A Loughs Agency Education Programme
Summer Information Pack
Introduction
DISCOVER more this year with Loughs Agency’s Foyle and Carlingford Ambassador Programme. The programme is an opportunity for participants to EXPLORE their local river and coastline through watersports and environmental activities. Participant involvement will help CONSERVE these important natural resources so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come Together, we can SHARE your experiences with the wider world, illustrating how everyone can respect the WILD and wonderful places on our doorstep.
Loughs Agency has proudly delivered this programme for several years, with nearly 500 young people successfully graduating. This immersive programme offers students the chance to explore the natural beauty of their local environment while learning about its
social, economic, and environmental importance all closely aligned with the school curriculum.
The Ambassador Programme is a fantastic opportunity for students to step out of the classroom and engage in real-world, handson learning about their local environment. Not only will they earn the prestigious John Muir Discovery Award, but the programme also complements subjects like geography and science while fostering friendships and adventure with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Interested in taking part? Please complete an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency org
What’s involved?
In groups of 20, ambassadors will work together to deepen their understanding of local waterways through a variety of engaging activities.
Each programme will include: Five consecutive days of hands-on learning focused on a local water catchment Climate Action Events
Complete participant/parental survey once programme is completed. Outdoor clothing - exposure protection i.e sunscreen, hats, raincoat, outdoor shoes. Lunch, snacks & waterbottle
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency org
Project Aims
1. Environmental Awareness:
To foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the local environment, particularly focusing on waterways and ecosystems, highlighting their importance in social, economic, and environmental contexts.
2. Hands-on Learning:
To provide students with real-world, experiential learning opportunities that enhance their understanding of environmental science, geography, and sustainability, complementing the school curriculum.
3. Leadership & Teamwork Development:
To cultivate essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving through outdoor activities and group projects, preparing students for future challenges.
4. Citizen Science Engagement:
To empower young people to actively participate in citizen science projects, conducting meaningful environmental research and conservation efforts within their local communities.
5. Connection with Nature:
To inspire students to build a stronger connection with the natural world, encouraging a lifelong commitment to protecting and preserving their local environment
6. Cultural Exchange & Social Growth:
To create opportunities for students to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering new friendships, mutual respect, and shared learning experiences.
Catchment Maps
To take part, participants must be located within the Foyle or Carlingford catchments.
Foyle Catchment
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency.org
Catchment Maps
To take part, participants must be located within the Foyle or Carlingford catchment.
Carlingford Catchment
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency.org
FAQs
Will there be a cost to participating?
There is no charge for young people to participate. The Agency will support transport costs associated with the programme Participants are only required to be dropped off and picked up at designated location and bring a packed lunch.
How many participants will be involved in the overall programme?
We are recruiting for 2 summer programmes: 1 in the Foyle catchment and 1 summer programme in the Carlingford catchment. Each programme will have 20 young people, 40 in total.
What will the programme involve?
The programme will consist of activities and workshops along the river and coast which include angling and habitat surveys, citizen science projects and water activities. Water-based activities will be focused on the local catchment area (e.g SUPing, kayaking, or surfing). There will be opportunities throughout the programme to meet Loughs Agency conservation and protection teams to find out more about the work of Loughs Agency.
Where will the programmes take place?
The programme will focus on the local river/lough/coast. However, there will be trips to other locations around the catchment during the week-long programme The majority of the programme will be outdoors.
How long will the programme last each day?
The programme will run each day from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Participants will be dropped off at a designated area where transportation will be provided by Loughs Agency, and picked up that afternoon at the same location
What is the John Muir Discovery Award
The John Muir Discovery Award is an environmental award that encourages participants to explore, conserve, and share their experiences in nature. It promotes outdoor learning and helps people connect with and care for the natural world, aligning with values of conservation and sustainability
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency.org
Testimonial
FORMER AMBASSADOR
Leo Deehan
Foyle Ambassador 2015
I took part in the Foyle Ambassadors programme in 2015, it was an unbeatable experience and I met an amazing group of people from a variety of backgrounds who I wouldn’t have met had I not participated. I am still friends with many of them four years later.
Not only did I have a great time and learn some valuable new skills, but it also gave me an acute awareness of our environment, particularly the River Foyle and its tributaries. I was unsure what career path I wanted to take but the programme helped me spark an interest in the environment and made me aware of all the opportunities that are out there in this field.
Being a Foyle Ambassador inspired me to choose to study Environmental Science at University I have completed two years and now I am in the middle of my placement year working for Loughs Agency as an Assistant Scientific Officer and loving every minute of it!
For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency.org
Testimonial
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Michael Allen
Lisneal College (participated in the school programme in 2015 , 2019 & 2022
Lisneal College values the working partnership we have developed with Loughs Agency over the past few years Pupils at Lisneal are provided with the opportunity to learn about the important role our waterways play in sustaining the ecosystem of our city and beyond. Although our students see the rivers and waterways almost every day, it is fair to say that many of them take our amazing natural resources and environment for granted. Working alongside Loughs Agency has allowed the project participants to connect with our environment and recognise the value of conservation and protection of our natural resources and wildlife
One of the most positive aspects of the programme has been watching our students develop both personally and educationally. A number of the young people who participated in the programme were considered at risk of disaffection and educational underachievement; however, the project allowed these students to engage with one another in a positive, non-competitive setting, and develop lifelong skills that can be applied to all aspects of school The NI curriculum recognises the importance of developing pupils’ thinking skills and personal capabilities; however, schools are often not well equipped to provide ‘real-life’ learning opportunities that make skill-based learning explicit. This programme changed that for us. The outdoor learning environment challenges our students to problem-solve, work in teams, negotiate and manage a range of information to make decisions: all essential for life and academic success
As professionals in education, we have to learn from our pupils’ successes and failures. This programme clearly demonstrated that Lisneal College must rethink our Key Stage 3 curriculum to provide better skills-based learning opportunities that allow pupils to develop personally and academically. As a result, we are exploring how we can enhance our statutory curriculum to
The Ambassador programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about their local environment outside the classroom through hands-on participator experiences. The experience will enable young people to gain the John Muir Discovery Award. As well as complementing their learning in subjects such as geography and science, the programme will provide the opportunity to build friendships and embark on adventures with people from different backgrounds and connect to their local environment
If you are interested in taking part in the Ambassador programme, please complete the expression of interest form. For more information about Foyle & Carlingford Ambassador Pogramme, please email: education@loughs-agency.org