Support for Threatened Outdoor Centres
Oct 02, 2020
Outdoor Centres Need Support #SaveYourOutdoorCentres
The Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) has joined with outdoor sports to help prevent the threat of closure of outdoor centres.
Back at the start of September, Scotland’s outdoor education sector has issued a call
to the Scottish Government to support outdoor residential centres or face losing them forever.
We have written to John Swinney MSP, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, urging him to provide support to outdoor centres which are at serious threat of closure due to the COVID-19
restrictions.
The letter is sent by Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, on behalf of the SCA and other outdoor governing bodies. Joining SCA in this plea to support the #SaveYourOutdoorCentres
campaign, are Developing, Mountain Biking in Scotland, Mountaineering Scotland, Ramblers Scotland, Scottish Archery, Scottish Curling, Scottish Cycling, Scottish Fencing, Scottish Orienteering, Snowsport Scotland and Royal Yachting Association Scotland.
The letter to Mr Swinney stresses the decades of invaluable life and learning experiences for children and young people provided by Scottish outdoor centres, and the effect their loss would have on a number of sports.
Each year over 100,000 young people are given the chance to try paddlesports, snowsports, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities.
Our outdoor centres are a resource which has been shown to help close the attainment gap and develop resilience, confidence and life skills in children, while improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The outdoor residential sector also supports thousands of jobs both directly within the sector but also in the rural economies where many are based. However, the closures are already starting, with the
closure Girlguiding Scotland’s centre – Nertherurd House. More will follow and shut down permanently before Christmas.
In the letter Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, said: “More than ever we need opportunities for future generations to learn to how to enjoy, appreciate and behave responsibly in the outdoors.
“Adventure tourism is also an important part of the Scottish economy, and these centres play a critical role in providing employment opportunities in some of the most rural parts of Scotland.”
Centres have already begun to close, and it is anticipated this will accelerate when the furlough scheme ends, with 50% of Scotland’s 36 Centres likely to close and half of their 600 employees at risk of redundancy.
And he warned: “Young people across Scotland will be denied the opportunity to access residential outdoor experiences that have been identified by MSPs as being so important for Scottish children and young people.”
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We are pleased to announce the second annual Student Safety & Leadership Weekend will take place October 11th-13th 2024 at Glenmore Lodge. Bookings open on Friday 17th May.
We are pleased to announce a new course date available to book for the BCAB Core Coach Training taking place online.
Mental Health First Aid Training - 20th May 2024 at Glenmore Lodge AWARD IN FIRST AID FOR MENTAL HEALTH AT SCQF LEVEL 5 (1 day course) We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to complete Mental Health First Aid Training at Glenmore Lodge Monday 20th May 0830 - 1730. This will be run by Noush Duffy and Mo Samson - two experienced paddlesport coaches, Mental Health First Aid trainers and part of the Paddle Scotland Equality Groups. This Paddle Scotland course is being offered at the subsidised rate of £75 (inc. lunch and refreshments for the day). Bookings close 11 May (this has been extended) . Sunday evening accommodation at Glenmore Lodge is also available to book via the link below. We are passionate about supporting paddlesport coaches to increase knowledge in this area so you can better support the people you work with. We'd love it if you could attend. Login to JustGo Then click here to book This forms part of our longer term strategy to increase Mental Health knowledge and awareness within our coaches and leaders and will be the first of other subsidised courses to follow.
We have two upcoming training opportunities for coaches wanting to become a provider of the Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course.
