Our Managment team and committee
Is made up of Fergus and Michael.
Our Instructors and mentors
Mark Kelly
(Head Facilitator)
Mark Kelly has been working in Outdoor Education for over 15 years. He holds several NGB qualifications in a wide range of outdoor activities and also holds a degree and a HND in outdoor education.
Mark has had extensive experience of working with people from a range of backgrounds. In the last ten years he has worked as a project worker and head outdoor instructor for Extern, organising and facilitating diversionary and personal development activities and programmes with at risk young people. In that time he has also and is presently employed on a part time by WELB as an outdoor instructor and the Western Health & Social Care Trust as a Residential Social Worker and be-friender/mentor. Having freelanced for numerous agencies for several years Mark set up his own company, Four Elements Adventure; which acts as an extension to his freelance work. Four Elements was born out of his passion for the outdoors, more specifically using the outdoors as a medium for experiential learning in order to address the challenges faced by all kinds of people in everyday life. Using his 15 years outdoor education knowledge and skills Four Elements was launched initially with a focus on Adventure Learning and its ethos.
Mark appreciates how challenging outdoor activities can be used to; accelerate learning and growth processes; encourage a sense of well-being thereby boosting self esteem; and enhance physical and mental health. He has seen firsthand how young people, adults and families have overcome personal trauma and struggles by partaking in individual and group adventure activities.
Mark is highly experienced in planning, involvement of service users and delivery of a wide range of programmes and initiatives. He has also vast experience of social work protocol, recording systems, attending LAC reviews, case conferences, core groups, child protection and youth conferences. Through Four Elements Adventure he has designed and delivered personal development programmes aimed at empowering people from all walks of life.
Mark is currently registered with NISSC, TCI trained and member of the Institute of Outdoor Learning, the Canoe Association of N. Ireland and the British Mountaineering Council.
Robin Ferguson
(Instructor, Technical Expert, Duke of Edinburgh trainer and assessor)
Robin embarked on Mountain Leader training through Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre and successfully completed by M/L Certificate in 1994. He uses this experience to instigate Duke of Edinburgh and President Award Schemes in post primary schools in County Fermanagh and Tyrone. He is also employed to operate Adult learning courses up to Mountain Leader level at Gortatole. During this past year he has also been employed by Extern on a contract basis to deliver sessions for KEY Project at Roscor Village, Enniskillen.
In 1994 through Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre, he gained Level 2 Coach Open Canoe and has used this qualification to coach young people and adults up to ‘Two Star’. He has also trained and supervised Duke of Edinburgh and President Award Canoe Expeditions to enable young people achieve their Bronze, Silver & Gold Awards. He is also a Duke of Edinburgh Accredited Assessor for canoeing and Hill walking and regularly assesses Groups in Ireland and the English lakes.
He currently holds a part time post of Curriculum Development Field Officer promoting good community relations for the Western Education and Library Board, Youth Service.
Robin has worked with the Scouts in cross community setting for past 30 years and currently holds Deputy County Commissioners position. Further to his personal active involvement in the Scout movement he was awarded the Medal of Merit and Chief Scouts Commendation which is a prestigious Award in Scouting.
He was also the recipient of a special Award for Cross Community work given by the Chief Scout of Ireland for the first time ever.
Robin has an OCN youth work qualification, is a Leave No Trace trainer and is currently a member of the Canoe Association of N. Ireland and the British Mountaineering Council.
Sophie Kelly
(Head of Education)
Sophie is Four Elements education and media expert. A highly experienced educator Sophie currently holds the position of Associate Lecturer in Media at the South West College, Omagh Campus. As an education facilitator and programme co-ordinator Sophie designs programmes to appeal to all learning styles focused on an individual’s strengths.