Oma reitti

Oma reitti

 

Schools started this year 11.8. Phone starts ringing and e-mails are coming, because groups want to visit Elba. There is a lot of work to do. The busiest times are about 7 weeks around May and right NOW.

This year we hit a jackpot; we got 13 huge groups from big schools. The starting classes come here for team building days. It means 4 hours of similar activities like we did in Glaramara. In fact I stole this “kugelcanal” –idea to us. Sorry. Thank you. We have 5cm x 60cm wooden channels for a group, and small balls to roll. These wooden channels are same as they use in the corners of houses, you know? I have had the same activity about 45 times soon. I can do it now.
And some other activities and games: stream, low ropes course, Tower, Das band, and some puzzles. Those you perhaps will test when you come here.

 

We were afraid that the groups will be demanding, because...
1. They are from 15years to- ...
2. Many of them have specially designed curriculum(?) : learning difficulties, AdHd, Asperger... There is a lot of youngsters coming from other countries: understanding each other...

...but in reality the groups haven’t been so big. Every day some of the students haven’t arrived to Elba. And exactly those youngsters usually needed fun teambuilding activities! There is a big difference between groups depending on what they study. Nurses, hairdressers etc are very talkative, while youngsters studying something else are more quiet... hard to please. Just looking at their toes in black clothes...

But I have been thinking how great it would be to start studying a profession. New challenges, new friends, new town. And a chance to get a profession, knowledge and a certificate; you can do this. Many of these may work in this job until “the end“ –text!
And instead of throwing themselves in these teambuilding games, some try hard to avoid it all.

 

Our time in Finland is getting closer. It is still summer here. It has been really warm last week.
We planned the program a little bit earlier, and I can reveal you all that at least Sea search and rescue –club http://kokkola.meripelastus.fi/  and Scouts were happy to come and tell you about their work.

 

See you!

 

Markku Hukari

 

Karleby Naturskola / Kokkolan Luontokoulu

Ungdomscentra Villa Elba / Nuorisokeskus Villa Elba

Sandstrandsvägen 60 / Sannanrannantie 60

67100 Karleby / 67100 Kokkola

Tel / Puh: +358 (0)50-366 1833

Fax: +358 (0)6 831 3448

e-mail: luontokoulu@kokkola.fi

 

Tuemme nuorten kasvua ja kehitystä

Palveluita lapsille, nuorille ja kasvattajille

www.snk.fi

 

Hiking in the alps aof Germany

Thank you again for the wonderful week in England.
I learned a lot about outdoor education and about myself.
I just went out hiking with my dad and we had a wondeful walk and a
beautiful weather.
I thought about u guys and how u would have anjoyed it as well.
See you soon in Finnland

Thank you again for this wonderful week in England.
I learned a lot new stuff about outdoor education and myself.
A few days ago I went hiking with my dad in the alps.
We had great weather and I was thinking of the Centre of Excellence and how u guys would have enjoyed it as well.
See u soon

Greetings from Richard of the North

Back in Bonnie Scotland reflecting on a wonderful week spent with amazing people with varied talents and qualities from around Europe and in who's mighty company I was blessed to spend, I can honestly say I feel enriched and more knowledgeable and returned home with plenty of food for thought :) . Wanted to say thanks to everyone for an enlightening fun time. Below is the link to a publication created by one of my funders The Rank Foundation who have helped guide not only myself but an abundance of beautiful people out there doing amazing work towards learning opportunities that have aided in the development of untold amounts of people and communities that I will forever be thankful for. The publication is the work and stories of many people's journeys and is most definitely worth a read... Enjoy ..To be continued.. :)  x  

http://www.infed.org/outdoorlearning/learning_through_outdoor_experience_print.pdf

John Muir Trust - Protecting & Managing Wild Land

http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/

Via Ferrata pt 2

Via Ferrata pt 1

On Friday, after most had already gone home, I choose to go up to Honister slate mine and do Via Ferrata Extreme. This is a climb along snniron walkway, cargo net and Burma bridge up to 300m above road level. Below are some pics - you can just about see the road below in some pics!!!!

Pics pt 1

Short review and pics pt 1

What a great week!! Finally caught up on lost sleep.

It was so great to sit and talk through different ideas regarding outdoor education/activity. Before attending this week, my idea of outdoor activity was physical activity such as climbing, kayaking, walking etc rather than leaning about the environment.

Also had a great time making the films and taking part in the activities that were part of it. Would've been nice to spend more time at the Calvert Trust centre, and maybe get a chance to see the participants taking part in the activities though I understand the reasons why this was not possible. Would've also been nice to spend a bit more time at Blencathra maybe taking part in the activities there to better understand the impacts on the environment and how they are trying to change peoples perceptions.

What a great bunch of people to spend the week with too, not only the participants but the momentum world staff - Trevor, Paul, Amy and Ryan. As Charlie mentioned, not much of your time was your own with us constantly approaching with help for this and that, but you always appeared to be willing and ready to help, so thankyou for that.

Not only was the course taking part in such a gorgeous location but I also had the chance to partake in activities I had never tried before such a s gorge scrambling and coricle building. I therefore cannot wait until part 2 in Finland come November. I hope to have the chance to see a wonderful country and again partake in activities I have never done before. Might be time to practise/learn a little Finnish language before I go though :)

Below are just a few pics from the week:

Group presentations

Thank you

Thank yli for this week! It has been great!

Group pic

Hello from Charlie

We have just had some amazing presentations from the team

Well done everyone

Charlie

You can take the girl out of the city...

My experience with Momentum World has taught me outdoor education means:

Being present in the moment

Being continually subjected to the natural elements

Being humbled

Understanding how our environment works

Being pushed out of your comfort zone and constantly learning something new about yourself

Learning the importance of discipline

Developing skills and capabilities unable to be grasped at an academic level

Having a full sensory experience

Countless opportunities for amusement

Becoming more aware of your surroundings

Clarity and focus

Improving your health and mental well-being

Discovering what it means to be human!

Monica - Amazing in Glaramara

 This has been an amazing week in Keswick, Glaramara.

I have enjoyed the gorgeous nature here in the lake district because it`s so different from the landscape in the place where I live in Finland. These mountains, stone hedges, sheep all around, small streams, small waterfalls etc. are incredible.

I have participated in activities that I never had dreamt or heard of before, for example gorge scrambling, and that needed courage to take part of. I`m very proud of myself as I have done everything.

But the most important achievement has been to get to know the people – these gorgeous, wonderful, crazy people. I have got new friends, learned to know some very special and interesting persons, some with power and strength, young energetic people with plenty of ideas, helpful and kind people, people with a lot of knowledge and information. I`m excited and exhausted.

Sari - Overcoming my fears

When I decided to participate in this project, I didn’t know what to expect. So there have been many surprises! I have enjoyed the company of this crazy bunch of people. It is amazing to see how they open up after few days and show their beautiful personality.

 I have also learned a lot about myself! I have done things I never would have done. The gorge scrambling was the absolute worst thing. But with the support from the group I did it! Overcoming your fears is an amazing feeling! I get a lot of energy from these people. There is always a lot of laughing and joking whatever we are doing.

 Also this location is fantastic, so different from home. I haven’t even minded the rain, the Lake District is so wonderful. I’m looking forward to see all of you awesome people in Finland also!  

Tihomir's Dream

My dream is to have a big garden where I grow vegetables, herbs and spices. I teach  children there how to grow those. I have got nice ideas here how to start my own business.

I have enjoyed most of the activities we have done. The most exciting thing was the gorge scrambling. The feeling was awesome! The water didn’t feel cold at all. I would have wanted to jump to the “washing machine” too, but we couldn’t do it because of another group.

The corricle building was also fun. The corricle floated nicely until it was my turn ... It just filled with water and sank. And I got wet! Well, at least I have one funny story to tell back home.

I didn’t know anyone when I came here, but now I have made friends with crazy people from UK, Austria and last but not the least, Finland. 

Two new Friendships?

Media challenge begins

Another successful day! The group continued with their challenge finalising their storyboards and filming.

The afternoon was then spent working in smaller groups. The teams began editing their videos, designing a website, managing blog content and taking photographs of the participants. 

Happy Birthday Rosko!

The group are in good spirits in celebration of Rosko's birthday! 

Let's hope it's a good day! 

Yuliyanas thoughts

 I came here with my needs for better outdoor education, with my expectations, with my fears. In the Centre of Exellence I met a great team of professionals – people who know ‘Why?’ and  ‘How?’.  I have started acquiring the essential knowledge of outdoor education. I met the participants of the project – motivated young people ready to achieve the goals of the project and their own goals, people who are responsible to their duties and to the happy mood of the group.

Half Way Blog, Paul's thoughts

Just over half way, time to catch up ...

It's been a really busy week so far; discussions, reflections, workshops, visits, presentations and outdoor activities. The centre here at Glaramarraw in the Barrowdale Valley provides an amazing venue for this type of study / activity programme and the food is excellent!

I have been reminded of the energy needed to build new relationships and when we meet new people how important it is to make space and take time to both listen and share our experiences with each other.

I have enjoyed the inputs from the Graham and the activity staff, picking up new ideas and it is obvious that the focus on safety and fun are paramount.

Introductions to short film making and storyboarding are informative but difficult within the restraints of a new group and time restrictions. I think we need clear roles and a focus on 'keeping it simple' to make progress - but Rosco is a legend on the camera ( Happy Birthday )

More to follow. Paul


Sent from my iPad

Visit to Field Studies Council & Calvert Trust Outdoor Activity Centre

Tuesday morning began with a visit to the Field Studies Council, situated on Blencathra. The group learnt about the work that goes on at the ecology and environment study centre and got the chance to see some of the ways in which energy can be generated through renewable sources.

Later on, they moved on to the Calvert Trust Outdoor Education Centre which specialises in providing activities for people with disabilities. There was a tour around the facility and a look at how the centre has changed the lives of it's residents. 

Monday Madness!

The group woke up on a beautiful Monday morning with a day full of activities ahead.

It was a real chance for the group to experience first hand the interactivity of the outdoors. They took part in archery, orienteering, corrocle building and ghyll scrambling. 

There was lots of encouragement, teamwork and enjoyment to be seen and overall was a fantastic experience! Well done everyone. 

Challenges and out from your comfort zone!

Well, what a day today has been.

Having now moved to Glaramara activity centre, near to Honister Slate Mine, today was all about taking part in some activities and filming as part of our final project.
We started off after breakfast with some gorge scrambling or Ghyll scrambling as it is known here in the lakes. This is a case of making your way from the top of a gorge to the bottom through the more difficult route of the stream/river. This involved scrambling, sliding, jumping and even belly flopping to reach the bottom. Hard work you say, fun I say though a little cold and wet is well worth the final result 😊
Then it was moving on to archery, orienteering and corakle building (small raft building for the uninitiated), which consists of making 'something' that floats from plastic pipes, tarpaulin and sticky tape. I managed to stay dry which was not quite the case for some oft teammates.
Overall, a great day had by me and hopefully my colleagues agree. Roll on reflection 😁 and talking over our storyboard.

Sent from my iPhone

Glaramara: Introduction To The Outdoors

After lunch, the group packed up their things and set off on the road to Glaramara Outdoor Activity Centre to begin the second half of the week.

This began with an introduction to the outdoors which seen the group take part in a series of excercises with a focus on teamwork. The aim of the activity was to explore various methods of Outdoor Education and teaching and to share these new experiences with their young people.

Organisation Marketplace

This morning the group had an opportunity to share a little bit about their invidiual organisations. There was lots of interaction and discussion, where participants were beginning to think about future collaboration.