| | www.burrenoec.com The Burren Outdoor Education Centre was established by Co. Clare VEC in the early 1980’s. It is a purpose built and fully equipped centre, situated amidst curved limestone hills and exists to provide quality outdoor education experiences to all participants through exploring potential and achievement. group work and support, and the promotion of life long learning. | | | | | | | | What We Do
At the Burren OEC we provide quality outdoor programmes to people of all ages, especially to those involved in various education schemes.
Participation on our programmes offers you opportunities to:
- explore the unique and vivid Burren landscape
- experience and array of exciting, diverse and challenging adventure activities
- learn and develop new skills ie map reading
- develop life skills such as workign in a group, improving comminication skills, improving self confidence
Programmes can include any combination of activities and /or environmental studies. These include the following (please see list on right hand side for details):
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Facilities include dining area, games room, meeting/ lecture room, showers, drying room, playing pitch and volley ball area. Hostel style accommodation is provided in 2 dorms of 16 with 2 single rooms for leaders in one area and in 4 rooms of 4 and 2 twin rooms in another area. Quality home cooked meals are provided for residential groups.
At the Burren OEC you will
• Experience fun, adventure and challenge while participating in adventure activities
• Learn new skills – how to paddle a kayak, read a map etc
• Learn about the unique Burren environment
• Learn and develop life skills – how to live and work as a group, solve problems as a team, improve communication skills.
• Learn about yourself – improve self confidence, deal with fear, cope with new and challenging situations.
Outdoor Education
is an approach to learning and education that focuses on learning through doing or learning from experience. It covers areas such as adventure activities, environmental studies as well as a residential experience and it presents a unique opportunity for people to be involved in situations where
• Cooperation is essential
• Social barriers can be overcome
• Life long skills and leisure interests can be acquired and improved
Programmes for schools and youth groups include
• Transition Year
• Leaving Cert Applied
• An Gaisce
• FETAC Awards
| | Who we are
A dedicated, enthusiastic and experienced team works at the centre. Outdoor staff have the necessary training and qualifications as well as being experienced working with people out of doors. They are in turn supported by a friendly and capable administrative, domestic and maintenance staff.
Manager
Joanna McInerney
Manager of the centre since 1995, Joanna has been involved in Adventure and outdoor education for over 25 years. Joanna is qualified to highest level in inland and sea kayaking and also holds rock climbing leader, mountain leader and basic cave leader awards. Joanna is a keen sea kayaker and has been involved in many trips and expeditions worldwide.
Admin
Collette Burke
Colette is the secretary and administrator at the centre. Colette runs the office and takes all queries and bookings.
Field Studies / Outdoor Education
Colin Bunce
Colin is the senior instructor and field studies tutor at the centre. He holds a geology degree and H. Dip and hugely experienced in developing and providing environmental courses, field study programmes and In service training courses. Colin is a Cave Leader and has been actively involved in cave exploration throughout the Burren.
Jess Buckley
Jess is a field studies tutor at the centre. Jess has been involved in both formal and non formal education for some years. She holds a degree in PE and Geography as well as being a qualified sailing and kayak instructor and basic cave leader.
Maintenance
Sean Shannon has been with the centre for a long number of years. A full time farmer, Sean works with us on a part time capacity and is responsible for maintaining the centre and grounds.
Outdoor Education
Alan Fairweather
Alan is a senior instructor at the centre. He holds a degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education and is a qualified rock climbing leader, mountain leader and a basic cave leader.
Ger Cullen
Ger Cullen is an Outdoor Education tutor at the centre. He holds a degree in philospohy and sociology and a Diploma in youth and community work. Ger has experience of working with the youth services as well as in outdoor education. He is qualified rock climbing leader, cave leader and kayak instructor.
Carmel Broderick
Carmel is an Outdoor Education tutor at the centre. She holds a Diploma in Outdoor Education and qualified basic cave leader and kayak and mountain leader trainee. Carmel has been involved in outdoor education for a number of years and is experienced with working with a wide variety of groups
Support
The support team is responsible for running the housekeeping and catering areas. They have a well deserved excellent reputation for providing quality home cooked meals to visiting groups and are responsible for keeping the staff well fed.
Marie O’Halloran
Marie Burke
Phil Kerins
Irene Burke . |
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