English Outdoor Council

Aims

The EOC is an umbrella body representing all the major associations within the outdoor industry in England. It predominantly focuses its attention on young people’s provision, but does lobby on behalf of all ages. It aims to bring a united voice to government on key issues impacting the industry and to encourage more people to benefit from the outdoors. Its current business plan aims are:

1. To lobby for outdoor learning to be embedded within the formal school curriculum and to create an expectation that all young people, including those who could not afford to do so without financial support, should have a progressive range of outdoor learning experiences, including at least one residential experience.

2. To enhance and develop the profile of EOC in the public domain through improved communication.

3. To disseminate the advantage of a balanced view of risks and benefits and to promote an adventurous approach to life.

4. To ensure that there is proportionate safety and quality assurance for outdoor activities.

5. To review societal trends to maintain a future focus and identify possible opportunities for the outdoor sector.

Specific actions for the year ahead to achieve those aims include:

• Mobilise a strong response to the National Curriculum consultation.
• Contribute to the work of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
• Explore the possibility of a review of outdoor education along the lines of the Music Review, to focus on long term development in the context of recent changes.
• Work with IOL a) to create a new APPG for outdoor learning b) to create a forum through which the voice of school users of outdoor learning can be heard.
• Promote innovation in curriculum delivery.
• Act as a forum for member organisations, bring together information from the various sectors and communicate best practice from all sectors.
• Each member agreed to write and disseminate (to external media) one good news story, including the impact of the outdoors on quality of life.
• Update the section on research on the EOC website.
• Continue to act as the parent body of the Campaign for Adventure and support its ongoing activity.
• Update and reprint the CfA literature.
• Run Outdoor Adventure Week on the pre-2010 pattern from May 1 to 8.
• Progress the risk/benefit debate to include developing a methodology, communicating to NAHT and other teacher unions, developing a module on risk/benefit for the NPQH and noting the link with entrepreneurial risk.
• Work with AAIAC to develop a proportionate and affordable way of monitoring compliance with the proposed code of practice.
• Work with CLOtC to maintain quality accreditation in the sector.
• Consider whether any action is needed to develop guidance for the recruitment, retention and development of volunteers in the outdoors.
• Research different models of provision, including community involvement, and write case studies of models of good practice.
• Get input on promoting the outdoors to the next generation of ethnic minorities.
• Consider whether to and, if so, how to map the range of outdoor provision across the age range, including non-school and voluntary provision.
• Continue to work in partnership with SkillsActive to ensure that opportunities
  and funding for training and development satisfy the sector’s needs.
• Challenge and respond to policy proposals and consultations.

Lobbying

Part of the role of the English Outdoor Council is to increase the profile and lobby for the outdoor industry. It seeks through government agencies, educational bodies, MP’s and a range of officials to make the case for the benefits of the outdoors for all ages but in particular for young people. Sometimes the Council or its members will speak up for a better balanced understanding between risk and safety.  Members of the Council have been closely involved in the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto.

If you have issues that you want raised with officials and Parliamentarians contact the Council or one of its constituent members.

Representing the industry

The outdoor industry is made up of a range of voices. One of the aims of the Council is to bring those groups together under one ‘umbrella’ in order to speak with a single voice to key groups. Whilst the Council only represents England, it has close ties with other bodies in the UK that have a similar role.

Safety

In the context that the government has decided to repeal the law on adventure activity licensing, the Council considers that Adventuremark is an excellent way for providers to demonstrate compliance with accepted safety standards.  Full details are at http://www.adventuremark.co.uk/.

What are the benefits of the outdoors?

Outdoor education, training and recreation promote active learning through direct personal experience and offer excitement, fun and adventure within a framework of safety

Active learning and adventure outdoors can take place in a variety of environments: rural and urban, local and more remote. Outdoor education, training and recreation involve both young people and adults in a wide range of experiences, including adventurous activities on land and water and activities with an environmental focus. Methods used include skills-focused learning, problem solving, team building and self-reliant journeys and activities, with residential experience an especially valued feature.

Challenging experience outdoors impacts powerfully upon a young person’s intellectual, physical, spiritual, social and moral development.

Use of the outdoors makes a major contribution to physical and environmental education and enhances many other curriculum areas. It contributes to personal growth and social awareness and develops skills for life and the world of work. Qualities such as a sense of responsibility and a purpose in life are nurtured. There is also a great deal of intrinsic enjoyment and satisfaction to be experienced from participation in outdoor activities.

Britain has a long tradition in the field of outdoor education, training and recreation, reflecting the strong place of exploration and adventure in the British heritage.

Exceptional accomplishments in exploration and adventure, on the sea, in the mountains and in the world of nature, feature strongly in our country’s history. Reflecting this heritage, Britain has led the way in the use of outdoor learning and adventure for the development of young people, for example, through the Scout and Guide movements, Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Building self-confidence and self-esteem is fundamental to any young person’s development.

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 implications for all aspects of their development.

A positive attitude to learning is essential if young people are to make the most of their education.

Participation in exciting and enjoyable outdoor activities with teachers, youth workers and peers reinforces a positive attitude to education and contributes significantly to the general ethos of a school or youth group. Direct experience out of doors stimulates and reinforces learning across many areas of the curriculum, and the use of the outdoors encourages young people to take greater responsibility for their own learning.

Awareness of the needs and contributions of others and the ability to sustain effective relationships, at work and in the family, are vital in today’s society.

Experience in the outdoors provides rich opportunities for personal and social development through carefully structured group work in challenging situations. Trust, care, tolerance and the willingness to give and accept support are all encouraged and anti-social behaviour is challenged. Opportunities are presented to exhibit and develop effective inter-personal behaviour and to work co-operatively and effectively in teams.

The purposeful use of leisure time is increasingly seen as making an important contribution to a fulfilling lifestyle.

Outdoor recreation introduces young people to a range of worthwhile leisure pursuits which will enrich their future lives, and develops the skills and knowledge essential for safe participation. Outdoor exercise contributes greatly to health and fitness and continuing participation in outdoor pursuits encourages the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle into middle age and beyond.

Our relationship with the environment is a key issue facing tomorrow’s citizens.

Active learning and adventure outdoors introduces young people to the environment in a way which develops understanding appreciation, awe, wonder and respect. 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 world’s natural resources.

Tomorrow’s successful citizens will possess the adaptability to cope with a rapidly changing world of work and the responsibility to be an effective member of a community.

Challenging outdoor experiences promote the development of communication, problem solving and decision making skills which have currency across a range of occupations. They encourage a positive “opting in” and “can do” attitude. Young people’s horizons are broadened, new challenges come to be relished rather than shunned, and perseverance and determination are reinforced. Values and attitudes developed in a context of shared endeavour help to form a sound basis for responsible citizenship.