Young people back residential outdoor education guarantee in statement vote

The motion, which was proposed by Scouts Scotland MSYPs Ewan Knight and Dylan Thomas, said that “all young people in secondary school education should have a statutory right to an outdoor residential experience” - such as Scout Adventures Fordell Firs in west Fife, which was part of a recent green pilot.

Ewan Knight MSYP said: “I’m thrilled that our motion has passed and become policy of the Scottish Youth Parliament. With 80% of our membership voting in favour, it’s clear there is a demand for outdoor residential experiences to be available and accessible to every young person”

Recent pilots have combined outdoor activity programmes and leadership training with practical conservation exercises.

The motion’s success follows the publication on Friday of Liz Smith MSP’s Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill, which seeks to bring a statutory right to an outdoor education experience for every Scottish school pupil into law.

The Bill will now come before Parliament, having received cross-party support from MSPs.

Ms Smith said: “"I very much welcome the motion that was passed in the Scottish Youth Parliament which backs a statutory right to a residential outdoor experience for every secondary school pupil and which coincided with the formal introduction of my outdoor education bill in Holyrood.

“I would like to thank Ewan Knight MSYP and Dylan Welsh MSYP for their work in highlighting just how strong the desire is among young people to have this opportunity.”