As the petition for the campaign to save Scotland’s outdoor education and residential centres passes the 19,500 mark, we at eduTrips are focusing on this issue for this week’s article.
Following on from the Scottish Government guidance on the 14th August 2020, stating that no residentials should take place we have heard numerous positive stories from EVCs, teachers, and group leaders. This has highlighted to us the impact of the closures of such sites has had on not only groups, pupils, local communities but also the wider education travel sector. Missed opportunities and income for so many in our community of school travel.
As a former Princes Trust Team Leader, I have witnessed the many positives that outdoor learning and going away on a residential can bring to a young person’s life. From increased confidence, learning new skills, facing their fears (heights) to making new friendship groups, and connecting with nature. The list goes on….For some including myself as a child, school residentials were a big highlight for pupils giving many a chance to get out of a city/town to larger outdoor spaces/environments.
There was a debate on the matter in the Scottish Parliament on the 22nd of September where the government stated that ministers would continue to engage with the sector. However, as time passes by for many of the outdoor centres the campaign estimates a loss of 50% by the time that overnight residentials can resume which they believe will not take place much before August 2021.
The current advice is due to be reviewed by the Scottish Government in December 2020. We have signed and would encourage others to at Change.org
https://www.change.org/p/scottish-government-save-scottish-outdoor-centres
Obviously, the priority for schools is starting the year safely, however when schools/colleges can start to go on residentials we are ready with our new Covid Updates.