Outdoor education

Outdoor education is a key component of any healthy childhood. Experts from Richard Louv to David Suzuki have praised the value of spending time in natural environments and learning both in and about the natural world. The sheer variety of learning experiences out of doors makes it an exciting opportunity that is all too new and strange to too many children. Even for students who are mainly academically inclined, time outdoors is an ideal way to get perspective on studies and other learning.

Outdoor education camps will likely include activities like rock climbing, canoeing, rope games and courses and games for groups. It can also imply environmental education and experience with nature. Any summer camp – whether day or overnight - will almost certainly provide a rich focus on outdoor education, although certain summer camps may offer a variety of focuses that delve deeply into spheres of outdoor learning. Some examples of (with links to) types of camps are as follows:

• Zoo camps or animal camps offer children firsthand experience with zoo animals, ideal for children curious about pursuing studies in relevant areas or for any child who simply loves animals.
• Horse camps permit young men and women to interact closely with horses, learning essentials of horseback riding and even some other equestrian tricks and skills.
• Adventure camps entail excursions deep into the woods, often over several nights or even weeks, where older teens gain firsthand experience in survival techniques, extensive hiking and canoeing and likely encounters with wildlife. This is immensely rewarding, intense learning about the real outdoors.
• Numerous types of camps spend a lot of time outdoors offering deep training and education in a variety of activities such as golf, soccer, baseball, sailing and many other outdoor activities.

Outdoor learning and education is one of the major benefits of any summer camp, especially overnight camps, but this term can also apply to learning outside the classroom as practiced in some schools. Outdoor education at a March break camp provides an ideal counterpoint to life in school, with structured learning that helps keep young minds limber.

Read blog posts about outdoor living.

Outdoor education certainly teaches children about issues such as climate change and helps to combat nature deficit disorder. The following presents a list of camps that emphasize outdoor living as part of their activities of curriculum.