Forword

Trinity College is proud to host the 8th annual conference of the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning. The conference builds upon more than thirty years of outdoor education provision at the College and comes at an opportune moment for Wales, the UK and our European neighbours as each seeks to determine the future role and formal / informal provision of outdoor experiential learning in the education and recreational opportunities available to its people.

I am particularly indebted to the keynote speakers: Dr. Robbie Nicol (Edinburgh University), Efa Griffith Jones (Urdd Gobaith Cymru), Dr. John Rose (Youth Strategy Branch, Welsh Assembly Government) and Jane Hutt (Assembly Member for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, Welsh Assembly Government) who will help to bring together the three distinct aspects of Landscape, Youth and Outdoor Education. Likewise, I am certain the input of more than eighty delegates, from twenty different European countries, will help generate new ideas, share best practice and forge new professional networks around the role of outdoor adventure education and experiential learning on a pan-European basis.

Finally, I sincerely hope that all delegates will enjoy their stay in this beautiful part of Wales and leave with a better understanding of a Welsh way of educating in, for and about the outdoors.

Best wishes

Kevin Matherick
Head of Faculty
Arts and Social Studies