Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education

What does it look like?

Outdoor Education involves the instructional use of natural and built areas for learning in a variety of subject-matter disciplines through direct experiences. It also aims to cultivate environmentally knowledgeable and informed citizens through engagement in the natural environment.

Benefits

Students and Families

• Expands experience, skills, awareness, and contacts

Employers and Community

• Develops experience and perspective that may be transferable to community or work

Educators

• May build student social/emotional skills as well as learning skills/work habits
• May link to curricular learning outcomes

Considerations

Students and Families

• May allow for development or expansion of interest into a career or broader contribution in support of others

Employers and Community

• Providers of outdoor education may need to consider the appropriateness and accessibility for some students to participate
• Liaison with parents/guardians and protocols for ensuring safety and security of participants may be important, especially where students are under 18

Educators

• May encourage or direct students to enroll, participate in, or create outdoor education opportunities that develop personal awareness, skills, and interest

Links and Access

KW/Guelph Eco Directory

WRDSB Outdoor and Environmental Education