124. Neil Wightwick: Transforming lives through nature's classroom

Access to Inspiration

In episode 124 we delve into the world of outdoor education with Neil Wightwick, a leading figure in driving national policy in Scotland to make outdoor education accessible to all. Discover how outdoor environments can become powerful classrooms and how physical challenges can foster growth and curiosity in students. Neil shares his passion for varied outdoor activities and recounts his own experiences, such as rowing across the Atlantic, which taught him the importance of resilience and the power of nature. Neil also discusses with host, Sue Stockdale his work in enabling young people to engage with the outdoors, particularly those from marginalised communities.
About Neil Wightwick
Neil Wightwick is a modern-day explorer and tireless advocate for adventurous education, whose remarkable adventures have taken him to the farthest reaches of the globe. With a resume that includes rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, scaling unclimbed peaks in Patagonia, and crossing the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert on foot, Neil's thirst for adventure knows no bounds. Throughout his career, Neil has been driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of outdoor experiences, particularly for young people. He is currently serving as the CEO of the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education and Head of Glasgow City Council's Outdoor Education Services. Through his leadership roles, he is shaping the landscape of outdoor education, ensuring that future generations have the chance to explore, learn, and grow through adventurous experiences in the great outdoors.
Connect with Neil Wightwick via LinkedIn.
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Key Quotes

• "I like to have variety, and I like to learn from all of those different experiences."
• "The solutions and the challenges of today and tomorrow aren't going to be solved by students who have learned how to regurgitate information in a test."
• “If I don't get outside and I don't have some kind of physical activity, it does start to affect my mental well-being."
• “There are a number of ways that outdoor learning and adventurous education can interact in really positive ways with the digital world."
• “We're always coming full circle to appreciating the value of silence and conversation and experience in present time rather than looking at technology at the same time."

Time Stamps
[02:15] Adventure in everyday life.
[06:03] Adventurous education and experiential learning.
[09:24] Outdoors as a mental tonic.
[13:55] Impact of adventurous learning.
[17:13] Outdoor education impact on society.
[25:35] Digital detox in expeditions.
[29:23] Small steps lead to adventures.
[30:52] Adventure and environmental impact.
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Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
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