ScoutsCymru is uniting with The Outward Bound Trust and other youth organisations to send an open letter to First Minister Vaughan Gething on why residential trips must be part of the curriculum in Wales. 

The groups are calling on the Senedd to recognise the value of outdoor education being accessible to all children in Wales, as they prepare for a crucial vote on the issue next week.

The letter recognises that life can be overwhelming for young people, especially in the wake of the pandemic, with the pressure of exams, the constant draw of social media, and the challenge of figuring out who they are.  

It says: “More than just an item on the curriculum, outdoor education can be a lifeline for young people, helping them find their way in an increasingly complex world. By making outdoor residentials part of the Curriculum for Wales and letting our children out more we can empower them to fulfil their potential in ways that can’t be measured by just grades – through teamwork, resilience, courage, and compassion.” 

The signed organisations, all of which work with young people in the outdoor sector, have come together under the direction of The Outward Bound Trust, a non-profit organisation which supports young people to have life-changing experiences at its residential centres in North Wales, the Lake District and the Highlands. They are calling on Senedd Members to support the Residential Outdoor Education Bill (Wales), in the vote which takes place on Wednesday 17 April after months of scrutiny and debate.  

Proposed by Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales, the Bill would ensure all children in Wales have access to a week-long outdoor education residential as part of their education, as well as putting funding in place to enable local authorities and schools to deliver these exciting experiences.

As well as ScoutsCymru, Scouts UK and The Outward Bound Trust, the signatories include the directors/chief executives of Annington, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding Cymru, Institute for Outdoor Learning Cymru and AHOEC North Wales, Institute for Outdoor Learning UK, National Landscapes Association, Outdoor Advisory Board, PGL Beyond, Rock UK Summit Centre, Summer Camps Trust, UK Youth, and YHA (England & Wales).   

With similar proposals gaining momentum in Scotland and England, the organisations hope that Wales will lead the way when it comes to the need for all children to have access to outdoor education. 

ScoutsCymru has actively supported the Bill over the last few months, with Director Kerrie Gemmill meeting with Sam Rowlands at the Senedd, and Sam visiting Cornel, ScoutsCymru’s residential centre in Conwy, to learn more about how outdoor educational activities benefit the young people who visit. 

Kerrie said: “It is great to have the support of The Outward Bound Trust and the wider outdoor sector across the UK for this important bill. At ScoutsCymru, more than 14,000 young people across Wales experience the thrill, adventure and benefits of education without walls. We believe that all young people should have this opportunity and that is why we are standing with our friends and supporting the Residential Outdoor Education Bill (Wales).” 

You can read the letter in full, in English and in Welsh, and see the list of organisations supporting the bill below.