UCLan Outdoors Division

Well done to everyone who recently graduated from our Blended Outdoor Leadership Top-Up degree. The programme is aimed at practitioners who work in the outdoor industry, and our graduates have studied part-time for two years to achieve the degree. The course is delivered on weekends, one module at a time, and supported with online learning and elearn tutorial sessions. The graduates have studied topics such as Leadership and Change, Conditioning for Adventure Sports, Performance Coaching and Sustainable Outdoor Practice. We have a new cohort each year, so the current cohort will soon be joined by our new intakes of students. For more information please click here . Alternatively you can email Course Leaders Rosemary Powell or Helen Hooper .

First year undergraduates visited a local outdoor education centre as part of their induction week programme. The group took part in a team building trip to Hothersall Lodge in the Ribble Valley, where they enjoyed a range of outdoor activities designed to whet their appetites for the months ahead. Hothersall offers students the chance to gain experience and National Governing Body qualifications throughout their time on the UCLan Outdoors programme. For more information about the Lodge please click here .

UCLan Outdoors staff are back from their summer vacations and are looking forward to the new acdemic year. Our team have been busy widening their knowledge of the outdoors, with staff trekking in Morocco and Corsica, undertaking Kayaking expeditions in North Wales and Canoeing in the Scottish Highlands. We hope our new and returning students enjoy a productive year. If you haven't already done so, please follow us on Twitter  @UClanOutdoors for regular updates and news stories from around the Division.

UCLan is recognised for its outstanding course provision which gives students the skills, knowledge, and personal attributes necessary to succeed at the University and in their future careers. Adventure Sports Coaching graduate Karl Domeracki has enjoyed a variety of experiences since leaving UCLan. We spoke to Karl to find out more: "I currently volunteer as a climbing instructor at West View Leisure Centre, Preston, and train with Liverpool University Officer Training Corps which has provided me with a unique challenge. I've completed various military exercises, community projects and adventure training including an eight day skiing expedition in Les Contamines, France, and a nine day sailing exercise in The Baltic Sea. "I'll be taking part on exercise 'Airborne Student', an intense week consisting of the Paratroopers' gruelling selection process. Following this I'll do my ML training at Tyn Dwr in Llangollen, North Wales. "This summer I...

A group of UCLan Outdoors undergraduates are set to travel to Canada as part of their BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership course. Second year students Hannah Smith, Luke Duckworth, Robin Naylor, Callum Munnelly and Ben Henderson will tackle 16 days of extreme subartic weather conditions in Kluane National Park. Hannah said: "I'm really excited about what's in store for us. It's going to be a fantastic experience and one which will test us to our physical and mental limits. It's mandatory for our course that we take part in an expedition of at least four nights, but we decided to go all out. "We've done lots of research and training to make sure we're as prepared as possible and we've had great support from the UCLan." Along with the physical and mental endurance needed for this expedition, the group will collect data for their dissertations. Throughout the trip they will carry and drag their basic survival equipment, including camping gear an...

New York State University's Professor Lynn Anderson recently took part in our public debate - 'Access v the Environment - where do you draw the line?' Professor Anderson has kindly sent a letter about her time with us in Preston: "I write to formally thank you for the wonderful opportunity to visit the University of Central Lancashire as a part of the Distinguished Visitor Programme. I very much enjoyed meeting with faculty, staff, and especially students as a part of my visit to your campus. "I was impressed with the Outdoor students who attended several of the sessions I presented during the week. The students had interesting ideas and stimulating contributions to discussions, as well as thought-provoking questions. "I felt there was great benefit comparing and contrasting our fields of study between our two countries, both for the students and for myself and other faculty. I was pleased to see the large number of students who attended the public ta...