Petersburg provides quality programmes using the outdoor environment as a catalyst, and experiential learning as a process, to aid personal development, enhance lives and improve an understanding of the natural environment and encourage conservation values.
This is our mission statement and the programmes provided at Petersburg have various elements including adventure sports, team tasks and a residential experience.
Adventure sports involve risk, although what is provided at Petersburg is really a perceived risk due to our standard of safety and our experienced, qualified staff. What we are trying to do is to introduce students to activities and experiences which bring a greater ‘buzz’ than any amount of alcohol or drugs, giving them a natural high that encourages them to develop these experiences into potentially life-long leisure activities.
A sense of well-being
Most young people today do not exercise enough and many are not interested in team sports. Even if they participate in team sports they rarely continue after their twenties but there are many people participating in outdoor activities into their middle age and older.
They cite the healing power and the sense of well being that comes from nature and being outdoors as encouraging fitness and contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
The natural environment encourages mindfulness and can be an antidote from the stresses of everyday living. We try to get students to disconnect from mobile devices and social media while at Petersburg.
The team tasks elements include icebreakers and activities that encourage individuals to work as part of a team. It also encourages problem solving, lateral and creative thinking and allows participants achieve a sense of satisfaction through the completion of tasks.
Independence and maturity
The residential experience is often the first opportunity young people experience away from home and is a step on the way to independence and maturity. Groups tend to form a temporary community while they are here and bond together while completing communal tasks such as setting tables and washing dishes.
Young people remember the Petersburg experience much more and long after the shine has gone from any medals and cups that might have been won in other sporting endeavours. It is often cited as the highlight of their school experience. Why not give them this opportunity to build memories that will stay with them through life?
At Petersburg the following programmes can be provided:
• Adventure sports programmes – residential and day groups
• Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied and Gaisce award programmes and Junior Cycle Programmes
• Field studies in geography and ecology
• Team building programmes
• Skills courses in kayaking, mountaineering, orienteering and canoeing
• Camp craft and Expeditions
• Cursaí trí Ghaeilge
• Summer camps
Petersburg is located on the southern shore of Lough Mask in County Galway and operates under the auspices of Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board.
For anyone interested in their child having an educational, rewarding, enjoyable and most importantly safe experience contact the centre at the address below for a brochure or visit the website for more information.
Find OUT MORE:
Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Clonbur, Co. Galway
www.petersburg.ie | E: info@petersburg.ie
T: 094-9546483 / 094-9546416
