Looking back on how formative your early outdoor experiences were , how important do you think it is for children and young people to be able to access outdoor residentials ?
I think it is a really important part of children ’ s education , even if it ’ s for one or two days or even just an activity day . These experiences can plant a little seed , and each child is always going to have that memory of going to camp for the first time ( and being away from home ) or paddling down a loch or river in a canoe . With the pandemic , some residentials have shut down , and I know funding is an issue , but I hope this will be resolved – I think every kid should experience the outdoors .
Do you think there are now more outdoor industry opportunities than when you left school ?
Yes , I think there are . I knew I wanted to do something outdoors , but unfortunately , I remember being told , “ There is not really a job there , and why don ’ t you do something else ?” There now seem to be lots more courses and outdoor degrees – it ’ s becoming more openly accepted as a career .
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