The Outdoors Project - West Sussex

Qualifications and Awards:

Advanced First Aider, Young Epilepsy, Understanding Autism, Supporting Children’s Mental Health, Level 3 Teaching & Education.

Interests:

I love anything creative! I enjoy drawing or sketching, I’ve recently got myself into a bit of photography too! I love to get my hands moving making things out of wood, cardboard, clay… Literally anything where I can just express myself and create whatever I want to create!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

Firelighting or Campfire Cookout! I love the fact this natural element can be used for a variety of things; cooking, warmth, making charcoal to create art! I especially enjoy hearing the popping and cracking of the wood as it burns!!!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal, I would like to be sloth… They always look sooo chilled without any worries in the world!

What do you love about the outdoors?

What I love most about the outdoors is anything can be out there! Exploring woodlands, you can come across animal footprints, nests, or even the animals themselves in their natural habitat. I love the different colours, textures and interesting shapes that trees and plants grow into.

Interests:

I love motorcycles or to be honest anything with an engine! I love going out and exploring the world and an engine just makes it easier to do so!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

I really do love all of the activites we do but one of my favourite ODP activities is Nerf. I love how much the children enjoy it and it is always great levels of excitment and enthusiasm. 

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal I think I would be a monkey because they just seem to always want to enjoy themselves, have fun with those around them and be laughing along the way.

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the outdoors because of the freedom it brings and because there is always something new to explore, discover and learn.

Qualifications and Awards

Paediatric Infant and Child First Aid, Emergency First Aid at Work.

Interests

Walking, Poker, Food & Drink, Badminton and Music.

Favourite ODP activity and why

All the activities are so varied and unique, it's hard to choose! Anything that involves teamwork is great as seeing all the kids working together to achieve a goal is a joy to see.

If you were an animal what would you be?

A Golden Eagle. The ability to soar at 15,000 feet and dive at 200mph would be pretty exhilarating! All birds off prey fascinate me, they're beautiful animals.

What do you love about the outdoors?

Being outdoors, for me, is very grounding and gives us such a welcome break from the fast paced lives most of us tend to live in. 

With nature always changing and adapting, every experience is unique. 

Why be inside when you can be outside!

Qualifications and Awards:

BA Hons in Performing Arts

Interests:

I love everything to do with performing! Being on stage and dancing anywhere and everywhere is my biggest passion!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

Quidditch! I love flying on broomsticks trying to score as many goals as possible, and especially trying to catch the golden snitch!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

Definitely a golden eagle! A regal bird who flies everywhere they go, who wouldn’t want to fly?!

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the fresh air, it’s freeing and calming. No matter the weather, the outdoors is great for adventures!

Qualifications and Awards:

BSc Anthropology, MA Medical Anthropology, Paediatric Infant and Child First Aid, Emergency First Aid at Work.

Interests:

I also love playing football, calisthenics, going camping and mountain biking. I am also very interested in different cultures around the world, and especially indigenous healing traditions that have been using plants as medicines for thousands of years. 

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favourite ODP activities are shelter building and fire lighting. This is because they are skills that can be honed and used for the rest of your life, and allow you to make a comfortable new home anywhere in nature!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would be either a Lion or a Black Panther. I love how majestic and powerful Lions are, and Black Panthers are amazing at climbing, swimming, and being incredibly silent and invisible when they want to be!

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the outdoors for the fresh air, and the peace of mind that all the plants, trees, and animals give me when I am amongst them. Just being in connection with mother nature makes me feel much more healthy and tranquil!

Qualifications and Awards:

Permaculture Designer, Paediatric Infant and Child First Aid, Emergency First Aid at Work.

Interests:

I’m a super active human! I love Rock Climbing, Running and Surfing. But I will do anything that gets me moving among my natural surroundings. I’m also a massive enthusiast for sustainable living so Permaculture alongside Education is a big one too.

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favourite is definitely Minecraft Vs Wildcraft, it gets the children's creative and logical minds firing whilst setting up shelters, which is such a useful skill to learn. Plus the activity allows their imaginations to run wild, as well as mine!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I’d love to say that I would be something majestic like a Lion or an Elephant, but I can hear all my friends protesting to that notion. I’d most likely be a Mountain Goat, always climbing, always eating, also a little cheeky from time to time.

What do you love about the outdoors?

Freedom! It allows for such a range of expression, which has really helped me cultivate the person I am today, and a big reason why I love working for The Outdoor Project. There’s nothing better than seeing Children feel comfortable in nature and being… well... Children!

Qualifications and Awards:

Paediatric Infant and Child First Aid, Emergency First Aid at Work.

Interests:

My first true passion is playing and watching football. I come from a football mad family who love to get together to watch big games. During lockdown I developed a fascination for cooking, I have always loved food and making a dish I really enjoy is very satisfying. My speciality is S’moreoes! One of favourite things is to go hiking. West Sussex is a beautiful area full of stunning scenery and fascinating animals and I’d highly recommend everyone goes out and sees it.

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favourite outdoors project activity is campfire cookout. This day gives the children a chance to cook tasty treats around campfires which teaches them valuable skills involving food and fire. The kids also get a chance to tell campfire stories that always manage to be both spooky and hilarious at the same time.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal I would be an orangutan as they are very calm and friendly but also have a very loud voice when they need it!

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the freedom of the outdoors and I believe it gives the opportunity for people to express themselves more. There is so much more to see outside the house and its where people make the most memories!

Qualifications and Awards:

Emergency First Aid at Work (L3), Mental Health/ Crisis First Aid (L1), Diploma in Social Care, High Education in Effective Youth Work and L2 Safeguarding Young People.

Interests:

I love rock climbing, sea swimming, paddle boarding, cycling and lots of running! I do however really enjoy some downtime and I have a strong passion for yoga, meditation and reading.

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favorite activities are of course the ones we get to all be big kids too, so I love the nerf day and Harry Potter days, but I also love shelter building and fire lighting activities as I feel this is a great survival lesson to be teaching children.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

My friends often describe me as a Squirrel Monkey, because I am small but mighty and am often halfway up a tree!

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love being outside and in nature because of the freedom it brings and there is so much to explore, discover, learn and places to get muddy! I find nature is a great way to ground myself and connect with every little thing around us.

Qualifications and Awards:

Paediatric Infant and Child First Aid, Emergency First Aid at Work.

Interests:

I love Mountain Biking mainly but really anything with wheels and exploring the outdoors!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favourite ODP activity is firelighting because it's such a great skill, as well as being really encouraging when you successfully do it! But I also can't help but love Nerf, getting camo'd up with everyone and having a good time!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal I would be a snow leopard, because I love how stealthy they are. Plus they look really cool.

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love being able to just be outside! It's always different even if you go to the same places and I love exploring new things and all the amazing outdoors has to offer!

Qualifications and Awards:

BTec National Diploma in Sport, Level 2: Autism Awareness

Interests:

I love going to new places and exploring! Recently I have been finding waterfalls all over the country to visit, so whenever we go somewhere new, we try and find one nearby! I also love food and going to food festivals around the U.K! Mini Golfing and Drinking Slushies on a hot day :)

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

Harry Potter day or Water Day. I can't pick just one as they are both really good for different reasons! Harry Potter because we make brooms and potions, which the kids love! Water day because everyone just gets wet and has fun!!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

My favourite Animal is a Turtle, so I guess I would be one. I love how they swim in the sea and just think there really cool, cute Animals! 

What do you love about the outdoors?

Being in the fresh Air and taking in the beautiful scenery all around me! There is nothing better than the Great Outdoors!

Qualifications and Awards:

Outdoor first aid trained, Paddlesport Instructor.

Interests:

My interests are being in nature, dancing with the fairys!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

My favorite ODP activity is making dreams catchers, this is because they are very satisfying to make from beautiful colours and they catch all my bad dreams, so I sleep well at night.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I were an animal, I would be a hyena because they always have something to laugh about!

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the outdoors because it offers many opportunities that are suitable for all types of people and I am free to do what I love.

Qualifications and Awards:

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

Interests:

I love playing piano, roller skating, water sports, walking, dancing!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

I would have to say the Harry Potter day is my absolute favourite. I am a big Harry Potter fan so to be able to share my Harry Potter knowledge with everyone is so fun!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would definitely be a Indian wolf! Their big ears are the cutest and I would be able to explore the world on all fours.

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love to admire all the wonders that nature can bring, feeling the fresh air always makes me excited!

Qualifications and Awards:

Paediatric First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Adult Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding.

Interests:

I am ODP's Circus guy! I love teaching circus skills, performing with fire, fire eating and breathing, stilt walking and balloon modelling!

What is your favourite ODP activity and why?

Circus days of course! But outside of that, I love the massive variety of different games we play!

If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I were an animal, I would be a Rhino. Strong and protective, but also quiet and chilled.

What do you love about the outdoors?

I love the different landscapes and environments. The different types of trees, plants and wildlife you find throughout the different parts of the world. And how every one is so amazingly scenic in its own way.

Rob heads up the West Sussex side of the business. Until 2016 he had been working in business development but his love of having adventures in the Canadian wilderness, camping as much as possible, scuba diving and generally enjoying the outdoors meant the lure of making his passions his work was too strong to resist!

Qualifications and Awards

First Aid qualified, Enhanced DBS, Designated Safeguarding Officer - Level 3, Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diver...and a 2:1 in Literature and Philosophy

Interests

Hiking, camping, yoga and curry! (Both preparing and consuming)

Favourite ODP activity or game and why?

Has to be NERF wars, the kids just absolutely love them and get so into the battles, it’s great fun to watch.

If you were an animal what would you be?

A killer whale, the undisputed lords of the ocean, highly intelligent with complex social structures and hierarchies, super cool.

What do you love about the outdoors?

In an age when we are constantly bombarded with distraction and connected to technology I love the peace you find from walking in the woods or the fun you can have playing simple games in a park. There’s something timeless about it, and the positive effects for mind and body are indisputable.