Bringing Nature Connection into Outdoor Leadership
As outdoor leaders, we love those moments of awe and wonder in nature. And many of us are passionate about sharing its power.
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? This CPD course is designed to help you do just this!
Rooted in an evidence-based approach, it gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to bring accessible elements of nature connection into a range of outdoor adventure and educational activities. You’ll finish the day feeling confident in bringing nature connection into your work.
Participants praise this course for its strong blend of practical learning outdoors and clear, evidence-based content. They enjoy the supportive facilitation style, which creates a comfortable space for sharing. Attendees have deepened their own connection with nature, found fresh inspiration for their work, and were able to apply the techniques they learned right away.
What will I learn?
- The theoretical underpinnings of nature connection work, drawing on eco-psychology, positive psychology, and other frameworks
- The differences and similarities between nature contact and nature connection, and why this is important
- When it’s appropriate to bring intentional nature connection into recreational activities
- When sharing facts and knowledge fosters nature connection, and when it doesn't
- How to integrate hands-on, practical 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
- How to guide two simple Nature-Based Mindfulness activities
- Why nature connection is important for human and planetary wellbeing
- How nature connectedness promotes pro-environmental behaviour
- Where to learn more about nature connection
Who’s the course for?
Bringing Nature Connection into Outdoor Leadership is designed specifically for outdoor leaders who want to help people experience a deeper nature connection during recreational or educational activities.
It’s suitable regardless of your experience level. If you’re new to the concept of nature connection and want to know more, the course will give you a solid foundation to work from. If already do bring nature connection into your work, you’ll gain theoretical grounding, hone your skills, and expand your techniques.
What can I expect from this course?
We’ll begin the day with a short theory session to lay the foundations. We then move outside to things out and share insights. Most of our time is spent in and with nature!
We first examine the evidence base for nature connection. We’ll discuss relevant concepts from eco-psychology and positive psychology, and their relation to nature connection. Then, we explore what nature connection is - and isn't. We also consider how the experience varies. Finally, we examine the Five Pathways model and how each fosters a deeper level of connection.
Then, we move outside for the practical part of the day. We start with a Nature-Based Mindfulness activity, which you’ll experience first and practice in small groups. We’ll take a deep dive into each of the Five Pathways. We discuss each pathway's foundation and examine activities to put it into practice. You'll have ample opportunity to experience and lead various activities, giving you the confidence to use them in your work.
The day winds up gently with a round table discussion. We’ll look at when and how to integrate intentional nature connection into the recreational or educational activities. We’ll discuss how to tailor the techniques to the activities you lead, so you can implement what you’ve learned right away.
We’ll take plenty of short breaks to help you feel relaxed and present throughout the day.
If you have additional learning needs or accessibility requirements, please let us know in confidence when you book via our secure website.
Venue
Eryri Basecamp Loft at Alpkit, Holyhead Rd, Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0BW
You’ll find the Eryri Basecamp Loft tucked away on the top floor of the Alpkit shop in Betws-y-Coed. The venue can be reached by train and bus (T10). If you’re driving, please note that there’s no parking at Alpkit, but you’ll find plenty of spaces on the A5 nearby. Unfortunately, this venue is not wheelchair accessible. Huge thanks to Alpkit for making this space available to the outdoor community – diolch o galon!
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 is delivered by Mia Walker of Leading in Nature. 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 team member Caroline, an eco-psychology practitioner with two decades of professional experience delivering mental health and wellbeing services. It has since been expanded and refined in response to participant feedback.
CPD points & booking
This course confers 1 CPD credit for members of Mountain Training Association (MTA), Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and BAIML (BAIML Peripheral). Please have your membership number to hand when you book, and make sure your membership is current.
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 professional events that are fairly priced. Our cancellation policy helps us cover our costs and protect the ongoing viability of our events.
- If you cancel more than 21 days before the event start time, you’ll receive a refund for the amount you’ve paid to us, minus a Cancellation Charge of £10. You may opt for a Credit Voucher that’s good for 12 months instead.
- If you less than 21 days before event start time: You will not receive a refund unless there is a serious problem, i.e., serious illness, major injury, bereavement, transit strikes, jury duty, or military duty. You’ll need to provide appropriate documentation in order to receive the refund. You will receive the full amount you paid to us less a £10 Cancellation Charge.
- If we have to cancel the event due to circumstances outside of our control, you will be offered an alternative date or a Credit Voucher that’s good for 12 months.
We strongly recommend taking out Personal Accident, Personal Injury and Cancellation insurance so that you’re protected in case you can’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances. Cancellations can only be made by email.
Please read our Terms & Conditions carefully before you book. They include important information, e.g. full details of our cancellation policy.
Questions?
Please contact us or call Mia at 07880 717905.
Need help?
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Photo credit Mike Raine, diolch.