40 Years of Outdoor Education at I.M. Marsh: Celebrations 1970-2010
Outdoor Education at LJMU celebrates 40 years
Mountains, rivers, caves, forests, seas, sun, snow and rain – all in a day’s work for an Outdoor Educator!
 |
Outdoor Education at I.M. Marsh in the Centre for Sport, Dance and Outdoor Education (ECL) celebrated its Fortieth Year last week with a 1970-2010 class reunion at the Haigh Student Union. Staff and students past (from as far back as 1974) and present (just about to graduate), attended the celebrations to mark the 40th year of what is known in the UK outdoor industry as the leading Outdoor Education programme in Higher Education. Outdoor Education graduates travelled from as far as Vail Colorado, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Denmark, Holland and France to join in the event – reflecting the international career pathways that many Outdoor Education students follow. |
Past students and staff alike shared memories of their time at LJMU – stories of climbing and winter mountaineering adventures, reflections of inspired learning outdoors and memories of the unique teaching approaches of the Outdoor Education staff were all part of the reunion celebrations. The only distraction for the evening of celebrations was the first England World Cup Match, but once overcome, the reunion got into full swing!
During the event graduates commented about their lasting memories of LJMU, including that the Outdoor Education programme was ‘an excellent start to life’, ‘the start of the journey of self-discovery and opportunity’, ‘a vital part of creating my life’, ‘it inspired and supported me to follow the passion of the outdoors’, ‘the best three years ever’, ‘very inspiring’ and ‘life changing’.
Outdoor Education plays a key role in society – it offers unique educational and developmental opportunities that empower, enrich and educate people of all ages. Many of the attending graduates shared how their careers had evolved since completing their study at LJMU and the Outdoor Education related posts they now hold. To name a few, these included: Expedition Leaders, Head Teachers of LEA Outdoor Education Centres, Environmental Educators, International Mountain Guides, elite kayak coaches, Special Educational Needs Teachers, Outdoor Education Teachers, Outdoor Education HE Lecturers, Managers for International Ski Operations, Assistant Head Teachers, Management Trainers, Outdoor Youth Workers and Outdoor Instructors at the UK National Mountain Centres.
The biggest thanks from the evening go to the graduates who attended. And to all past, present and future LJMU Outdoor Education students, in the words of one graduate at the reunion,’ ‘Keep on inspiring people in the outdoors’ - we look forward to seeing even more graduates at the 50yrs celebration in 2020!
Photos (left to right): 1) Speech by Graduate (1995) Tony Lyle, 2) Those graduates still left standing (& sitting) at the end of the evening, 3) Some of graduating class of 1998, 4) Outdoor Education staff: Professor Dave Huddart, Dr Duncan Martin & Dr Kaye Richards
