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Prince’s Trust XL Project
The Scottish Outward Bound Association, The Prince’s Trust and The Outward Bound Trust worked in partnership to offer 24 XL clubs the opportunity to do a two day Outward Bound Metro course to supplement the XL programme.  The two day course focused on the development of ‘personal, interpersonal and team skills’, in line with the curriculum of the XL programme, using Outward Bound’s unique process of learning through adventurous and challenging activities that the Outward Bound instructor helped the young people reflect on and process.

The partnership involved the three organisations providing 75% of the funding required for the two day course with the remaining 25% (£250) being found by the XL club’s school.


Participating Clubs

A total of 24 clubs of which 14 were S3 clubs, 9 were S4 clubs and one was a mixed S3 and S4 club.  Three (Woodfarm, Barrhead & Port Glasgow) clubs built the two day course into a residential that the XL club organised.


Feedback

Participants and Visiting Staff (teachers, XL advisors, etc) were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire to provide some information on the impact of the programme. 

Visiting staff and participants were asked to rate the course on a scale of 1-5 on the following aspects:

  • Trying new things           
  • Working with other people   
  • Solving problems           
  • Overcoming challenges       
  • Increased confidence       


Participants were also asked to rate their learning in the same five areas on the same scale. 

The feedback from visiting staff and participants indicated that both viewed the course as an experience where a lot of learning and development took place in the areas being focused on.  This was further supported by comments of visiting staff on participants’ development:

“I feel there has been an increase in the participants' confidence as a result of the course”, teacher, Cleveden Secondary School.

“They have learned the importance of taking responsibility for the whole team and not just themselves”, teacher, Shawlands Academy.

“The group have begun to work better as a team and help each other more”, teacher, Abronhill High School.

“Pupils have gained confidence and belief in themselves.  They have developed trust in their own ability and in their peers as they have pushed themselves further than expected.”  teacher, Airdre Academy.


Finally participants were asked two ‘free text’ questions about their course – what the best thing about the course was and what they will remember most about the course.  Some comments included:


Best bits:

“the canoeing and rock climbing, the friendships and the team support”
“building the raft because we all worked together to get it built”


Most memorable bits:

“jumping in the loch”
“the way we helped each other overcome our fears and how we all worked together as a team”
“my canoe got stuck five times and the instructors were friendly and you could trust them”
“that other people have different opinions and you are not always right and that it is easier to “work in a group”
“always try your best and don't give up”


Conclusion

The project has been extremely successful with very positive feedback from all involved – young people, teachers, xl advisors and xl programme executives.  The evaluations indicated a high level of satisfaction with the course and a view that significant learning and development occurred.  Visiting staff were asked how The Outward Bound Trust could improve the course to which the reply from only two clubs was to have a backup plan if there was poor weather.  All visiting staff, when asked, indicated that they would like XL groups to have the opportunity to do a similar Outward Bound course in the future.


Martin Davidson,Head of Centre, Outward Bound Metro