By: Blonde Two
It is not often I recommend that anyone read any government document (we in teaching are sick of them) but you really should read this one.
“The 8-Point Plan for England’s National Parks” contains within its pages some phrases that evoke positive Blonde reaction. Let’s face it, anything that includes “Connect young people with nature.” as one of its headings has to get us excited. I give a caveat here, I can see no hint of increased funding to help our cash-strapped National Parks pay for these strategies, I hope that this will follow.
The report first gives some bad news, did you know that only 10% of our children have access to outdoor learning? Even more worrying is that last year 1.3 million children in the UK did not visit (or hardly ever visited) natural environments.
But here are the good bits:
“We want to engage young people with national parks at every stage of their education.” Yep, we Blondes and almost everybody we have met at Dartmoor National Park Authority would be in agreement.
“National Park Authorities to engage directly with over 60,000 young people per year through schools visits by 2017/18.” That is a lot of young people, what an exciting thought! Please can we help engage them?
“We will work with National Park Authorities to develop a new package of materials for schools, to enable teachers and parents to connect children’s learning with National Parks.” Now if that isn’t a job for Blondes, I don’t know what is! Where do we sign up?
A promising few years ahead for our young people and our National Parks? We Blondes hope so. Dartmoor, of course, is already shining with its Junior Ranger Program being hailed as a praiseworthy example.
There you go again. Always asking for more taxpayers’ money. Money is not the answer and anyway there’s no money left (vide Liam Byrne’s 2010 note to his successor at the Treasury). It’s an attitude/education thing. And if more money were to be showered on the National Park authorities, they’d just waste it on yet more bureaucratic flim-flam
a) As a taxpayer, I believe I am entitled to state where I would prefer taxes to be spent.
b) How can anyone change their attitude towards the outdoors unless they are given an opportunity to experience it?
c) Access to the outdoors, like so many of life’s good things, is income related. I can see Dartmoor and my school from my bed; but in between myself and them, are the homes of many youngsters who have never visited Dartmoor, some of whom don’t even know that it is there.
d) I have never met a less bureaucratic lot than the folks here at Dartmoor National Park.
a) That’s what general elections are all about
b)/c) Does not that speak volumes about our current day educators and education systems?
d) My experience with the NYM park authority differs from yours on Dartmoor.
I’m really pleased, Im hoping (perhaps naively) that by showing youngsters the magic and beauty of our national parks they will grow up with a love and appreciation for them. It may just help to decrease the incidences of damage due to fly tipping, littering, dogs attacking sheep, ponies and other stock being killed in the roads, the crazy pastime of screaming all over open areas in cars….
There are many Park Rangers who will tell you they chose their career because someone took the time and trouble to show them the stunning beauty of our wide open spaces!
I was incredibly lucky, my parents brought us as small children to Dartmoor every weekend to walk, swim, run and play. So it’s no coincidence that my great passion is Dartmoor, and that I now not only live and work on the moor, but also own the Dartmoor Tourism Organisation!
If your child shows no respect or gratitude at home do you still have to provide them with the kit required to take part in DOE trip to dartmoor?
Good question and the answer is entirely up to you, you are the parent. I would point out though that DofE is an excellent way of teaching youngsters all kinds of life skills including appreciation.
I do agree but i have to say, i did the course when i was at school and was so grateful to ny parents for their support. I did extra at home to help out and made my mum a thankyou card after with things id found on my trip. if id spoken to my parents or treated my home with ignorance, disrespect and lack of any appreciation then I certainly wouldnt of been able to go. This is not how we have brought her up so don’t understand the way shes being. Plus these days we would be looked down upon for not providing! I had to ask my parents before signing up and earn my place…. She just signed up by herself??!
I soent nearly £100 yesterday on boots and waterproofs and when presented to her…. We got the reply “good!” And she didnt show any interest or even take or look in the bag.
Do i look the bad person if i return them?
There is free kit available from many groups supported by the excellent “Gift your Gear” programmes hosted by the indefatigable Sarah Howcroft. http://giftyourgear.com/