The following project was a response to a request to deliver a gender specific opportunity for young men and women. Both groups expressed the value and enjoyment of spending time in their own gender group and how the experience would have been less valuable in a mixed group. For the write-up on the young men's training, see 'Exposure' Young Men.

'Exposure' Young Women (May 2013)

Supporting 16 to 25 year-old young women to gain a Forest School Level 1 qualification

A 4-day residential held at Embercombe on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, delivered as a partnership with Otterhead Forest School and Embercombe.

18 young women aged between 15 and 30, over half of them not in employment, education or training, spent four days developing the practical, personal and leadership skills that will enable them to work towards becoming a qualified Forest School leader or working with groups in nature.

Feedback from participants included development of self-confidence, an awareness of the power of nature to aid learning and self-reflection. All said they planned to take forward the training to higher levels or to incorporate the activities into their work or personal lives:

My confidence has improved both with people and my environment
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
I most appreciated the teaching skills I have learnt and also the spiritual side of getting to know the environment.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
I want to teach in a much calmer environment using the outdoors as much as possible.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
I feel I could organise and take groups of children outside and do activities whereas before I was not confident to do this.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
I have learnt different approaches to teaching which I much prefer.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
Watching how the leaders managed our group has really inspired me.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)
I think the more time I spend in nature, the more comfortable I feel with myself. It reminds me of who I am.
Participant, Exposure - Young Women (May 2013)