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BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bedfordshire's outdoor activity centre Blue Peris to close
An outdoor education centre will close after 50 years due to budget Borough Council has decided to terminate its lease on the Blue Peris Mountain Centre in Snowdonia, North site has offered rock climbing, kayaking and other activities to school children since its inception by what was then the Bedfordshire County Council in officers said Bedford schools now had access to similar outdoor learning facilities closer to home. The council cited the need to implement recommendations from its new sport and leisure strategy and meet savings targets in the 2025-26 revenue cost of running the centre was expected to rise by £50,000 to £185,000 next year, excluding costs for repairs, according to the Local Democracy Reporting a third of the centre's bookings scheduled for next year are from Bedford-based groups. Mayor Tom Wootton signed the decision on Wednesday, which will see the council serve notice to landowner Harpur Trust and shut down the outdoor activity centre by facilities, held on a 99-year lease at a nominal rent of £1 per year, include accommodation for 73 people and is currently run by leisure contractor Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).The council cannot assign the lease to another operator, and discussions with GLL and others concluded the site would not be viable to run the Harpur Trust sells it, the council will receive 27% of any net proceeds. However, officers warned this share may be "negligible" once dilapidation costs are called in for debate by borough councillors, the decision will take effect on August 1. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024
SINGAPORE – St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International has resumed its outdoor education expeditions, about a year after its 15-year-old Singaporean student Jenna Chan died on one of these trips in the Maldives. This comes as investigations into the incident on Nov 8, 2024, are ongoing. An internal review of the school's overseas trip protocols and safety processes, commissioned soon after the tragedy, is still under way. Reports indicated the SJI International student was fatally struck by the propeller of a running boat while snorkelling near Alif Dhaalu Atoll's Dhigurah island, where she was participating in a research project with charity Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. In a written reply to The Straits Times on July 10, Dr Michael Johnston, principal of SJI International, said the Maldivian authorities hold primary investigative powers. No findings have been shared with the school despite attempts to engage them, the related organisations and the boat crew, he added. He said officers from the Maldives Police Service, assisted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), came to the school in May 2025 to interview students and a teacher who had been on the trip. ST contacted the Maldivian authorities, but did not receive a reply. In response to queries, a Ministry of Education (MOE) spokeswoman on July 15 said the ministry has been in touch with the school's board of governors, and that it will not be investigating its management. The school had followed its safety processes for overseas trips, she added. The Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents abroad, she said, adding that the SPF has been assisting the Maldivian authorities with the case. Parents of students at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, are calling for more transparency and updates as expeditions have resumed. The trips, set to be held in November, are compulsory for Grade 9 students, which is equivalent to the Secondary 3 level. In briefing slides seen by ST, which were presented to parents and students in May, students were given nine options. These include a biodiversity and research programme in Kinabatangan, Sabah; a pilgrimage trek in Japan; a Himalayan rafting expedition in Dehradun, India; sea kayaking in Langkawi; and the only local option, a sailing and rainforest exploration in Singapore. On the 2024 incident, the parent of a Grade 9 boy said the school failed to clearly outline safety measures taken, acknowledge missteps, or explain next steps. He said he would like more reassurance that the school has 'toughened up' the way it evaluates service providers. 'I'll be lying if I told you we were not worried.' A retiree in her 50s, who has a daughter in Grade 10, said she was expecting a follow-up review for parents to give their feedback on these expeditions, discuss their objectives, and where the school's safety procedures should be improved. Some parents acknowledged the benefits of outdoor programmes but wanted more information about the service providers chosen by the school. During a session in May, parents asked about the school's vetting processes, emergency and safety procedures, and details like staff-to-student ratio. The school should be open about the number of service providers it vets, its selection and risk assessment process, said a parent of a 16-year-old student. The 53-year-old, who works in the healthcare industry, added: 'It is not enough to say that a provider was 'well-regarded' or had been used before.' Dr Johnston said the school had applied the same checks it uses for all trips before approving the Maldives expedition. This included reviewing the provider's safety procedures and doing its own risk assessment of the activities. He added that the school is working closely with other international schools and MOE to strengthen safety standards and share lessons across the sector. Mr Alan Chan, Jenna's father, told ST he hopes that MOE can also have greater oversight over the operations of privately funded schools in areas related to student welfare and reporting of serious incidents. Mr Chan, 59, who is retired, said: 'I'm focusing on this gap because it seems the most straightforward to fix. It's too late for my family, but I hope to prevent the same fate from befalling others.' The MOE spokeswoman said that privately funded schools, including SJI International, are for international students and locals who prefer an alternative schooling option. 'These schools are outside the mainstream school system and have autonomy over their operations, policies and governance.' MOE engages such schools to share practices, including overseas trip planning and safety measures. Jenna's incident has reinforced the need for strong safety guidelines when organising overseas trips, said Mr Delane Lim, secretary-general of the Outdoor Learning & Adventure Education Association. In January, the association published guidelines detailing training and certification requirements to ensure activities are conducted safely and proficiently. While the guidelines are designed for local programmes, Mr Lim said schools can refer to them when vetting operators abroad and evaluating programme safety, especially in unfamiliar settings. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
BBC News
29-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bird conservation charity's £4.9k education boost
A bird conservation charity has received lottery funding to develop an outdoor education programme to encourage children to connect with BirdLife received £4,900 to expand its education programme for species monitoring in the Point of Ayre Nature Reserve, which is run by the money would be used to buy equipment such as moth traps, bat detectors, butterfly nets and action cameras for schools and community groups to borrow for Graham from Manx BirdLife, said it would enable more people to "engage directly with the natural world, develop a deeper understanding of the species around us and become active participants in conservation efforts". 'Inspire future generations' "It's an exciting opportunity for the Isle of Man community to help protect and preserve our natural heritage," she the last academic year, about 2,500 children participated in activities as part of Manx BirdLife Education Kelly, chairman of the Manx Lottery Trust, said it was "wonderful to see the charity creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with nature and contribute to wildlife conservation."It will inspire future generations to care for the natural world around them." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Equinox Guiding Service Launches Innovative High School Climbing Instructor Program in Maine
Camden, ME June 17, 2025 --( )-- Equinox Guiding Service Launches Groundbreaking High School SPI Program in Camden, Maine. Equinox and Mid-Coast School of Technology partner to deliver professional climbing education to youth, backed by statewide workforce funding Equinox Guiding Service, in partnership with the Mid-Coast School of Technology (MCST), has successfully completed a professional climbing training program for local high school students—one of the first known programs of its kind in the United States. Participating students received formal instruction toward their AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certification, a respected credential in the climbing instruction industry. 'This isn't just about climbing,' said Noah Kleiner, owner of Equinox and certified SPI Provider. 'It's about mentorship, workforce development, and giving young people access to real leadership opportunities in the outdoors.' A Purpose-Driven Partnership The program was developed in collaboration with MCST's Outdoor Leadership Program, led by instructor Seth Walton. Through hands-on instruction in rock climbing, paddling, navigation, and wilderness medicine, students gain technical and professional outdoor skills. In partnership with Equinox, they trained on real granite cliffs in Camden Hills State Park, working directly with AMGA-certified instructors throughout the spring season. This SPI training course was partially funded by the Maine Office of Tourism's 'Tourism for ME' workforce development program, which supports career development in tourism and outdoor recreation—key drivers of Maine's economy. 'Our students are getting industry-level training, real-time mentorship, and a clear pathway into the guiding world,' said Walton. 'They're not just learning how to climb—they're learning how to lead.' What Makes This Program Stand Out? SPI certification is traditionally reserved for adults already working in outdoor education or guiding. This program offers early access for high school students, helping break down entry barriers into outdoor careers and strengthening the future of Maine's adventure tourism workforce. Program highlights include: Training in Camden Hills, one of the Northeast's most scenic and accessible climbing areas Mentorship from AMGA-certified instructors Development of rope systems, terrain assessment, client care, and guiding leadership Several students now preparing for their AMGA SPI assessment Based on internal research through AMGA directories and publicly available records, this is believed to be among the first SPI-focused climbing programs in the U.S. targeted specifically to high school students. Why It Matters Camden is emerging as a regional hub for professional climbing instruction and youth outdoor leadership. This initiative represents a new model for education-industry collaboration that can be replicated across Maine and beyond. 'This program is changing lives,' said Kleiner. 'We're building a stronger climbing community—one rooted in safety, stewardship, and skill—and giving students a real shot at a future in guiding.' What's Next? Equinox and MCST are planning to expand the program in 2025 and are currently in conversation with schools and organizations interested in launching similar youth climbing education models. 'We hope this becomes a blueprint for youth training in outdoor leadership,' Kleiner said. 'The more we invest in young people, the stronger and safer our industry becomes.' For students, educators, parents, or organizations interested in youth climbing education or SPI certification, Equinox Guiding Service welcomes connection and collaboration. Contact Information: Equinox Guiding Service Noah Kleiner +1 (207) 619-3957 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Equinox Guiding Service Launches Innovative High School Climbing Instructor Program in Maine Press Release Distributed by
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Everett police save grade school's camping trip from cancellation
The Brief Olivia Park Elementary's fifth-grade camping trip at Camp Killoqua was saved by the Everett Police Department, which provided male chaperons to meet the required student-to-adult ratio. Officer Wade Wyrick and other Everett officers volunteered their time, allowing students to experience outdoor education and see law enforcement in a positive light. The camp offers unique experiences for students from a high-crime neighborhood, emphasizing community involvement and support from local police. STANWOOD, Wash. - Olivia Park Elementary School was on the brink of canceling its fifth-grade camping trip. That is until the Everett Police Department stepped up just in time to save it. "That's what we do — Everett Police. If we have to step up, we do it for the community and especially for the kids. I think every kid deserves to go to camp," said Wade Wyrick, an officer with Everett Police Department. The south Everett students are staying overnight at Camp Killoqua, located in Stanwood, as part of the school's three-day outdoor education program. The opportunity is funded through a state grant. What they're saying "The food is really good. Overall, I'm just glad to be here with my friends. I'm glad that most of them got to come," said Cecilia, a student attending the camp. "It is the talk of fifth grade from the time they get to school until now," said school counselor Stacy Goody. "It's an experience I wish every single kid in the entire world could get." The backstory The school almost did not get the experience. Goody said 2024 was their first time attending camp, and they did not have enough male chaperons to meet the required student-to-adult ratio. "Male chaperons have been very challenging. So, last year we were very close, up until the day before we left, very close to not being able to come," said Goody. In a panic, the school reached out to Everett PD, and police chief John DeRousse answered their call for chaperon help. However, for the 2025 trip, the school ran into the same problem. On the brink of canceling once again, this time four male Everett officers stepped in, including Wyrick. The officer even brought his own Killoqua stories. "All the kids deserve a chance to go to Camp Killoqua. I think it was a blast. I have great memories from it. And once I heard that they were going to have to cancel it, I thought, well, if I can help prevent that, then let's do it," said Wyrick. "I think it was really nice of them, even with their own time and all that, to come over here and help us so that we would get to have this experience as fifth graders," said Cecilia. It's a breath of fresh air for Cecilia and her classmates, much different from the halls of their school in a neighborhood that's high in crime. "Camp provides them with a lot of unique experiences that a lot of these kids have never had and are kind of hard to get normally," said Tristan Pearson, lead outdoor education instructor at Camp Killoqua. It's not just the outdoor experience the officers are helping the kids have by being their chaperon, it's also a chance for young people to see another side of their local law enforcement. "I think it's really important that the kids see us in a different light. I'm not wearing my uniform, I'm not wearing a badge. I'm just a guy," said Wyrick. "The fact that we stepped up and did something off duty shows that we want to be part of our community, not only behind the badge, but within the community to help out too." "Went above and beyond to make sure that he had guys who could be here for us," said Goody. "Very, very thankful for Everett PD because we would not be here without them. We would have had to cancel." The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Franque Thompson. Travis Decker manhunt: 'Remote' areas of 5 WA counties told to lock doors Former Army squadmate shares insight into Travis Decker's military past Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
