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Outdoor education

Outdoor education is organized learning that takes place in the outdoors, typically during school camping trips. Outdoor education programs sometimes involve residential or journey wilderness-based experiences in which students participate in a variety of adventurous challenges and outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, canoeing, ropes courses and group games. Outdoor education draws upon the philosophy, theory, and practices of experiential education and environmental education.

An outdoor visual arts class going on in National College of Arts, Pakistan
A group of Outward Bound participants with physical disabilities after completing a ropes course, c. 1996.

Scope edit

Outdoor education has diverse goals and practices, but always involves learning about, in, and through the outdoors.

Definitions edit

Outdoor education can be simply defined as experiential learning in, for, or about the outdoors. The term 'outdoor education', however, is used broadly to refer to a range of organized activities that take place in a variety of ways in predominantly outdoor environments. Common definitions of outdoor education are difficult to achieve because interpretations vary according to culture, philosophy, and local conditions.[1]

Outdoor education is often referred to as synonymous with outdoor learning, outdoor school, forest schools and wilderness education. Outdoor education often uses or draws upon related elements and/or informs related areas, such as teaching students how to pitch tents and cook over a campfire. The hallmark of outdoor education is its focus on the "outdoor" side of this education; whereas adventure education would focus on the adventure side and environmental education would focus on environmental. Expeditionary education involves expeditions into wilderness "where man is but a visitor." All of these activities typically involve experiential education.

Education outside the classroom edit

 
Freshmen at Wyoming Catholic College hike in the Teton Mountains during a three-week backpacking course.

"Education outside the classroom" describes school curriculum learning, other than with a class of students sitting in a room with a teacher and books. It encompasses biology field trips and searching for insects in the school garden, as well as indoor activities like observing stock control in a local shop, or visiting a museum. It is a concept currently enjoying a revival because of the recognition of benefits from the more active style. The Education and Skills Committee[2] of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom has reported that it brings history and art to life, develops social skills, and clearly enhances geography and science.,.[3] There are key policies in place for outdoor learning in England,[4] Scotland[5] and Wales.

Despite the evidence supporting an extension of educational camping and outdoor learning for children, there are a number of obstacles in the way. One of these obstacles is risk aversion amongst teachers, parents and others, raising reluctance to such diverse and physical tasks. The journalist Tim Gill has written about parental and institutional risk aversion affecting many activities with children in his book "No Fear".[6] Another obstacle is the perceived high cost of facilitating outdoor learning. Creating an outdoor learning environment needn't cost a great deal, however. The UK Early Years Framework Stage, which outlines best practice in Early Years teaching, asserts that: "Outdoor learning is more effective when adults focus on what children need to be able to do rather than what children need to have. An approach that considers experiences rather than equipment places children at the centre of learning and ensures that individual children's learning and developmental needs are taken account of and met effectively"[7]

Linda Tallent, a UK-based educational consultant who has worked extensively with schools to develop their outdoor spaces into learning environments, agrees. She believes that by focusing on activities and skill development, it is possible to develop an outdoor learning curriculum on a 'shoe string'.[8] She cites a comment by Will Nixon, who reminds readers that 'Using the real world is the way learning has happened for 99.9% of human existence. Only in the last hundred years have we put it into a little box called a classroom.'.[9] Tallent also refers to evidence from a number of studies that the most effective way of learning is through participation, and calls on educators to make a special effort to create opportunities for children to participate in their learning.

Aims edit

Some typical aims of outdoor education are to:

  • learn how to overcome adversity;
  • enhance personal and social development;
  • develop a deeper relationship with nature;
  • boost self-confidence when camping with classmates;
  • raise attainment through better teaching and learning experiences.

Outdoor education spans the three domains of self, others, and the natural world. The relative emphasis of these three domains varies from one program to another. An outdoor education program can, for example, emphasize one (or more) of these aims to:

Outdoor education is often used as a means to create a deeper sense of place for people in a community. Sense of place is manifested through the understanding and connection that one has with the area in which they reside. Sense of place is an important aspect of environmentalism as well as environmental justice because it makes the importance of sustaining a particular ecosystem that much more personal to an individual.[10]

History edit

 
Field trip: school children outdoors listening to man, c. 1899, US

Modern outdoor education owes its beginnings to separate initiatives. Organized camping was evident in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Europe, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The Scouting movement, established in the UK in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell, employs non-formal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities. The first Outward Bound centre at Aberdyfi in Wales was established during the Second World War. The Forest schools of Denmark are examples of European programs with similar aims and objectives.

Key outdoor education pioneers include Kurt Hahn, a German educator who founded schools such as the Schule Schloss Salem in Germany; the United World Colleges movement, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (which emphasizes community service, craftsmanship skills, physical skill, and outdoor expeditions), and the Outward Bound movement.

The second half of the twentieth century saw rapid growth of outdoor education in all sectors (state, voluntary, and commercial) with an ever-widening range of client groups and applications. In this period Outward Bound spread to over 40 countries, including the US in the 1960s. Other US based outdoor education programs include Project Adventure and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Project Adventure focuses on day use of ropes courses. NOLS uses the outdoor setting to train leaders for outdoor programs and for other settings including training every new US astronaut and 10% of the US Naval Academy. The Association for Experiential Education is a professional association for "experiential" educators. The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) is a consortium of college outdoor education programs with a standard curriculum based on an academic model. (See also North America in the Around the World section.)

A history of outdoor education in the UK has been documented by Lyn Cook (1999),[11] and a history of outdoor education in New Zealand has been published in Pip Lynch's Camping in the Curriculum (2007).[12]

Philosophy and theory edit

Philosophy and theory about outdoor education tends to emphasize the effect of natural environments on human beings, the educative role of stress and challenge, and experiential learning.[1]

One view is that participants are at their "rawest" level when outdoors because they are "stripped" of many of the conveniences of modern life. Participants can become more aware that they are part of a greater ecosystem and are not as bound by social customs and norms. In essence participants can be true to themselves and more able to see others as people regardless of race, class, religion etc. Outdoor education also helps instill the basic elements of teamwork because participants often need to work together and rely on others. For many people a high ropes course or an outdoor activity may stretch their comfort zone and cause them to challenge themselves physically which in turn can lead to challenging oneself mentally.[citation needed]

The roots of modern outdoor education can be found in the philosophical work of:

 
The Outward Bound Process Model, adapted from Walsh and Golins (1976).[13]

Foundational work on the philosophy of outdoor education includes work by:

A wide range of social science and specific outdoor education theories and models have been applied in an effort to better understand outdoor education. Amongst the key theoretical models or concepts are:

Around the world edit

Outdoor education occurs, in one form or another, in most if not all countries of the world. However, it can be implemented very differently, depending on the cultural context. Some countries, for example, view outdoor education as synonymous with environmental education, whilst other countries treat outdoor education and environmental education as distinct. Modern forms of outdoor education are most prevalent in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and to some extent Asia and Africa.[citation needed][14] Many outdoor Education programs were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

UK edit

The English Outdoor Council, an umbrella body, defines outdoor education as a way for students and teachers to be fully engaged in a lesson, all the while embracing the outdoors. The EOC deems outdoor education as "providing depth to the curriculum and makes an important contribution to students' physical, personal and social education.".[15] In the UK, Learning through Landscapes champion the use of School Grounds as a cost effective, easily accessible place of learning and play. Forest School.[16] is also fashionable in the UK, providing a very specialist approach to personal development within the wider context of Outdoor Learning.

Australia and New Zealand edit

Throughout Australia & New Zealand many school students undertake outdoor / outdoor and environmental education. Aust / NZ have several outdoor education degrees and vocational outdoor recreation programs. Once teachers and outdoor leaders have completed their studies, many have opportunities to work in schools, private organizations or various outdoor education centres in either country. Outdoor Education is mandated as part of the New Zealand Health and Physical Education as one of the 7 key areas of learning. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority with support from Outdoor Education Australia has developed curriculum documents to support schools to conduct outdoor education throughout the country primarily through the learning areas of Science, Health and Physical Education and Humanities.

Canada edit

Environmental education, most notably outdoor education in Canada is seen through outdoor camp and residential programs, school-based programs and commercial travel operations. Outdoor education in Canada is based around "hard" technical skills—often travel and camping skills—and the "soft"—group skills and personal growth qualities—are blended with, one might say, the "green" and "warm" skills of a complementary eco-adventure focus."[17] Adventures are found whether one is partaking in environmental awareness or team-building workshops throughout Canada.

Denmark edit

Denmark is known as one of the more environmentally conscious countries in the developed world. One of the ways in which this presents itself, is through the forest school system that exists there. Children are taught in the woods using nature and animals to learn about basic environmental education as well as the fundamental elementary education that is required.[18]

Finland edit

At Finnish schools, the term “outdoor education” represents teaching and learning that takes place outside the classroom with the aim to achieve goals in the National core curriculum for basic education as and in the National core curriculum for upper secondary schools. In the upper secondary schools (students aged 16–18), the theme is “Sustainable development”. Students are encouraged to pursue a sustainable lifestyle, to take action for sustainable development, and to examine the challenges of SD.[19] Some vocational institutes offer secondary lever degree in Nature and Environmental Studies focusing mainly to tourism and experience industries.[20] Humak University of Applied Sciences offers a bachelor's degree in Adventure and Outdoor Education in its English language programme focusing on the technical skills for the adventure sports and pedagogy, tourism and entrepreneurship. Annually 20 students are taken in to the programme.[21] In addition Humak University of Applied Sciences offers updating education for teachers and persons active in adventure sports in their Open University of Applied Sciences.[22]

France edit

Alain Kerjean founded in 1986 "Hors Limites-Outward Bound France", adaptation to adults of active pedagogy and introduces in France apprentissage par l'expérience movement. The first Latin country member of this network. Honnor president : SAS Prince Albert of Monaco. In 1994 was founded two bodies : Association Apprendre par l'expérience (youth), and SARL Expérientiel (corporate). From 2008, Alain Kerjean develops Outdoor Education for universities in Romania and advises in France training organizations wishing to design programs based on this pedagogy. His books and articles make available Anglo-Saxon research and publications on the subject to the French public.[citation needed]

Spain edit

The first major and highly publicized outdoor learning project was Ruta Quetzal. Launched with assistance of king Juan Carlos in 1979, it was heavily focused on exploring cross-Atlantic Hispanidad cultural links and for decades was managed by the adventurer and media celebrity, Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo. The project is ongoing. There are numerous similar though less ambitious schemes currently operational, e.g. Rumbo al Sur, annual tours in Africa managed by a TV reality-show star Telmo Aldaz de la Quadra-Salcedo.[23]

Research and critical views edit

There is much anecdotal evidence about benefits of outdoor education experiences; teachers, for example, often speak of the improvement they have in relationships with students following a trip. However, hard evidence showing that outdoor education has a demonstrable long-term effect on behaviour or educational achievement is harder to identify; this may be in part because of the difficulty involved in conducting studies which separate out the effects of outdoor education on meaningful outcomes.

A major meta-analysis of 97 empirical studies indicated a positive overall effect of adventure education programs on outcomes such as self-concept, leadership, and communication skills.[24] This study also indicated that there appeared to be ongoing positive effects. The largest empirical study of the effects of outdoor education programs (mostly Outward Bound programs) found small-moderate short-term positive impacts on a diverse range of generic life skills, with the strongest outcomes for longer, expedition-based programs with motivated young adults, and partial long-term retention of these gains.[25]

In "Adventure in a Bun", Chris Loynes[26] has suggested that outdoor education is increasingly an entertainment park consumption experience. In a paper entitled "The Generative Paradigm",[27] Loynes has also called for an increase in "creativity, spontaneity and vitality".

Outdoor education has been found more beneficial to those students who find classroom learning more challenging[citation needed]. Maynard, Waters & Clement (2013)[28] found that, resonating with their previous findings, the teachers in their study reported "that when engaged in child-initiated activity in the outdoor environment, over half of the children who in the classroom were perceived to be 'underachieving' appeared to behave differently" (p. 221). Their work aims to support the notion that the more natural outdoor spaces in which child-initiated activities take place both directly and indirectly diminish the perception of underachievement. This is important because a number of studies have shown that expectations based on perception of students is important for student learning.

This may also be due to a non-academic family background, or a personal psychological trait such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

When German children from forest kindergartens went to primary school, teachers observed a significant improvement in reading, writing, mathematics, social interactions and many other areas.[29] A yearlong study was done where a group of 9th and 12th grade students learned through outdoor education. The focus was on raising the critical thinking skills of the students as a measure of improvement, where critical thinking was defined to be, "the process of purposeful self-regulatory judgment and decision making". The problem solving capabilities included the ability of students to interpret, to analyze, to evaluate, to infer, to explain and to self-regulate. Researchers found that both 9th and 12th graders scored higher than the control groups in critical thinking by a significant amount.[30] Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for learning (EIC) is the foundation of a substantial report[31] which found benefits in learning outside the classroom on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies; reduced discipline problems; and increased enthusiasm for learning and pride in accomplishments.

Trends edit

There are several important trends and changing circumstances for outdoor education, including:

See also edit

Activities edit

Associations edit

Organizations edit

People edit

Topics edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Outdoor recreation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.trunity.net/lifegermination/topics/view/23121/
  2. ^ Education and Skills Committee, House of Commons
  3. ^ Education Outside the Classroom (PDF). House of Commons. 2005.
  4. ^ "Outdoor Learning Policies England| Learning through Landscapes".
  5. ^ "Outdoor learning in Scotland | Learning through Landscapes".
  6. ^ Gill, Tim (2007). (PDF). Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-903080-08-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-06.
  7. ^ Early Years Framework Stage 'Effective Practice: Outdoor Learning", 2007 (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ Linda Tallent, 'Outdoor Learning', 2007
  9. ^ Will Nixon, 'Letting Nature Shape Childhood', The Amicus Journal, Fall 1997, in Linda Tallent 'Outdoor Learning' 2007
  10. ^ Kudryavtsev, Alex; Krasny, Marianne E.; Stedman, Richard C. (2012-04-01). "The impact of environmental education on sense of place among urban youth". Ecosphere. 3 (4): art29. doi:10.1890/ES11-00318.1. ISSN 2150-8925.
  11. ^ Cook L. (1999). The 1944 Education Act and outdoor education: from policy to practice. History of Education, 28 (2), 157-172. ISBN 0-473-10583-7
  12. ^ Lynch, P. (?). Camping in the Curriculum: A History of Outdoor Education in New Zealand Schools. PML publications, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.
  13. ^ a b Walsh, V., & Golins, G. L. (1976). The exploration of the Outward Bound process. Denver, CO: Colorado Outward Bound School.
  14. ^ Lee, Chermaine (2022-01-24). "Why some Asian schools are going wild". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  15. ^ English Outdoor Council. (n.d.). "High Quality Outdoor Education" (PDF). English Outdoor Council. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "What Is Forest School?".
  17. ^ Henderson, B., & Potter, G. T. (n.d.). Outdoor Adventure Education in Canada: Seeking The Country Way Back In. 227-242.
  18. ^ "Early Nature Lessons in Denmark's Forest Preschools -The official website of Denmark". denmark.dk. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  19. ^ "Opetussuunnitelma ja ympäristökasvatus - LYKE-verkosto". finland.fi. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  20. ^ "Luonto ja ympäristöalan perustutkinto 2014" (PDF). finland.fi. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  21. ^ "Bachelor's Degree in Adventure and Outdoor Education". finland.fi. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  22. ^ "Suomen makein avoimen amk:n opintojakso? Seikkailukasvatus Humakissa". finland.fi. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  23. ^ La expedición «Madrid Rumbo al Sur» reconoce problemas de financiación, [in:] ABC 10.09.2013
  24. ^ Hattie, J. A., Marsh, H. W., Neill, J. T. & Richards, G. E. (1997). Adventure education and Outward Bound: Out-of-class experiences that have a lasting effect. Review of Educational Research, 67, 43-87.
  25. ^ Neill, J. T. (2008). Enhancing personal effectiveness: Impacts of outdoor education programs. PhD thesis. Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
  26. ^ Loynes, Chris (1998). "Adventure in a Bun" (PDF). Journal of Experiential Education. 21 (1): 35–39. doi:10.1177/105382599802100108. S2CID 143638838.
  27. ^ Loynes, Chris (2002). "The Generative Paradigm" (PDF). Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 2 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1080/14729670285200221. S2CID 51831743.
  28. ^ Maynard, Trisha; Waters, Jane; Clement, Jennifer (2013). "Child-initiated learning, the outdoor environment and the 'underachieving' child". Early Years. 33 (3): 212. doi:10.1080/09575146.2013.771152. S2CID 143947914.
  29. ^ Gorges R. Waldkindergartenkinder Im Ersten Schuljahr May 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (in German)
  30. ^ Ernest; Monroe (2004). "The effects of environment-based education on students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking". Environmental Education Research. 10 (4): 522. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  31. ^ Lieberman, Gerald A.; Hoody, Linda L. (1998). Closing the Achievement Gap (PDF). State Education and Environment Round Table.
  32. ^ The Scout Movement is the most widespread associated network of outdoor adventure-based education implementers.
  33. ^ Aside from Scouting affiliates, there also have been organizations which sprouted out and away from the root Scout idea.[1]
  34. ^ Books by Daniel Carter Beard
  35. ^ Block, Nelson, 2000, A Thing of the Spirit: the life of E. Urner Goodman, Boy Scouts of America.
  36. ^ Davis, Kenneth (PhD history, U Virginia; Colonel, US Army), The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service: a history of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America, 1990, 1995, 2000. ISBN 0839549989. ISBN 978-0839549987.
  37. ^
  38. ^ Block, Nelson, "William Hillcourt: Scoutmaster to the World", The Journal of Scouting History.
  39. ^ The Way of Nature Fellowship
  40. ^ John Milton August 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ Miner, Joshua & Joseph Boldt, Outward Bound USA: learning through experience in adventure-based education, William Morrow & Co, 1981.
  42. ^ Miner, Joshua & Joseph Boldt, Outward Bound USA: Crew, Not Passengers, Mountaineers Books, 2002. ISBN 978-0-89886-874-6
  43. ^ Charles Alexander Eastman May 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  44. ^ Martinez, David, 2009 Dakota Philosopher, St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society Press, ISBN 0-87351-629-X.
  45. ^ Outdoor Education Group June 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ Project Adventure Evolution
  47. ^ Witt, David, 2010, Ernest Thompson Seton: The Life and Legacy of an Artist and Conservationist, Gibbs Smith. ISBN 1423603915. ISBN 978-1423603917.
  48. ^ Seton, Julia, By a Thousand Fires, 1967.

External links edit

outdoor, education, organized, learning, that, takes, place, outdoors, typically, during, school, camping, trips, programs, sometimes, involve, residential, journey, wilderness, based, experiences, which, students, participate, variety, adventurous, challenges. Outdoor education is organized learning that takes place in the outdoors typically during school camping trips Outdoor education programs sometimes involve residential or journey wilderness based experiences in which students participate in a variety of adventurous challenges and outdoor activities such as hiking climbing canoeing ropes courses and group games Outdoor education draws upon the philosophy theory and practices of experiential education and environmental education An outdoor visual arts class going on in National College of Arts Pakistan A group of Outward Bound participants with physical disabilities after completing a ropes course c 1996 Contents 1 Scope 1 1 Definitions 1 2 Education outside the classroom 1 3 Aims 2 History 3 Philosophy and theory 4 Around the world 4 1 UK 4 2 Australia and New Zealand 4 3 Canada 4 4 Denmark 4 5 Finland 4 6 France 4 7 Spain 5 Research and critical views 6 Trends 7 See also 7 1 Activities 7 2 Associations 7 3 Organizations 7 4 People 7 5 Topics 8 References 9 External linksScope editOutdoor education has diverse goals and practices but always involves learning about in and through the outdoors Definitions edit Outdoor education can be simply defined as experiential learning in for or about the outdoors The term outdoor education however is used broadly to refer to a range of organized activities that take place in a variety of ways in predominantly outdoor environments Common definitions of outdoor education are difficult to achieve because interpretations vary according to culture philosophy and local conditions 1 Outdoor education is often referred to as synonymous with outdoor learning outdoor school forest schools and wilderness education Outdoor education often uses or draws upon related elements and or informs related areas such as teaching students how to pitch tents and cook over a campfire The hallmark of outdoor education is its focus on the outdoor side of this education whereas adventure education would focus on the adventure side and environmental education would focus on environmental Expeditionary education involves expeditions into wilderness where man is but a visitor All of these activities typically involve experiential education Education outside the classroom edit nbsp Freshmen at Wyoming Catholic College hike in the Teton Mountains during a three week backpacking course Education outside the classroom describes school curriculum learning other than with a class of students sitting in a room with a teacher and books It encompasses biology field trips and searching for insects in the school garden as well as indoor activities like observing stock control in a local shop or visiting a museum It is a concept currently enjoying a revival because of the recognition of benefits from the more active style The Education and Skills Committee 2 of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom has reported that it brings history and art to life develops social skills and clearly enhances geography and science 3 There are key policies in place for outdoor learning in England 4 Scotland 5 and Wales Despite the evidence supporting an extension of educational camping and outdoor learning for children there are a number of obstacles in the way One of these obstacles is risk aversion amongst teachers parents and others raising reluctance to such diverse and physical tasks The journalist Tim Gill has written about parental and institutional risk aversion affecting many activities with children in his book No Fear 6 Another obstacle is the perceived high cost of facilitating outdoor learning Creating an outdoor learning environment needn t cost a great deal however The UK Early Years Framework Stage which outlines best practice in Early Years teaching asserts that Outdoor learning is more effective when adults focus on what children need to be able to do rather than what children need to have An approach that considers experiences rather than equipment places children at the centre of learning and ensures that individual children s learning and developmental needs are taken account of and met effectively 7 Linda Tallent a UK based educational consultant who has worked extensively with schools to develop their outdoor spaces into learning environments agrees She believes that by focusing on activities and skill development it is possible to develop an outdoor learning curriculum on a shoe string 8 She cites a comment by Will Nixon who reminds readers that Using the real world is the way learning has happened for 99 9 of human existence Only in the last hundred years have we put it into a little box called a classroom 9 Tallent also refers to evidence from a number of studies that the most effective way of learning is through participation and calls on educators to make a special effort to create opportunities for children to participate in their learning Aims edit Some typical aims of outdoor education are to learn how to overcome adversity enhance personal and social development develop a deeper relationship with nature boost self confidence when camping with classmates raise attainment through better teaching and learning experiences Outdoor education spans the three domains of self others and the natural world The relative emphasis of these three domains varies from one program to another An outdoor education program can for example emphasize one or more of these aims to teach outdoor survival skills improve problem solving skills reduce recidivism enhance teamwork develop leadership skills understand natural environments promote spirituality provide an active first hand learning experienceOutdoor education is often used as a means to create a deeper sense of place for people in a community Sense of place is manifested through the understanding and connection that one has with the area in which they reside Sense of place is an important aspect of environmentalism as well as environmental justice because it makes the importance of sustaining a particular ecosystem that much more personal to an individual 10 History edit nbsp Field trip school children outdoors listening to man c 1899 USModern outdoor education owes its beginnings to separate initiatives Organized camping was evident in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Europe the UK the US Australia and New Zealand The Scouting movement established in the UK in 1907 by Robert Baden Powell employs non formal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities The first Outward Bound centre at Aberdyfi in Wales was established during the Second World War The Forest schools of Denmark are examples of European programs with similar aims and objectives Key outdoor education pioneers include Kurt Hahn a German educator who founded schools such as the Schule Schloss Salem in Germany the United World Colleges movement the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which emphasizes community service craftsmanship skills physical skill and outdoor expeditions and the Outward Bound movement The second half of the twentieth century saw rapid growth of outdoor education in all sectors state voluntary and commercial with an ever widening range of client groups and applications In this period Outward Bound spread to over 40 countries including the US in the 1960s Other US based outdoor education programs include Project Adventure and the National Outdoor Leadership School NOLS Project Adventure focuses on day use of ropes courses NOLS uses the outdoor setting to train leaders for outdoor programs and for other settings including training every new US astronaut and 10 of the US Naval Academy The Association for Experiential Education is a professional association for experiential educators The Wilderness Education Association WEA is a consortium of college outdoor education programs with a standard curriculum based on an academic model See also North America in the Around the World section A history of outdoor education in the UK has been documented by Lyn Cook 1999 11 and a history of outdoor education in New Zealand has been published in Pip Lynch s Camping in the Curriculum 2007 12 Philosophy and theory editPhilosophy and theory about outdoor education tends to emphasize the effect of natural environments on human beings the educative role of stress and challenge and experiential learning 1 One view is that participants are at their rawest level when outdoors because they are stripped of many of the conveniences of modern life Participants can become more aware that they are part of a greater ecosystem and are not as bound by social customs and norms In essence participants can be true to themselves and more able to see others as people regardless of race class religion etc Outdoor education also helps instill the basic elements of teamwork because participants often need to work together and rely on others For many people a high ropes course or an outdoor activity may stretch their comfort zone and cause them to challenge themselves physically which in turn can lead to challenging oneself mentally citation needed The roots of modern outdoor education can be found in the philosophical work of Comenius John Dewey William James Aldo Leopold John Locke John Muir Jean Jacques Rousseau Henry David Thoreau Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi nbsp The Outward Bound Process Model adapted from Walsh and Golins 1976 13 Foundational work on the philosophy of outdoor education includes work by Kurt Hahn Willi UnsoeldA wide range of social science and specific outdoor education theories and models have been applied in an effort to better understand outdoor education Amongst the key theoretical models or concepts are Experiential education theories Group development theories the Outward Bound Process Model 13 Stress optimal arousal comfort zone and psychological flow theories Psychoevolutionary theory and the Biophilia hypothesisAround the world editOutdoor education occurs in one form or another in most if not all countries of the world However it can be implemented very differently depending on the cultural context Some countries for example view outdoor education as synonymous with environmental education whilst other countries treat outdoor education and environmental education as distinct Modern forms of outdoor education are most prevalent in the UK US Australia New Zealand Europe and to some extent Asia and Africa citation needed 14 Many outdoor Education programs were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID 19 Pandemic UK edit The English Outdoor Council an umbrella body defines outdoor education as a way for students and teachers to be fully engaged in a lesson all the while embracing the outdoors The EOC deems outdoor education as providing depth to the curriculum and makes an important contribution to students physical personal and social education 15 In the UK Learning through Landscapes champion the use of School Grounds as a cost effective easily accessible place of learning and play Forest School 16 is also fashionable in the UK providing a very specialist approach to personal development within the wider context of Outdoor Learning Australia and New Zealand edit Throughout Australia amp New Zealand many school students undertake outdoor outdoor and environmental education Aust NZ have several outdoor education degrees and vocational outdoor recreation programs Once teachers and outdoor leaders have completed their studies many have opportunities to work in schools private organizations or various outdoor education centres in either country Outdoor Education is mandated as part of the New Zealand Health and Physical Education as one of the 7 key areas of learning The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority with support from Outdoor Education Australia has developed curriculum documents to support schools to conduct outdoor education throughout the country primarily through the learning areas of Science Health and Physical Education and Humanities Canada edit Environmental education most notably outdoor education in Canada is seen through outdoor camp and residential programs school based programs and commercial travel operations Outdoor education in Canada is based around hard technical skills often travel and camping skills and the soft group skills and personal growth qualities are blended with one might say the green and warm skills of a complementary eco adventure focus 17 Adventures are found whether one is partaking in environmental awareness or team building workshops throughout Canada Denmark edit Denmark is known as one of the more environmentally conscious countries in the developed world One of the ways in which this presents itself is through the forest school system that exists there Children are taught in the woods using nature and animals to learn about basic environmental education as well as the fundamental elementary education that is required 18 Finland edit At Finnish schools the term outdoor education represents teaching and learning that takes place outside the classroom with the aim to achieve goals in the National core curriculum for basic education as and in the National core curriculum for upper secondary schools In the upper secondary schools students aged 16 18 the theme is Sustainable development Students are encouraged to pursue a sustainable lifestyle to take action for sustainable development and to examine the challenges of SD 19 Some vocational institutes offer secondary lever degree in Nature and Environmental Studies focusing mainly to tourism and experience industries 20 Humak University of Applied Sciences offers a bachelor s degree in Adventure and Outdoor Education in its English language programme focusing on the technical skills for the adventure sports and pedagogy tourism and entrepreneurship Annually 20 students are taken in to the programme 21 In addition Humak University of Applied Sciences offers updating education for teachers and persons active in adventure sports in their Open University of Applied Sciences 22 France edit Alain Kerjean founded in 1986 Hors Limites Outward Bound France adaptation to adults of active pedagogy and introduces in France apprentissage par l experience movement The first Latin country member of this network Honnor president SAS Prince Albert of Monaco In 1994 was founded two bodies Association Apprendre par l experience youth and SARL Experientiel corporate From 2008 Alain Kerjean develops Outdoor Education for universities in Romania and advises in France training organizations wishing to design programs based on this pedagogy His books and articles make available Anglo Saxon research and publications on the subject to the French public citation needed Spain edit The first major and highly publicized outdoor learning project was Ruta Quetzal Launched with assistance of king Juan Carlos in 1979 it was heavily focused on exploring cross Atlantic Hispanidad cultural links and for decades was managed by the adventurer and media celebrity Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo The project is ongoing There are numerous similar though less ambitious schemes currently operational e g Rumbo al Sur annual tours in Africa managed by a TV reality show star Telmo Aldaz de la Quadra Salcedo 23 Research and critical views editThere is much anecdotal evidence about benefits of outdoor education experiences teachers for example often speak of the improvement they have in relationships with students following a trip However hard evidence showing that outdoor education has a demonstrable long term effect on behaviour or educational achievement is harder to identify this may be in part because of the difficulty involved in conducting studies which separate out the effects of outdoor education on meaningful outcomes A major meta analysis of 97 empirical studies indicated a positive overall effect of adventure education programs on outcomes such as self concept leadership and communication skills 24 This study also indicated that there appeared to be ongoing positive effects The largest empirical study of the effects of outdoor education programs mostly Outward Bound programs found small moderate short term positive impacts on a diverse range of generic life skills with the strongest outcomes for longer expedition based programs with motivated young adults and partial long term retention of these gains 25 In Adventure in a Bun Chris Loynes 26 has suggested that outdoor education is increasingly an entertainment park consumption experience In a paper entitled The Generative Paradigm 27 Loynes has also called for an increase in creativity spontaneity and vitality Outdoor education has been found more beneficial to those students who find classroom learning more challenging citation needed Maynard Waters amp Clement 2013 28 found that resonating with their previous findings the teachers in their study reported that when engaged in child initiated activity in the outdoor environment over half of the children who in the classroom were perceived to be underachieving appeared to behave differently p 221 Their work aims to support the notion that the more natural outdoor spaces in which child initiated activities take place both directly and indirectly diminish the perception of underachievement This is important because a number of studies have shown that expectations based on perception of students is important for student learning This may also be due to a non academic family background or a personal psychological trait such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder When German children from forest kindergartens went to primary school teachers observed a significant improvement in reading writing mathematics social interactions and many other areas 29 A yearlong study was done where a group of 9th and 12th grade students learned through outdoor education The focus was on raising the critical thinking skills of the students as a measure of improvement where critical thinking was defined to be the process of purposeful self regulatory judgment and decision making The problem solving capabilities included the ability of students to interpret to analyze to evaluate to infer to explain and to self regulate Researchers found that both 9th and 12th graders scored higher than the control groups in critical thinking by a significant amount 30 Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for learning EIC is the foundation of a substantial report 31 which found benefits in learning outside the classroom on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading writing math science and social studies reduced discipline problems and increased enthusiasm for learning and pride in accomplishments Trends editThere are several important trends and changing circumstances for outdoor education including Climate change Nature deficit disorder Exercise trends and fitness culture Rationalization sociology Standards based education reformSee also editActivities edit Abseiling Adventure park Backpacking Camping Canoeing Geocaching Kayaking Nature study Questing Rafting Rock climbing Ropes course Sail training Snowboarding Orienteering Wayfinding Slacklining Skateboarding Associations edit American Camp Association Association for Experiential EducationOrganizations edit Learning through Landscapes UK based champions of school grounds for outdoor learning and play The Duke of Edinburgh s Award award for personal achievement including outdoor activities National Outdoor Leadership School Boy Scouts of America youth leadership and outdoors training Venturing co ed for 14 20 Nature s Classroom environmental education program in the US Boston Schoolyard Initiative elementary school based outdoor environmental education Outdoor Education Group educational organization in Australia Outward Bound international educational organization Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries Christian Outdoor Leadership and Education organization John Muir Award disambiguation Forest SchoolPeople edit Further information List of 20th century outdoor proponents and outdoor educators Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell Founder of the Scout Movement and The Scout Association 32 33 Juliette Gordon Low Founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA Daniel Carter Beard Outdoorsman Founder of the Boy Pioneers Co founder of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls 34 Harold C Bryant worked on US national parks in education Edward Urner Goodman Scoutmaster Camp Director Treasure Island Scout Reservation National Program Director Boy Scouts of America Founder Order of the Arrow 35 36 Bear Grylls Edward Michael Grylls Outdoor adventurer summitted Mt Everest Chief Scout of The Scout Association Luther Halsey Gulick Proponent of Playground Education Co founder of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls Kurt Hahn Kurt Matthias Robert Martin Hahn Experiential educator Founder of Schule Schloss Salem Gordonstoun and United World Colleges system Founded Outward Bound with Lawrence Durning Holt and Jim Hogan Originator of the Moray Badge the forerunner of the County Badge 37 William Hillcourt Boy Scout Scoutmaster Scouting professional Authored many books and articles on Scouting outdoor activities and Scout skills including the first Scout Fieldbook and three editions of the Boy Scout Handbook of the BSA Endeavored to maintain the outdoor orientation of US Boy Scouting 38 Clifton F Hodge nature study with an evolutionary perspective James Kielsmeier Outward Bound instructor Proponent of experiential education and service learning Founder of the National Youth Leadership Council and the Center for Experiential Education and Service Learning University of Minnesota Ernst Killander Soldier Boy Scout leader propagator of orienteering Richard Louv Journalist Proponent of nature awareness and opponent of what he termed nature deficit disorder John P Milton Conducted life transformation journeys in wilderness areas of Asia Africa North America and South America Founder of Sacred Passage and The Way of Nature Fellowship 39 40 Joshua Lewis Miner III Worked at Gordonstoun took Kurt Hahn s ideas to the US Co founder of Colorado Outward Bound School with Charles Froelicher Founder of Outward Bound USA Inspired use of outdoor education in the Peace Corps 41 42 Ohiyesa Charles Alexander Eastman North American Indian of the Isaŋyathi tribe of the Dakota nation physician author worked closely with YMCA Woodcraft Indians and YMCA Indian Guides co founder of the Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girls 43 44 Tony Pammer Canoeing instructor Co founder and CEO of the Outdoor Education Group 45 Jerry Pieh Outward Bound instructor and school principal who pioneered the introduction of Outward Bound methods into the mainstream school system father of Project Adventure founded with Mary Ladd Smith Robert Lentz Karl Rohnke Jim Schoel and others which gave impetus to Adventure Based Counseling 46 Edgar Munroe Robinson YMCA summer camp director Set up the fledgling Boy Scouts of America organization Ernest Thompson Seton Founded the Woodcraft Indians and the Woodcraft League Inspiration and major source of Baden Powell s Scouting for Boys Co founder of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America 47 48 Topics edit Adventure therapy Adventure travel Deep ecology Ecopsychology Educational progressivism Environmental psychology Green exercise Minimal impact code Natural environment Outdoor recreation Rite of passage Summer camp Team building Wilderness therapy Forest kindergartenReferences edit a b Outdoor recreation n d Retrieved from http www trunity net lifegermination topics view 23121 Education and Skills Committee House of Commons Education Outside the Classroom PDF House of Commons 2005 Outdoor Learning Policies England Learning through Landscapes Outdoor learning in Scotland Learning through Landscapes Gill Tim 2007 No fear Growing up in a Risk Averse society PDF Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation p 81 ISBN 978 1 903080 08 5 Archived from the original PDF on 2009 03 06 Early Years Framework Stage Effective Practice Outdoor Learning 2007 Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on July 1 2008 Retrieved September 24 2010 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Linda Tallent Outdoor Learning 2007 Will Nixon Letting Nature Shape Childhood The Amicus Journal Fall 1997 in Linda Tallent Outdoor Learning 2007 Kudryavtsev Alex Krasny Marianne E Stedman Richard C 2012 04 01 The impact of environmental education on sense of place among urban youth Ecosphere 3 4 art29 doi 10 1890 ES11 00318 1 ISSN 2150 8925 Cook L 1999 The 1944 Education Act and outdoor education from policy to practice History of Education 28 2 157 172 ISBN 0 473 10583 7 Lynch P Camping in the Curriculum A History of Outdoor Education in New Zealand Schools PML publications Lincoln University Canterbury New Zealand a b Walsh V amp Golins G L 1976 The exploration of the Outward Bound process Denver CO Colorado Outward Bound School Lee Chermaine 2022 01 24 Why some Asian schools are going wild www bbc com Retrieved 2022 01 24 English Outdoor Council n d High Quality Outdoor Education PDF English Outdoor Council Retrieved July 19 2013 What Is Forest School Henderson B amp Potter G T n d Outdoor Adventure Education in Canada Seeking The Country Way Back In 227 242 Early Nature Lessons in Denmark s Forest Preschools The official website of Denmark denmark dk Retrieved 2016 10 06 Opetussuunnitelma ja ymparistokasvatus LYKE verkosto finland fi Retrieved 2018 01 05 Luonto ja ymparistoalan perustutkinto 2014 PDF finland fi Retrieved 2018 01 05 Bachelor s Degree in Adventure and Outdoor Education finland fi Retrieved 2018 01 05 Suomen makein avoimen amk n opintojakso Seikkailukasvatus Humakissa finland fi Retrieved 2018 01 05 La expedicion Madrid Rumbo al Sur reconoce problemas de financiacion in ABC 10 09 2013 Hattie J A Marsh H W Neill J T amp Richards G E 1997 Adventure education and Outward Bound Out of class experiences that have a lasting effect Review of Educational Research 67 43 87 Neill J T 2008 Enhancing personal effectiveness Impacts of outdoor education programs PhD thesis Sydney University of Western Sydney Loynes Chris 1998 Adventure in a Bun PDF Journal of Experiential Education 21 1 35 39 doi 10 1177 105382599802100108 S2CID 143638838 Loynes Chris 2002 The Generative Paradigm PDF Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 2 2 113 125 doi 10 1080 14729670285200221 S2CID 51831743 Maynard Trisha Waters Jane Clement Jennifer 2013 Child initiated learning the outdoor environment and the underachieving child Early Years 33 3 212 doi 10 1080 09575146 2013 771152 S2CID 143947914 Gorges R Waldkindergartenkinder Im Ersten Schuljahr Archived May 16 2011 at the Wayback Machine in German Ernest Monroe 2004 The effects of environment based education on students critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking Environmental Education Research 10 4 522 Retrieved 14 March 2014 Lieberman Gerald A Hoody Linda L 1998 Closing the Achievement Gap PDF State Education and Environment Round Table The Scout Movement is the most widespread associated network of outdoor adventure based education implementers Aside from Scouting affiliates there also have been organizations which sprouted out and away from the root Scout idea 1 Books by Daniel Carter Beard Block Nelson 2000 A Thing of the Spirit the life of E Urner Goodman Boy Scouts of America Davis Kenneth PhD history U Virginia Colonel US Army The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service a history of the Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts of America 1990 1995 2000 ISBN 0839549989 ISBN 978 0839549987 Birth of Outward Bound Block Nelson William Hillcourt Scoutmaster to the World The Journal of Scouting History The Way of Nature Fellowship John Milton Archived August 23 2012 at the Wayback Machine Miner Joshua amp Joseph Boldt Outward Bound USA learning through experience in adventure based education William Morrow amp Co 1981 Miner Joshua amp Joseph Boldt Outward Bound USA Crew Not Passengers Mountaineers Books 2002 ISBN 978 0 89886 874 6 Charles Alexander Eastman Archived May 28 2010 at the Wayback Machine Martinez David 2009 Dakota Philosopher St Paul Minnesota Minnesota Historical Society Press ISBN 0 87351 629 X Outdoor Education Group Archived June 21 2012 at the Wayback Machine Project Adventure Evolution Witt David 2010 Ernest Thompson Seton The Life and Legacy of an Artist and Conservationist Gibbs Smith ISBN 1423603915 ISBN 978 1423603917 Seton Julia By a Thousand Fires 1967 External links edit nbsp Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Outdoor Education nbsp Wikiversity has learning resources about Outdoor education nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Outdoor education Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Outdoor education amp oldid 1213570057, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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