A summer of variety and reward

This summer I was lucky enough to be involved with a wide range of projects in between a few days off.

I won the contract to support Loch Lomond National Park with the range of projects they deliver: ‘family fun’; the conservation volunteer programme; and education programmes. Over the summer this has involved a project with East Dumbarton to deliver a series of sessions for families in Balloch Country park on den building and environmental education. We successfully ran 3 sessions, building many dens and exploring arts in the outdoors. I also worked with some conservation volunteers to clear cross drainage and side drainage on the West highland way path running over Conic Hill. Now schools are back, I will continue with conservation work intersperse with supporting the young ranger programme and education sessions.

Secondly, I won a contract to support STAF in their first programme of outdoor learning for young people transitioning ‘out of’ or still within the care system. This has been my most rewarding project to date. Bringing an 18 year old ‘out of his shell’. I saw him grow so much in confidence in 1 short day outside. When I met D he gave me no eye contact and very little response. By the end of the day we had named a hitch after him, as he discovered a love of knot/hitch tying, realised he was actually really good at carving with a knife and throwing up a tarp! the “D… Shark Alphine Butterfly” will be the way I refer to that hitch from now on! By the end he gave me an elbow shake, smile and joke! Awesome! I hope to see you again young man on our cook out session!!

D finishing his staff on STAF!!

Finally, I continued to work with POP Perth and start supporting Monikie POP. We did an online training session and ran further sessions in tool working and cooking on a fire!

Talking about tools. Your hand is for the….

A great summer, and now back into school!!! haha…