Guide to Survival and Camping [Paperback]Richard Graves (Author)

Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long-Distance Touring [Paperback]John Dowd (Author)

Useful Outdoor Publications found during Scholarship:

[19]

Julia Weston - Fellowship Manager, WCMT.

Jamie Balfour - Director General, WCMT.

Andrew Scherck - Manager, Vancouver Island Mountain Centre.

Paul Chatterton - Operation Manger, Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre.

Jamie Boulding - Director, Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre.

Nia Evans - Instructor, Strathcona.

Mat McClelland - Instructor, Strathcona.

Lee Lovegrove, Teacher, Holy Cross School.

Wes Deptuch - Teacher Holy Cross School.

Daniela Petosa - Ceramic Teacher.

Carly Ceibel - Teacher, Hesquiat School.

Rebecca Hurwitz - Managing Director, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.

Gord & Allison Campbell - Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre.

Dylan Smith - Instructor, Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre.

Ian Graboski - Instructor, Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre.

Angela Anderson- Teacher, Queen Margaret School.

Carly Morris- Teacher, Queen Margaret School.

Graeme Campbell - Teacher, Queen Margaret School .

Lee White - Operations Manager, Horne Lake Caves Outdoor Centre. Richard Varela - Managing Director, Horne Lake Caves Outdoor Centre.

Special thanks to the following people...