Alice climbs the mountain

Outdoor Leadership BA (Hons) graduate Alice Mees left UCLan in 2013 to take up a new position at the National Mountain Centre in North Wales.

Alice took time out from her busy schedule to tell us about her time at UCLan and her new role: "I feel the course has really been a catalyst for not only my academic development, but also my development as an individual.

"Upon starting the degree I was quiet and lacking confidence. The degree provided opportunities to develop as an instructor, facilitator, coach, teacher and leader, through a good balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application of this at Tyn Dwr. The broad background knowledge I gained throughout the course has given me a great foundation from which I've been able to build upon and continue my own learning and development working in the industry.

"I now work at Plas Y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre in Snowdonia, as a Centre Assistant. This job involves working in all areas of the centre allowing me to expand upon what I learnt throughout the degree. Living in the heart of Snowdonia, I'm in a prime location for working on my hard skills such as personal climbing and boating experience, essential to the qualifications I'm currently working towards (which are also being paid for by the centre).

"Alongside working evening shifts, I get the opportunity to shadow and assist on a full range of courses during the day, building on the soft skills and facilitation theory which I studied at UCLan. I will then be instructing full-time after my induction period and once I'm fully qualified.

"I'm constantly surrounded by the most qualified and experienced instructors in the industry which provides huge learning opportunities in both hard and soft skills. Overall, the position is proving to be a fantastic springboard into the industry."

Comments

1st year applied work at Plas y Brenin

1 st year applied work at Plas y Brenin During their first year on the BAHons Outdoor Adventure Leadership course , students spent 5 weeks at Plas y Brenin the National Mountain Centre, in North Wales. The focus of the first week was to consider the core competencies used when operating in the outdoors, and in that first week we kayaked, spent time in a canoe, rock climbed and had a day on a mountain. Over the subsequent four weeks, each group spent one week focusing on each of these adventure sports. Staying in the centre, the students also made good use of the climbing wall and rolling pool in the evenings, as well as attending talks from the staff at Plas y Brenin. Here are some of the thoughts from 1 st year students about their experiences at Plas y Brenin: “The environment was incredible as it allowed so many options” “The instructors that work with us are really good… they have a high level of experience” “Plas y Brenin allowed me to have an outlook i...

Outdoor congress attracts stellar line-up

This year's European Outdoor Summit (EOS2015) is shaping up to be an unmissable event, with an exciting line-up of motivational speakers, engaging break-out sessions and workshops already announced. UCLan Outdoors Senior Lecturer Dr Mark Hickman has accepted an invitation to deliver a keynote speech at the conference, along with Professor Colin Beard of Sheffield Hallam University. Dr Hickman will look at the need for a focused social gerontology of the outdoors to help understand how the ageing population uses adventure sports and outdoor activities, and how this impacts on the ageing process. His presentation follows on from an appearance at the recent International Adventure Conference where Dr Hickman, along with colleagues Allison Inkster and Helen Hooper, delivered separate papers on the same subject. Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg tops an impressive list of speakers, with Professor Greg Whyte from The Centre for Health & Human Performance and Public H...

Frontier Education Programme

The Frontier Education Programme aims to facilitate personal development and promote learning in the outdoors. Members of the SSTO Outdoor team deliver the programme for UCLan in a number of locations, including Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. The programme is primarily a chance for students to get to know others on their course and develop a course identity. It provides them with the opportunity to experience and really understand the value of team work and supporting their peers to achieve a goal. This helps with future group tasks or assignments, whilst also assisting each other with the challenges faced on their course. Students can explore ‘Team roles’, to understand what their preferred roles are and those of their fellow team members. Students also develop key employability skills including communication, decision making, problem-solving and leadership skills. Activities include canoeing, gorge waking, climbing and abseiling. Sports Coaching and Development unde...

UCLan Outdoors Division

Search This Blog