Q: What benefits does an outdoor education have on students?
A: “Outdoor education really gives children the opportunity for meaningful firsthand experiences. The engagement level is higher because it gives them the opportunity to engage with their whole self,” says Kathryn Marshall, pre-kindergarten co-lead teacher at Laurel School. “It fosters meaningful connections with the environment. They’re crossing creeks, they’re testing pond water, and they are looking at trees and trying to decipher between different trees. It gives them time to really explore the world in a personal way and provides increased physical activity, risk-taking, self-reliance and resilience. Children need to be more active in their learning. It provides that spirit of adventure that they may not get in a classroom.”
