Marjon Alumni

1. Marjon Alumni

2. Izzy Cramp
BA Outdoor Adventure Education
I am currently working as a “Learning Outside the Classroom” practitioner and am
soon to be the department manager at Courtlands Special School, Plymouth. I instruct
sailing twice a week; coaching young sailors and supporting at events.
I enjoy racing dinghies and yachts in Plymouth Sound and the Solent. I also chair the
South West Institute of Outdoor Learning.
Marjon Memories
The unforgettable experience of climbing the Penon de Ifach, Costa Blanca; leading
one of the last pitches on the Via Valencianos. I remember pulling up over the top Au
Cheval to an amazing view. I felt empowered and taken aback by the secret that had
been hiding for 10 pitches; it was incredible!
Sharing experiences with friends, being guided and cared for by new friends and
knowing that someone else knows exactly what happened.
Being inspired and excited by learning and discovery! My eagerness and curiosity to
discover new things. Wanting to go home and read more!
Being in the Rhinogs and lying under a vast expanse of stars uninterrupted by
pollution, seeing satellites and shooting stars pass. Truly magical.
Paddling down the River Dart and being followed by a seal.
The freedom of sailing across Torbay.
The intrepidation of the river drop ahead of me.

3. Tom Fremlin
MA Outdoor Learning
I grew up in Plymouth which is a city surrounded by the great outdoors and spent a good
deal of time out-and-about in Plymbridge Woods, Dartmoor and on family holidays in
Cornwall!
Music was also a huge part of my life and in my teens I discovered festivals and spent a
huge amount of time camping, enjoying the fireside sessions and the outdoor lifestyle.
Skip a few years and I wound up going to York to study History and Politics.
Leaving university, the obvious choice was a stint of cheese making in Wensleydale
followed by a fantastic year on a 'Working Holiday' in New Zealand. I found myself back in
the UK at a time when there were very few jobs available. Living back in Plymouth, I was
lucky enough to find an opportunity at the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust. Where I realised
that enabling others to have fun in the outdoors could be a profession!
Amazingly, I discovered that just up the road from home I could study for an MA in Outdoor
Learning. The course was fascinating, providing insight into not only how people learn
from their experiences but also why such experiences are so valuable in the context of
modern society.
The current stage on the journey was getting a job at Sherborne Girls School, initially as a
DoE assistant but now as more 'Head of Adventure' type role (I like the title). In my five
years at the school, the award scheme has grown in numbers but also in scope.
The critical thing that I look to do is inspire people to love the outdoors as I do and to seek
adventure for themselves. I am hoping that this shift in ethos will embed itself at the
school for many years to come, and that people will not tire of my incessant singing
around the campfire!

4. Matt Sanders
BA Outdoor Adventure education
My memories from the course were the practical sessions canoeing and
kayaking down various rivers and undertaking my Powerboat Level 2
qualification.
Since leaving Marjon I have gone on to successfully complete my CertEd
and now work as a lecturer at Petroc College, situated in North Devon.
I now deliver BTEC Level 2 and 3 programmes in Outdoor Adventure,
Public Services and Sport.
Since leaving Marjon I have also undertaken a summer alpine
mountaineering course in Switzerland through the ISM and have gained
many outdoor NGB qualifications.

5. Becky Brown
BA Outdoor Adventure Education
Owner of a handmade hat company and Expedition leader.
Marjon Memories
I have great memories of my first climbing experiences and outdoor
activities which have lead me on to some great adventures.
Through Outdoor Adventure at Marjon I went on my first sport climbing
trip! I fell in love with the sport! I am currently travelling around Europe
finding some of the best sport climbing venues in the world!
BA Outdoor Adventure Education was great for a good start in the outdoor
industry and learning to work with young people.

6. Ben Hughes
Outdoor Adventure Education
I’m currently working in the UK, taking 'Ru-Slack' the slackline-based Social Enterprise I
founded (whilst at Marjon) all over England, Wales and further afield.
Last winter I worked out in the Middle East taking people slacklining, trekking, climbing,
deep water soloing and mountain biking.
As the outdoor scene over there is exploding, I foresee myself spending a number of winters
out there.
To find out a little more about Ru-Slack please visit www.ru-slack.co.uk.
Marjon Memories
I have too many good memories of my time at Marjon however I think overall it would have
to be:
The journeys we made both on the water and on land. From walking the River Plym in its
entirety to paddling the great estuaries of South Devon.
The adventures we as students went on; I remember lots of good times out on the rivers of
the South West. One of the best things about this was the friendships formed during our
exploits.
The hard work. By the third year I had really started to enjoy the learning experience. It
may sound strange but upon reflection I enjoyed the work load and the challenge of
achieving the grade I had set myself.

7. Liz Eustace
BA Sports Development and Outdoor Adventure
I previously instructed in the outdoors but am now an Occupational
Therapist, currently in working in the NHS in North Devon and still have
a passion for the outdoors.
I incorporate the outdoors into my practice and last year (before
qualifying) presented a poster at the national conference for
Occupational Therapists.
I've also been to Bangladesh to help teach skills to carers for spinal
injured patients.

8. Jodi Glin
BA Outdoor Adventure Education I am currently working as a business support co-ordinator, for a recycling
company, dealing with everything from waste to energy to general waste
segregation.
The main focus being to reduced waste to landfill and recycle as much as
possible!
Marjon Memories
Highlights were the trips! Anything where we were all together having fun,
sharing stories but at the same time learning. What I liked most about the
course was the size of the lectures and classes. It was really great to have such
a small ratio of students to lecturers. I really felt that I could approach any
one of the lecturers about a broad range of subjects and they always made
time for students.
One of my favourite memories of the course is producing a video that showed
how to prepare to go on a kayak expedition it was so much fun working with
my friends to produce a fun and educational video!
The link with Camp America that Marjon have is a great asset to the University.
Having the opportunity to be a part of the elite Camp America team was the
best experience to finish off the greatest three years of my life and I owe that
to Marjon.