As reported in last month’s Voice, the Arran Outdoor Education Centre is facing possible closure when North Ayrshire Council decides its budget next month.
In the run up to the decision on the Centre’s future on March 1st, the campaign Arran Outdoors for All has been set up to highlight the enormous asset the Outdoor Education Centre is, and has been from its beginnings in the 1970’s.
Jamie Green MSP at Holyrood yesterday, raising concern at the possible closure said, “Outdoor education has an overwhelmingly positive impact on young people, teaching them vital life skills that simply can’t be learned in the classroom.”
To learn more about what the AOEC brings to the children and teachers who visit, see the website and Facebook page. Read about the centre’s origins at the Corrie Croft here, and contemporary accounts by the children who have had the experience of a residential trip here. The contributions show that for many their stay at the AOEC has been life-changing. A teacher who has brought groups of students to Arran over many years, writes, “We must save the Arran Outdoor Education Centre. The very thought of losing such an invaluable resource that will positively impact future generations is truly heart breaking.”
The Arran Outdoor Education Centre needs your help to survive budget cuts – here’s what you can do:
• Post a link to the FB page on your social media. Encourage your friends to help.
• Post a video of yourself on social media. Tell every one about your experience of the Arran Outdoor Centre. Don’t forget to tag Arran Outdoor Education Centre & North Ayrshire Council. Or your local councillor or MSP.
• Post a picture on social media of you holding a placard with your message. Tag Arran Outdoor Education Centre & North Ayrshire Council. Also your NAC councillor.
• Write to your councillor, and as many Ayrshire councillors as you can, politely tell them what you think, and ask him or her on 1st March to vote to keep the AOEC open. To find all the councillor contact details click this link
You can also send in your experiences of the Arran Outdoor Education Centre to arranoutdoorsforall@gmail.com
Did you know the first Ayrshire school to partake in a residential outdoor experience on Arran at the original centre ” Corrie Croft” took place in August 1971 over 51 years ago?
Featured image and all photo credits: Arran Outdoor Education Centre