AdventuraScotland

DofE expedition season…….from training to finale!

Irene — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:23:08 +0000

54 Dornoch Academy Bronze DofE pupils to get out on practice and assessed expeditions between now and June, only to be followed by Dornoch Golds and Millburn Academy Silvers! Weather still cold, but practice expeditions almost done, only 14 pupils to go…… Creag Mohr bothy and Croick estate have been great ‘homes’ for our training/practice expeditions once more…thanks to the estate and Ali the estate manager for accomodating us once more! Onto Glencalvie estate now for assessed expeditions……

Belize – 2012

Irene — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:56:24 +0000

We spent most of February in wonderful Belize once more, finalising details for the next expedition. This time we travelled a ‘new way’ via Cancun and overnight bus to Belize City, then onwards to Belmopan. Meetings in Belmopan (capital of Belize) with Minister of Health, and British High Commisioner for future expeditions were followed by a brief stay at Pooks Hill. Pooks Hill was as fantastic as ever and from there we organised further details for community projects and with Belize University. It was then onto Placencia, via the Hummingbird Highway and Dangriga. We stayed just outside Seinn Bight (Garifuna village) on way to Placencia. Stunning location, warm Caribbean Sea, soft white sand and the friendliest people. Riding down the Placencia peninsula on the local bus with Bob Marley blaring from its speakers, and clear blue sky and sea…..perfect! More meetings and then northwards again to accom at the Belize Zoo Education Centre. The accom right in the middle of the jungle on the ‘jaguar corridor’ was amazing and the zoo itself…WOW! We did a day tour and then the night tour. All the animals are there due to mistreatment/injury/orphaned so quite different from the usual zoo experience and truly a magical place. From there we headed on the ferry to Ambergris Caye to spend last few days looking at possibilities there and staying with friend Vicki. Ambergris is pretty, the sea is amazing and it was great to be with Vicki in her lovely home right on the beach. Finished off with ferry to Mexico and bus to Cancun. We met great people as ever and are all set for the next time! Roll on…..Belize is a place to see and be!

End of 2011

Irene — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:14:41 +0000

After a few days in Nethy area, we headed to Thessaloniki for GINCO conference. Interesting conference once more.

Straight from there to London and onto New Zealand for DofE expedition work. Saw in 2012 in New Zealand with holiday at the end.

January sees us doing primary Residential prep work in St Andrews and further DofE work in Inverness.

Education Scotland Outdoor Conference, Glenmore Lodge

Irene — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:54:16 +0000

Presented a marketplace stand at Education Scotland Outdoor Conference. Attended some great workshops and networked for future work/partnerships. Good day out and well worth attending.

Meetings and BEL training this week…

Holidays over….DofE begins again in earnest!

Irene — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:24:55 +0000

After fabulous relaxation in Yucatan, we braved the Trail Cycle Leader Award with Jules Fincham in Aviemore. Great course with good group, and many new skills acquired and build upon!

Now off to Badaguish for our annual Gold Residential, with an ‘old’ Residential participant joining for work experience. Immediately followed by Gold/Open Gold expedition from Fort William to Dalwhinnie. Good weather and FEW midgies please!

Thereafter expeditions to ‘mop up’ left over participants who for one reason or another couldnt make the finals before the summer.

Taking Learning Outdoors – Italy

Irene — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:33:24 +0000

Another Comenius inservice course over in Schilpario, Italy. A wonderful group of 21 teachers from all over Europe, enthusiastic about Outdoor Learning. Thanks for a great week, and all your input. This was preceeded by a Gold practice/final expedition – coast to coast, and prior to that a Residential week with primary kids in the Cairngorms. Now ALMOST holiday time…USA and Yucatan, Mexico!!

42 Bronze pupils completed pract. expeds!

Irene — Sun, 08 May 2011 20:13:50 +0000

Just had last few days out and about around Oykel and Croick with DofE Bronzes from Dornoch. ALL did brilliantly and look forward to assessed expeds from next weekend! Fantastic foresight from Dornoch Academy to have all 3rd years do DofE as part of C for Ex.

Slovenia

Irene — Sun, 08 May 2011 09:35:05 +0000

Wonderful time in beautiful Slovenia, meeting all EEE friends once more. Great workshops, networking and new ideas. Loved the hiking too in the mountains. Slovenia is definitely a place to see! And next years EEE…….Crete!

Bronze training complete

Irene — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:56:18 +0000

Bronze training complete with great bunch of pupils at Dornoch Academy. Now a week off before Gold cycling supervision in Fort William and off to Slovenia for EEE conference

Gold training in Gairloch/Courses in Andalucia

Irene — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:11:54 +0000

Having had a great weekend with new ‘Golds’ in Gairloch, we now head to Andalucia for Reflective Leader inservice with teachers from all over Europe. Pics to follow from both events. Back in UK at start of April for more Bronze training at Dornoch.