The Welsh Conservative MS for North Wales, Sam Rowlands, has won the chance to present his own Bill to the Senedd after winning the annual ballot.
Rowlands, who is also the Shadow Minister for Local Government, will now take his Outdoor Education Bill through the legislative process as he seeks cross-party support to make it law.
The purpose of the Bill is to ensure councils provide young people with at least one week of residential outdoor education at some stage during their school years, allowing them to visit facilities like Glanllyn and Llangrannog.
Centres like these focus on building character, teamwork, and outdoor skills, removing children from their comfort zones and screens to place them in new immersive experiences to help them become more rounded individuals.
The intention is to ensure that the residential outdoor education provided would fall on schools rather than parents, removing financial barriers to those on low incomes, all the more important as the cost-of-living rises.
The Welsh Conservative MS has had experience in local government having served as Leader of Conwy County Borough Council before being elected to the Senedd where he led a coalition administration.
His colleague, Peter Fox MS, is currently taking his Food Bill through the law-making process after winning the ballot last year and securing the necessary support to take it onto the next stage despite attempts from the Labour Government to block this.
Commenting, Sam Rowlands MS said:
“I am delighted to have the chance to take forward my Bill and hope to persuade those across parties to back my proposal.
“Should the Bill become law, young people will have the chance to have great adventures, become more rounded and confident young adults, as residential outdoor education is provided for them.
“The timing of this is more important than ever, with many of our young people isolating for such a long time during the pandemic, their mental and physical wellbeing being hampered, much of which can be supported with outdoor activities.
“It would be fantastic for every young person to have the chance to attend places like Glanllyn and Llangrannog learn team and leadership skills whilst appreciating the incredible environment on our doorsteps.
“I look forward to the coming months and making my case to the Welsh Parliament.”
