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The Wilderness Foundation’s popular Imbewu Scotland project moves into new territory this week with our first programme to be delivered on the Glenkindie Estate.
Students drawn from across Aberdeenshire, whose places on the course were part-funded by the Aberdeenshire LEADER programme, enjoyed a three day wilderness trail led by our guides and supported by our Education Officer in Scotland, Fiona Hanlin.  Time spent exploring wild places with our inspirational team enables the students to learn more about protecting and connecting with the environment.    Alongside experiential learning both on trail and at a residential where the children participate in active conservation tasks on the estate, we also work towards achieving Leave No Trace Awareness certificates and the John Muir Award.
Our partner schools for the programme in Aberdeenshire are The Gordon Schools, Mearns Academy, Aboyne Academy, Kemnay Academy and Meldrum Academy.     This is the third programme the Wilderness Foundation has run in Aberdeenshire this year, with previous courses having taken place at the MacRobert Trust Estate.   Each programme supports up to 12 young people at a time, who have had limit opportunities to connect with their rural heritage.   The course enables them to learn about the natural world, while raising awareness of the environmental, economic and social benefits of life and work in the rural sector.    Course graduates are mentored by trained volunteers and with the support of Fiona, are signposted towards further training, apprenticeships and further education opportunities that will enable the young people to build a career in the countryside.