Robert Frost declared “all literature begins with geography”, and perhaps our current Curriculum diverge their roads too much. With the separation of arts and sciences, the claustrophobia of grades, and pressure of exams - not to mention the physical classroom walls - there is often little room for exploration.

As a Trainee on the Keeping it Wild project, I was able to attend a John Muir Award leader training day at London Youth (one of the project consortium partner’s) offices. The session gave advice and inspiration for those working with young people to achieve the award. It was such a pleasure to meet some of the people dedicated to creating friendly, inclusive environments where young people can socialise and explore the outdoors.

Embarking on a Keeping it Wild activity programme and working towards a John Muir Award gives London Youth’s member organisations an opportunity for their young people to learn about the natural world and discover wild spaces. The outdoors can be a much more relaxed and less pressurised setting: Sound does not reverberate against ceilings and walls, and conversations can flow more easily with movement and scenery. Providing opportunities to get outdoors and learn in different ways is extremely important. They help to boost connections, confidence, health and wellbeing. 

There is no easy solution to the prevalence of loneliness and mental health issues among the young (reported by the Office of National Statistics). Getting outdoors is often recognised as essential for physical and mental wellbeing, something the government includes in its most recent DEFRA report. The opportunities offered by the Keeping it Wild project will empower young people from under-represented backgrounds to gain vital skills while exploring and conserving our capital’s wild spaces.