The 2018 Celebrating Outdoor Learning Awards A spotlight on innovative projects that encourage and enable more people to get out, be active, learn about and connect with the outdoors.
The 2018 Celebrating Outdoor Learning Awards The Outdoor Learning Awards are presented to Outdoor Learning professionals and organisations in recognition of their outstanding work, and to encourage excellence. The sector applauds those working on innovative projects to encourage and enable more people to get out, be active, learn about and connect with the outdoors. The awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional work of a diverse group of professionals including instructors, teachers, leaders, managers, educators and researchers. The main aims of the Outdoor Learning Awards To promote outdoor learning professionals and organisations To advance the knowledge and understanding of all areas of outdoor learning To celebrate professional expertise To reward schemes that demonstrate a high level of commitment to sustainability Finalists will be selected by the three prominent membership organisations representing outdoor learning professionals and outdoor learning businesses. The winner in each category will be selected by an online public vote. The awards will from the outdoor sector, to the outdoor sector to raise the profile of the great work the members of our organisations carry out. The important role of outdoor learning professionals We want the public to know about the work of our most creative and innovative outdoor learning professionals, because their work can have a big impact on people s lives. Take a look at any of the award finalists and you ll see a great number of different public benefits they offer including health, environmental, social, and economic. For instance, outdoor learning can promote positive mental and physical health, bring communities together and, increasingly, address the issues of sustainability and climate change. Outdoor Learning Inspired me Outdoor Learning features in many aspects of people s lives, as noted by the many respondents to a recent IOL request to complete the sentence Outdoor Learning Inspired me To find out about the world around me through experience, with grubby knees and hangnails, with bruises, blisters, and the great joy that can only be engendered by nature. I have the great honour to do lots of work with young people, nothing compares to the fire in the eyes of someone who has just ridden a horse down a deserted beach, road their first wave, heard their first nightingale, fallen out of their first tree or witnessed their first sparrowhawk hunt! (Steve Backshall)
To start an after school outdoor activity club which lead to me designing and developing an Outdoor Education Area for the school, 500 trees planted, pond and shelter next! (Andrew Callaghan, via Facebook) Outdoor Learning inspired me to set up my own outdoor business, helping children to learn from experience. (Paul Oxberry, via Facebook) Outdoor learning taught me to face my fears, try something completely different and gain a host of skills in the process. It gave me a new purpose to life and a feeling of doing something worthwhile. (Emma Jane Hookey, via Facebook) To see the best in the pupils I teach, and the best in myself. (Victoria Louise, via Facebook) Outdoor learning inspired me to become an advocate for the wonders of the environment - and to share that awe with little people I work with. (Kate Newton Oakley, via Facebook) To help re shape the lives of damaged children. (Seosamh Ó Ruagáin, via Facebook) Celebrating Outdoor Learning Awards Entry to the awards is FREE. Individuals or organisations can enter each category once and as many categories as they wish. 1. Outdoor Education Partnership Award Collaborative working between schools or universities and outdoor learning professionals 2. Sports Participation and Engagement Award Outdoor learning projects that drive upcoming and established outdoor sports forward 3. Environmental Awareness and Action Award Initiatives that support sustainability at a local, regional, national, or global level 4. Supporting Health and Wellbeing Project Award Schemes that are making a difference to individual and community quality of life 5. Supporting Lifelong Learning Project Award Encouraging active lifestyles and making a positive contribution for those 55+ 6. Workforce Development Award Valuing excellence working with apprentices, graduates, management, leadership 7. Outdoor Learning Research Award Research projects that have a direct influence on policy or practice 8. Social Enterprise Project Award Celebrating new or innovative models for outdoor learning provision Student Award 9. Student Dissertation Award
Who can enter the Awards? Any project that was completed during the last 5 years preceding the year of the award can be submitted. A specific project or initiative may only be used once i.e. one category only. For the student award, only work from the three years preceding the year of the award is eligible. Who is judging the awards? A judging committee will select the finalists in each category. The committee will be drawn from prominent members of four representative bodies in the sector: The Institute for Outdoor Learning The Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres The British Activity Providers Association The Outdoor Education Advisors Panel An open online public vote will determine the winner in categories 1-8. The judging committee will decide the winner of the student award. Presentation of the awards In each category the judges will select a number of finalists who exemplify creative, innovative or effective projects that impact on people s lives. Finalists will receive a certificate and be promoted in the Awards Brochure and through social media. Online public voting will then open for each award in categories 1-8. The awards night at the 2018 UK Outdoor Learning Sector Conference on the 8 th November 2018 will showcase and applaud the finalists and winner in each category.
Outdoor Learning Awards Timeline July 2018 Awards open for online submissions Sunday 16th September 2018 Deadline for submissions September 2018 Judging Thursday 27th September 2018 Award finalists notified Online public voting opens October- November 2018 Online public voting Thursday 8th November 2018 Outdoor Learning Awards Ceremony
Outdoor Learning Award Categories 1. Outdoor Education Partnership Award Outdoor education has been central to outdoor learning in the UK for more than 100 years. Whether through field studies, outdoor sports, or adventure activities many providers are forged a valued partnership working with primary, secondary and high schools, colleges and universities. New projects involve teaching professionals and outdoor learning professionals working together to provide outdoor learning interventions to develop character and improve attainment. The award recognises collaborative working between schools / colleges / universities and outdoor learning professionals. Entries can be submitted by a school or provider of any size. Creating positive affective experiences in the outdoors Integrated and multiple intervention provision woven into the curriculum Positive and qualifiable outcomes for students and organisations involved 2. Sports Participation and Engagement Award For many young people a multi-activity programme can be the starting point for their longerterm participation in sports like climbing, canoeing, sailing, orienteering, mountain biking. Adults can be inspired to engage or return to an outdoor sport on a holiday or weekend experience. Many providers offer high quality and innovative programmes that bridge the gap between first experience and regular participation as a club member. The award recognises projects that drive engagement in upcoming and established outdoor sports forward. Entries can be submitted by an individual or provider of any size. Inclusive projects that actively encourage lapsed participants or members of disadvantaged or marginal groups to engage Projects that show they lead to multiple occasion or ongoing sports participation Schemes that value the expertise of paid and voluntary instructors and coaches 3. Environmental Awareness and Action Award Children have a natural fascination, exploration and connection with the natural world in early years and that is something that can be enhanced by progressive and inspiring outdoor learning experiences through school, family and community life. Children and young people who care about the world they live in can take their relationship with the environment forward into adult decisions and actions.
The award recognises initiatives that support environmental education or sustainability at a local, regional, national, or global level. Entries can be submitted by an individual or provider of any size. Increasing awareness of local, regional, national, or global concerns and a range of sustainable responses Projects that have led to quantifiable behaviour change Working with the local community to sustain positive changes 4. Supporting Health and Wellbeing Project Award Faced with a future of increasing obesity, mental health concerns and suicide in the population well designed and facilitated outdoor learning interventions can provide much need respite or restorative benefits. Innovative schemes see health and social care professionals and outdoor professionals working together on projects. The award recognises schemes that are making a difference to individual and community quality of life. Entries can be submitted by an individual or provider of any size. Problem diagnosis and a well-developed understanding of the necessary intervention The underlying methodology and theory of change that shapes your provision Effective partnerships with health and social welfare professionals 5. Supporting Lifelong Learning Project Award Taking the approach that being active outdoors is good for you, the sector has many projects that supporting an aging population to engage in an active lifestyle for social, health or emotional wellbeing. The award recognises projects that encourage active lifestyles and making a positive contribution for those 55+. Entries can be submitted by an individual or provider of any size. Actively reaching out and engaging participants in new and innovative ways Projects that have helped people transform their own lives and the lives of their families, friends, their communities, and the places they work. Provision that leads to longer term engagement and connection with the outdoors 6. Workforce Development Award Outdoor development programmes play a vital part in many management development, apprenticeship, induction, or leadership programmes. Inspiring locations, real and tangible
experiences, direct feedback and emotional depth in programmes provides learning solutions can be particularly impactful for employees. The award recognises and values excellence working with apprentices, graduates, management, leadership. Entries can be submitted by an individual or provider of any size. The needs analysis undertaken that underpinned the outdoor leaning intervention Clear alignment between the outdoor learning intervention and the business drivers The demonstrable impact on organisational performance and quality of working life 7. Outdoor Learning Research Award Research is a critical link that underpins policy and practice in outdoor learning. It moves the field forward into new areas and provides evidence of the efficacy and impact of existing outdoor learning approaches. IOL Research Hubs bring together academics and practitioners to collaborate and further develop research interests and outputs. The award recognises research projects that have a direct influence on policy or practice. Entries can be submitted by an individual or organisation of any size. Significance and influence of the work to professionals in the outdoor sector Relevance to the planning, delivery or evaluation of outdoor learning interventions Innovation and imagination in research / consultation and presentation 8. Social Enterprise Project Award When an outdoor learning organisation is run as a social enterprise there can be a double win as the benefits from a project are enhanced as the money made is reinvested back into the business or the local community. This new and exciting model for outdoor learning allows organisations to put their drive to tackle social problems, improve people's life chances, support communities and help the environment at the heart of their operations. The award recognises and celebrates new or innovative models for outdoor learning provision. Entries can be submitted by a social enterprise of any size. A clearly articulated future vision and strategy for how to achieve it The past, current and planned social, environmental and community impact How employees and stakeholders have been informed, consulted, and their interests taken on board
9. Student Dissertation Award This category celebrates dissertation work completed by students as part of an undergraduate or post-graduate course. It is open to students who have successfully completed their course during the 3 years to September 2018. Choice and focus of subject appropriateness of response to brief Clarity of purpose and structure ways in which aims and objectives are set out and appropriateness of dissertation structure for its purpose. Research and review quality and breadth of background research and literature review, including appropriate citing of references and sources. Methodology quality and appropriateness of methodology and its application, including clarity of procedures used. Analysis and interpretation of results analytical ability, demonstrated, including appropriate development and application of criteria for interpreting results and making judgements. Communication quality of communication and expression including written style, grammar, illustrations and graphic presentation. Conclusions/summary appropriateness, reliability and usefulness of conclusions of the subject addressed.
Award Categories 1 8 Outdoor Learning Awards Submission Requirements Each submission must contain the following. Incomplete submissions will be returned. 1. Name of award entered 2. Entrant details (name, address, contact details) 3. Project details (customer, project team, location(s), relevant dates, brief, funding, etc.) 4. Covering statement, up to 600 words, including 4.1. Purpose: describe the project requirements, scope, context, philosophy and intent. 4.2. Role of the outdoor learning professional or organisation: describe the precise role and responsibility of the outdoor learning professionals and the role of all other significant participants or stakeholders. 4.3. Significance: explain the project s relevance to the sector, the profession, the public and the environment. Describe how the project meets the criteria for judging in the appropriate category. 4.4. Innovation: explain how the scheme is unique or special, together with any unusual or demanding problems which were solved 4.5. Why this scheme deserves to win an award 5. List of partners to be credited in publicity materials if the entry is a finalist 6. External viewpoint to confirm the validity of your submission - e.g. contact details of the project sponsor (name, email), published research report(s), outcome testimonials, etc. 7. Images: You must include a logo and 2-10 images (JPEG, at least 300dpi) from your submission document, to be featured in promotional material. For each image, you will need to provide a brief description, image credit and confirmation that it can be used in publicity. 8. Online media: if you have referenced a video or website in your submission, provide the URL Student Dissertation Award Each submission must contain the following. Incomplete submissions will be returned. 1. Name of award entered 2. Entrant details (name of student, address, contact details) 3. Place of study (department, name of course studied, supervising lecturer) 4. Dissertation details (title, subtitle, relevant dates, etc.) 5. Covering statement, up to 600 words, including 5.1. Purpose: describe the dissertation requirements, scope, context, philosophy and intent. 5.2. Students role: describe the precise role and responsibility of the outdoor learning student and the role of all other significant participants. 5.3. Significance: explain the relevance of the dissertation to the student, their place of study, the sector, the public and the environment.
5.4. Innovation: explain how the dissertation is unique or special, together with any unusual or demanding problems which were solved 5.5. Why this dissertation deserves to win an award 6. List of partners to be credited in publicity materials if the entry is a finalist 7. External viewpoint to confirm the validity of your submission - e.g. contact details of dissertation sponsor (name, email), published report(s), outcome testimonials, etc. 8. Images: You must include an organisation logo and 2-10 images (JPEG, at least 300dpi) from your submission document, to be featured in promotional material. For each image, you will need to provide a brief description, image credit and confirmation that it can be used in publicity. 9. Online media: if you have referenced a video or website in your submission, provide the URL
Outdoor Learning Awards How to Enter Step 1 Choose which categories to enter All awards categories are free of charge to enter Prepare your entry Step 2 Pay careful attention to all the requirements for the award Check the submission guidelines to ensure that you meet ALL the conditions Step 3 Submit your entry online (Incomplete entries will be returned) Your entry must be received by 11.59pm on Sunday 16th September or your entry will not be valid