Introducing young people to environmental studies 

The positive effects of getting out in nature are well documented, not only does it help improve mental wellbeing, it supports a growing appreciation of the environment which is often reflected back in the way we care for our natural world.

Each of our centres leverages its natural environment to deliver an itinerary of activities that support the development of students’ skills and promotes a better wellbeing. To enjoy the benefits that the outdoors offers us, we need to ensure that the preservation of it is continued. At Active Learning Centres, we’re keen to bring the outside world into education and personal development. To enhance young peoples’ knowledge and connection to the environment, we’re proud to help students work towards the John Muir Award at our centres.

What is the John Muir Award?

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It supports people in connecting with, enjoying and caring for nature, landscape, and the natural environment – in short, wild places. It does this through a structured yet adaptable scheme.

Its name comes from John Muir, the Scottish-born conservation pioneer known as ‘the founding father of National Parks’. It was launched in 1997 by the John Muir Trust, which was formed in 1983 to safeguard and conserve wild places in the United Kingdom. The John Muir Trust’s vision is of a world where wild places are protected, enhanced, and valued by and for everyone.

The four challenges

The award encourages a holistic approach to outdoor learning through its four key challenges: discover, explore, conserve and share. We approach this by helping young people discover new areas and explore them on foot or via canoes. We develop their understanding on how we can conserve and look after these places and what the human impact is – including the leave no trace (LNT) approach – and then share experiences within groups or back at school.

Who is it for?

It’s for people of all backgrounds and ages – groups, families and individuals, it’s non-competitive, inclusive and accessible.

The John Muir Award was set up to promote educational, social and personal development through engagement with wild places and involvement in conservation to encourage an active environmental approach within organisations and ensure that social circumstances don’t exclude people from opportunities to experience wild places. We deliver The John Muir Award at our centres through a longstanding partnership with The John Muir Award Scheme.

Why use it? 

The Award is a dedicated outdoor learning experience for people which has many benefits from those who complete it. Here’s why:

• It helps people to appreciate and value nature, urban greenspace and wild landscapes
• It encourages awareness, understanding and responsibility for wild places
• It promotes personal development and healthy living through outdoor experiences
• It encourages an environmental agenda – for individuals and organisations
• It recognises and celebrate achievements of each individual that meets Award Criteria

If you’d like to know more about completing the John Muir Award at one of our centres, reach out to a member of our team.