Please note – the John Muir Trust have paused the Award programme while it is being redesigned, a process we have been delighted to participate in. We plan to start offering John Muir Award again when the scheme re-opens in spring 2025.
“There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognised or not, and however covered by cares and duties.”
John Muir
Our flagship programme is our John Muir Award, in which we work 1-1 with a young person to explore a variety of outdoor places, discover what makes our chosen ‘wild place’ special, give something back through conservation work and share the place with others. Although we set the educational framework, our young people take ownership of their award and decide for themselves what places we will visit and what activities we will do. Most young people will do some photography, drawing/sketching, creative writing/poetry, mapping and wildlife surveying. The programme leads to the Discovery Award, operated by the John Muir Trust.
To achieve the John Muir Award, participants must complete four challenges:
- Discover: Together we go and explore some ‘wild places’ around Torbay and south Devon, even going on to Dartmoor on full day sessions.
- Explore: We choose our favourite place from those we have visited and get to know it in more detail. As part of discovery we may take photos, sketch, create maps, learn about natural history and explore the wildlife that lives there.
- Conserve: We take action to look after our chosen place. This could be through surveying, litter picks, campaigning/making posters or practical tasks such as making nest boxes and bird feeders.
- Share: Finally, we share our experiences and enjoyment of the place. This could be through art, making videos, leading a walk for our friends and family or simply through quiet conversation with our leader.
This is a very powerful award and is at the heart of our work. We are proud to be members of the John Muir Trust, who are one of the UK’s leading voices in conserving wild places – you can find out more about them here.
