Wilderness is Youth Vision’s Saturday programme of outdoor activities and informal education for young people aged 13 and above.
The Wilderness programme provides opportunities for outdoor learning to 13-16 year olds whilst simultaneously offering outdoor leadership experience to Young Leaders between 16-24.
This group is open to ALL young people. New members can self-refer through referral forms on this website and it can offer a progression route for young people involved in our Forest Skills and Back on Track programmes.
Young people can join this group as new members, or as “graduates” from out Forest Skills and Back on Track programmes. Wilderness offers young people sustained support and engagement in a programme which is fun, whilst focussing on work ethic, team work, community building and engagement. The group is run by our field manager, youth worker and volunteers.
Who is it for?
The Wilderness programme offers outdoor educational experiences for young people (aged 13-16) from a wide range of backgrounds that wish to:
- Get outdoors
- Meet new people
- Learn new skills
- Build their confidence
- Develop a deeper connection to nature
Wilderness is also for Young Leaders aged 16-24 who wish to further their development by:
- Gaining outdoor leadership and facilitation experience.
- Learning about youth work models, conflict management, risk assessment procedures and outdoor skills.
- Gaining valuable qualifications such as First Aid Training Certificates.
Wilderness is also for:
Young Leaders aged 16-24 who wish to further their development by:
- Gaining outdoor leadership and facilitation experience.
- Learning about youth work models, conflict management, risk assessment procedures and outdoor skills.
- Gaining valuable qualifications such as First Aid Training Certificates.
How does it work?
- The Wilderness programme runs from Threipmuir cottage with a maximum of 12 young people
- Each Saturday from 10am – 4pm over two twelve week blocks in spring/summer and summer/autumn
- We offer a mini-bus pick-up service from designated locations throughout Edinburgh and from the bus terminus in Balerno
What does the programme look like?
The Wilderness programme is young person led and the outline and outcomes of the project are completely up to the young people involved.
There are 3 themes for each 4 week block:
- BLOCK 1 THEME: Getting to know
- BLOCK 2 THEME: Making your mark
- BLOCK 3 THEME: Excelling in the wild
The blocks will involve skills such as:
- Bush craft
- Green woodworking
- Sustainable and traditional building techniques
- Environmental art
- Storytelling
- Fire craft
- Solo time
- Navigation & expedition planning
- Camp craft & camping expeditions
- Campfire cooking
Personal and social development
- One to one support sessions with a Youth Vision facilitator
- Individual S.M.A.R.T goal setting
- Self reviewing skills through ‘My Circle’ process
- Healthy eating
- Personal action plans
Employability skills and awards
- Dynamic Youth Award (SCQF Level 3)
- John Muir Discovery and Explorer awards
- Youth Vision Tool Safety Certificate
- Volunteering and Mentoring opportunities with Youth Vision