Threatened closure of field studies centres across country

[Trevor James]

The Field Studies Council has just sent through the following alert,
asking for support:

Dear All,

Please see information below – we have set up a petition to save
outdoor education centres. It would be great if you could sign it.

Best wishes,

Louise


Save our outdoor education centres


We have launched a petition to the government calling for them to
protect outdoor education centres from imminent closure.


One in three Local Authority outdoor education centres are facing
closure which could mean millions of young people are denied
potentially life-changing experiences, at a time when health, physical
activity and contact with nature are all declining. Some children
from poorer and disadvantaged groups may not have another opportunity
to share a night away from home and visit places they would not
otherwise see.


The sad fact is that closure need not happen, in many cases given
extra time these centres could become self sufficient. If centres
close they may not reopen again.


You can help by signing our petition, set up by the FSC with the
support of Association for Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, English
Outdoor Council, Institute for Outdoor Learning and National
Association of Field Studies Officers. If we reach 100,000 signatures
this year the issue will be considered for debate in the House of
Commons.


To raise awareness of the campaign we have created a short piece of
video which you can watch by following this link:

http://youtu.be/WPEenciK8uQ


Or to go direct to the petition visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26661


Act now to protect these unique opportunities for young people.


At FSC centres please can you help us to spread the word and get
signatures for this important cause by:

· Ensuring that all centre staff see and sign the petition
(including visiting tutors, freelancers, previous members of staff
etc)

· Forwarding the information above to any other contacts that
you have

· Adding this information to any centre facebook/twitter/blogs

· Encouraging visiting school teachers and students to sign,
perhaps having the video as a homepage on some of the public computers


Louise Parker

OPAL at The Field Studies Council

FSC Publications

Unit C1

Stafford Park 15

Telford

TF3 3BB



Tel: 01952 208 913