As outdoor leaders, we all love those moments of awe and wonder in nature. And many of us are passionate about giving other people the chance to experience the power of nature too.

Maybe you’ve asked yourself how you can create more opportunities for people to connect with nature, enjoy moments of wonder, and have a more immersive experience. Our CPD course is designed to help you do this. Rooted in an evidence-based approach, our course will give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to bring accessible elements of nature connection into a range of outdoor adventure and educational activities.

What will I learn?

• Practical, hands-on ways to bring nature connection into a day outdoors, whether that’s in bite-sized instalments or more substantive activities.
• How to use the power of stories and emotions to engage your participants with nature.
• When sharing facts and knowledge fosters nature connection, and when it doesn't.
• The theoretical underpinnings of nature connection work, drawing on eco-psychology, positive psychology, and other frameworks.
• The difference between nature contact and nature connection, and why this is important.
• Why nature connection is important for human and planetary wellbeing.
• Where to learn more about nature connection.

Is it for me?

This course is for outdoor leaders who want to help people experience a deeper nature connection during recreational or educational activities. Whether you’re new to the concept of nature connection and want to know more, or you already do some nature connection activities but want a theoretical grounding, you’ll finish the day feeling confident in bringing nature connection into your work.

How do you deliver this?

Our CPD course includes simple experiential nature connection activities, supported by theory and research. You’ll try out and experience these activities for yourself, and then we’ll discuss how to integrate nature connection activities into a recreational and/or educational day outdoors. Following a short section on theory, we’ll spend most of the day outdoors trying things out and sharing what we learned. We’ll take plenty of short breaks to help you feel relaxed and present throughout the day.

If you have any additional learning needs or accessibility requirements, please let us know in confidence when you book via our secure website.

 

Venue

Ysgubor Barn Moelyci, Fferm Moelyci, Tregarth, LL57 4BB

Ysgubor Barn is about a mile from A55 Junction 11. Look for signs for Fferm Moelyci and Blas Lon Las farm shop. Turn into the farm, then drive straight until you cannot go any further. The barn and parking will be on your right. You can also reach the venue easily by public transport or bicycle.

There is free parking on site and the building is disabled-friendly. Please note that the track up to the barn is rutted and uneven; if you’re worried about your car you may wish to park just at the entrance to the farm and walk up to the barn. This will take 5-10 minutes depending on your walking speed.

What to bring

Our day will be a mix of theory, practice and reflective discussions. Depending on the venue and weather, we’ll spend most of our time outside practicing and discussing nature connection activities. Please bring a water bottle, thermos, packed lunch, snacks, lots of warm layers, waterproofs, sit mat, pen, and notepad. We’ll provide mugs, hot water, oat/cow’s milk, instant coffee, and a selection of teas.

Credentials & delivery team

This course will be delivered by Mia Walker. Mia is a Mountain Leader, NatureWell Facilitator, educator, and entrepreneur. She has delivered high-quality training in a wide range of settings, from outdoor centres to postgraduate programmes at universities. A member of the Mountain Training Association and the British Mountaineering Council, Mia holds a REC Outdoor First Aid certificate and a certificate in polyvagal theory.

The course was initially developed by Mia Walker in conjunction with former Guided by Nature Director Caroline, an eco-psychology practitioner with two decades of professional experience delivering mental health and wellbeing services. It has since been expanded and refined, as we always like to act on participant feedback.

CPD points & booking

This course confers 1 CPD credit for Mountain Training Association (MTA) and Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) members, or 1 BAIML Peripheral CPD point. Please have your membership number to hand when you book.

What happens after the event

If you attend this event and it counts as CPD, your CPD point(s) will automatically be added to your record in due course. You will not need to add it yourself. Please allow up to 2 weeks for us to complete the event in the system and assign your CPD point(s). Thank you a diolch.

Photos and feedback

We’d like your permission to use your photos and feedback on the day for marketing purposes, including on social media. It’s easy to refuse either while booking or on the day.

Cancellations and refunds

We aim to provide creative and professional workshops that are fairly priced – events which are good value for money as they’re run by experienced guides and facilitators. As a small business, our cancellation policy helps us ensure that our costs are covered and to protect the ongoing viability of our workshops.

• If you contact us more than 7 days prior to the start time of your event, we will give you a full refund.
• If you contact us between 7 and 2 days (48 hours) before the event start time, we will attempt to fill your space from the event waiting list. If we are successful, we’ll give you a full refund minus a £5 administrative fee.
• If you contact us less than 48 hours before the event start time we cannot provide a refund.
• If you’re unable to attend an event, you can transfer your ticket to a friend. If you’d like to do this, please email us their name, email address and mobile number.

Please read our Terms & Conditions carefully before you book as they include important information, such as the full details of our cancellation policy.

Questions?

Please contact us or call Mia at 07880 717905.

Need help?

FAQ  |  Privacy & data protection  |  Terms & Conditions  |  Contact

Photo credit Mike Raine, diolch.