Zermatt & Glacier Art. December 21, 2006
Posted by Bill in : Glacier Art, Matterhorn, Skiing, Zermatt , 3comments
I had a few days skiing this weekend in Zermatt with good snow for the time of year and of course stunning scenery. I just had to post the obligatory Matterhorn photo! Lots of resorts seem to be cancelling races and people have cancelled holidays, however we managed to ski plenty across the three main areas and even ski down to the village.Good to be in Zermatt again its always great fun ( Mostly down to excellent company- thanks folks). It was great to on skis again and I can’t wait for another trip. A short stay of 3 days was great but would have liked a few more days.
PS: Above photo of the ice cave underneath the glacier at Klien Matterhorn - I have been to Zermatt a few times but had never been in it. Well worth it. There are quite a few things to look at (sculpture, displays) and it descends quite a bit into the glacier ( a couple of hundred meters). Interesting looking at art underneath a few million tons of ice!
Duke Of Edinburgh Award Networking. December 12, 2006
Posted by Bill in : Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Outdoor Education, Users Group Meeting , 5commentsRecently one or two schools have been asking us for advice on running D of E Awards. I am quite keen to get a meeting 
set up (potentially at Outdoor Education users group meeting Wed. 14th March 2007) with all the staff in schools who are involved in the award as I feel most of the expertise in running awards is within the Secondary Schools although there are stand alone community based groups. I think a meeting could have several benefits:
- Let aspiring D of E leaders see what others are doing and encourage them to run awards
- Let current leaders share ideas i.e.share current exped planning and routes
- Develop new ideas for running expeditions
- Develop partnerships for running awards i.e. more trainers, assessors.
- Share good practice
- Celebrate success
I will contact all the staff I know who are involved in awards to see if they would attend. I also mentioned this in our new winter newsletter which is available at www.eloe.ik.org (click on noticeboard). Look forward to hearing peoples thoughts on this. I will email all I know involved and perhaps people could leave comments on this blog so I can track interest.
Holding Back the Tide with Stepping Out at Belhaven Bay & Podcast December 8, 2006
Posted by Bill in : Adult Education, Blokarting, Experiential Learning, Stepping Out, podcast , 5comments 
An exhilarating session with unpredictable winds on Belhaven Bay brought out many thoughts on the 
benefits of getting outdoors. Spending the day with a group from the Stepping Out project we used the blokarts on the beach at Belhaven. Building them is a great teambuilding experience, as is dismantling and getting them back over a racing incoming tide! On the way back to the centre I was enthralled with what was being said in the back of the bus which led me to ask the team for a few words on their day which you can here on my first podcast. Click the link. http://www.alsite.co.uk/bill/stepout1.wav Hope to do more with groups as we review with the huge variety of groups that we come into contact during Outdoor Education days.
Preston Lodge High School vs Alexander The Great December 5, 2006
Posted by Bill in : Alexander The Great, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Experiential Learning, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Learning, Preston Lodge High School , add a comment
Today I was working with a great bunch of S3 pupils from Preston Lodge High School. As we set out for the hills to practice walking and navigation skills for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award I had thoughts on the challenges that lay ahead.
Alexander the Great’s mentors namley, Phillip his father and Aristotle realised the value of outdoor and experiential learning. as a consequence much of Alexanders teaching took place in the outdoors during expeditions. They hoped that this would build for Alexander, amongst other skills, a respect for nature and the wider world, enabling him to make informed decisions, their own Curriculum For Excellence in a way?( I believe Alexander had his first victory at 16!). Today I knew that this was a strong team and I know they will gain a tremendous amount from their journey through the award. I wonder will there be any Alexanders or Alexandrias in this team?
S6 Challenge Winners December 2, 2006
Posted by Bill in : Outdoor Education, S6 Challenge , 3comments
The Outdoor Education S6 challenge was held yesterday. Teams from S6 Schools in East Lothian competed in the challange event which involves a variety of mental and physical challenges set on and around Haddington at the River Tyne. As with every year they all performed fantastically. I am always amazed at the fantastic commitment of the teams and the staff who make it possible for the pupils to be there. Without them it doesnt happen. Well done to North berwick S6 who came first at the event. Thanks to Maree Johnston for presenting the trophy.
