Larch Hill & the Environment

Larch Hill International Scout & Guide Centre is committed to protecting the environment and promote environmental understanding. The centre is committed to protecting its natural environment, minimising its environmental impact and enabling all who are connected with the centre to engage with nature and become empowered to make their own personal commitment to the environment.

Larch Hill endeavors to lead by example and act as a positive role model to other scout and non-scout centres, to its guests and local community. The centre provides real hands-on educational activities for scouts and training opportunities for leaders, equipping them with the enthusiasm for nature and a desire to do something positivefor the environment in their home-life.  

Environmental education is important to Larch Hill and Scouting Ireland. It allows scouts to explore the natural environment and to learn how they are connected with nature.

As part of Larch Hill's environmental initiative, Larch Hill International Scout & Guide has a range of Eco Adventure Activities. These activities are self led and suitable for all ages from beaver scouts to scouters. There are currently 13 Eco Adventure Activities aimed to create awareness in many different environmental issues. These activities are available from the Larch Hill Eco Adventure board located in the campsites reception. These Eco Adventure Activities do not have to take place in Larch Hill, they are available to download HERE. Why not incorporate some of these activities into your programme at your next meeting or activity or next time your on the Hill, call into campsite reception and our staff would be happy to suggest some activities for you and your group.  

 

Larch Hill International Scout Centre's Environmental Policy 

Larch Hill International Scout & Guide Centre strives to take a leading role in the development towards a more environmentally sustainable society. This will be done by ensuring a minimisation of the environmental impact, a high training standard of the staff on environmental issues and an active promotion of both environmental activities and environmental awareness to Guests. Larch Hill shall at least comply with local and global legislation and recommendations and make every effort to accomplish the points below; following a combination of what is technically possible, economically viable and ecologically motivated. 

Staff & Guests

  • Provide all staff with sufficient training to have good environmental knowledge and to make environmentally sound decisions.
  • strongly encourage all travel to and while in Larch Hill to be done in a way that minimises the enviromental impact.
  • Encourage guests to participate in environmental activities. 
  • Educate guests by raising awareness of local & global environmental issues.
  • Encourage and educate guests and staff to take action for a better environment. 
Property & Grounds
  • Use renewable energy whenever possible.
  • Monitor, minimise and efficiently use water, electricity, oil, petrol and diesel.
  • Minimise the production of waste through the method of Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle.
  • Maintain or expand the natural biodiversity of the grounds.
  • Perform an environmental impact assessment before any major change is done to property.
Suppliers & Products
  • Keep consumption of products in line with guest numbers.
  • Have clear guidlines to ensure the environmental outcome from production, use and disposal is considered when new products are bought.
  • Give priority to products and companies with clear acknowledged environmental profiles, certificates or labels and/or locally produced products.
  • Promote environmental best practice from business partners and encourage a shared responsibility for the local environment. 
Actions to ensure progress
Together with this policy the centre will have a clarifying document, an action plan and current situation analysis. the current situation analysis is to be reviewed annually while the action plan has goals that are specific to time, but should be updated to keep in line with the current situation analysis findings.  The policy and all related documents shall be reviewed and updated according to new findings after 2 years.