Wednesday 21 October 2015

Volunteer Police Cadet Power Boat Training

Hi,

Yesterday I was lucky enough to begin my training to be able to drive and instruct other people in how to drive the VPC's brand new RIB.

She had a previous life of being a drug runners boat between Africa and Southern Spain until 2 years ago when then the Royal Gibraltar Police boarded an seized her. Since then she has gone through a massive makeover. Now she is capable of 45 MPH over water when fully loaded with 10 passengers.

Hopefully in the New Year I will be fully qualified and be able to take Cadets out on it.

It was a fantastic experience learning how to drive it. Even though it was a cold day.

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Gold Duke of Edinburgh

Hi,

I have barely had enough time to re waterproof all of my kit and pack before heading off to Snowdonia National Park for my Gold Assessed Duke of Edinburgh Expedition... AND I PASSED!!! The group I was with were welcomed to the Park with awful rain; stopping you from seeing your hand in front of your face. However we summited some of the mountains and had great fun doing so. Through the gaps in the rain we had some spectacular views of the National Park. 

Friday 21 August 2015

Oma reitti

Oma reitti

 

Schools started this year 11.8. Phone starts ringing and e-mails are coming, because groups want to visit Elba. There is a lot of work to do. The busiest times are about 7 weeks around May and right NOW.

This year we hit a jackpot; we got 13 huge groups from big schools. The starting classes come here for team building days. It means 4 hours of similar activities like we did in Glaramara. In fact I stole this “kugelcanal” –idea to us. Sorry. Thank you. We have 5cm x 60cm wooden channels for a group, and small balls to roll. These wooden channels are same as they use in the corners of houses, you know? I have had the same activity about 45 times soon. I can do it now.
And some other activities and games: stream, low ropes course, Tower, Das band, and some puzzles. Those you perhaps will test when you come here.

 

We were afraid that the groups will be demanding, because...
1. They are from 15years to- ...
2. Many of them have specially designed curriculum(?) : learning difficulties, AdHd, Asperger... There is a lot of youngsters coming from other countries: understanding each other...

...but in reality the groups haven’t been so big. Every day some of the students haven’t arrived to Elba. And exactly those youngsters usually needed fun teambuilding activities! There is a big difference between groups depending on what they study. Nurses, hairdressers etc are very talkative, while youngsters studying something else are more quiet... hard to please. Just looking at their toes in black clothes...

But I have been thinking how great it would be to start studying a profession. New challenges, new friends, new town. And a chance to get a profession, knowledge and a certificate; you can do this. Many of these may work in this job until “the end“ –text!
And instead of throwing themselves in these teambuilding games, some try hard to avoid it all.

 

Our time in Finland is getting closer. It is still summer here. It has been really warm last week.
We planned the program a little bit earlier, and I can reveal you all that at least Sea search and rescue –club http://kokkola.meripelastus.fi/  and Scouts were happy to come and tell you about their work.

 

See you!

 

Markku Hukari

 

Karleby Naturskola / Kokkolan Luontokoulu

Ungdomscentra Villa Elba / Nuorisokeskus Villa Elba

Sandstrandsvägen 60 / Sannanrannantie 60

67100 Karleby / 67100 Kokkola

Tel / Puh: +358 (0)50-366 1833

Fax: +358 (0)6 831 3448

e-mail: luontokoulu@kokkola.fi

 

Tuemme nuorten kasvua ja kehitystä

Palveluita lapsille, nuorille ja kasvattajille

www.snk.fi

 

Saturday 15 August 2015

Hiking in the alps aof Germany

Thank you again for the wonderful week in England.
I learned a lot about outdoor education and about myself.
I just went out hiking with my dad and we had a wondeful walk and a
beautiful weather.
I thought about u guys and how u would have anjoyed it as well.
See you soon in Finnland
Thank you again for this wonderful week in England.
I learned a lot new stuff about outdoor education and myself.
A few days ago I went hiking with my dad in the alps.
We had great weather and I was thinking of the Centre of Excellence and how u guys would have enjoyed it as well.
See u soon

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Greetings from Richard of the North

Back in Bonnie Scotland reflecting on a wonderful week spent with amazing people with varied talents and qualities from around Europe and in who's mighty company I was blessed to spend, I can honestly say I feel enriched and more knowledgeable and returned home with plenty of food for thought :) . Wanted to say thanks to everyone for an enlightening fun time. Below is the link to a publication created by one of my funders The Rank Foundation who have helped guide not only myself but an abundance of beautiful people out there doing amazing work towards learning opportunities that have aided in the development of untold amounts of people and communities that I will forever be thankful for. The publication is the work and stories of many people's journeys and is most definitely worth a read... Enjoy ..To be continued.. :)  x  


John Muir Trust - Protecting & Managing Wild Land

http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/