Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Learning image Outdoor learning is an approach to learning that can be incorporated into every area of the curriculum. Being outdoors allows a hands-on approach with challenges that cannot be offered in the classroom. Outdoor learning brings together many different areas allowing learners of all ages to make connections on their learning journey. Different outdoor learning experiences offer a breadth of opportunities for personal and learning skills development in areas such as communication, problem solving, information technology, working with others, creativity and thinking skills. These transferable skills are required to meet the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

The value of outdoor learning is expressed in the Curriculum for Excellence publication ‘Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning’.

“Learning need not take place solely within educational buildings. The outdoor environment has massive potential for learning. We are extremely fortunate to have such rich urban and rural environments on our doorsteps and…learning experiences can be enhanced by maximising the potentials of the outdoors”.

View the Outdoor Learning photos on our Facebook page.

Outward Bound Taster Course Photos

View photos on Facebook from the Outward Bound Taster Course that took place on Friday 22 March 2013 at Mugdock Country Park.

Events

Scotland's Nature Festival 18 -26 May 2013

'Love Life, Love Nature' - resources for Scotland's Nature Festival for all ages

Thursday 13 - Tuesday 18 June 2013 - A Walk on the Wild Side along the West Highland Way.

23 - 27 September 2013 Disability Wilderness Experience offered by National Trust for Scotland.
icon Application form - disability wilderness experience (49.5 kB)

icon Project Report Disability Wilderness Experience in Kintail (794.26 kB) 19-22 June 2012

Publications

Enjoying the outdoors - attitudes and behaviours of young people in Scotland
Cairngorms National Park - education resources
14 arts projects named for Year of Natural Scotland - The Scotsman 29 January 2013

HSE

Education Trips - Managing risks on Advanced Higher Geography field trips (354.96 kB)
Education Trips - Case study: Sailing through Maths (376.75 kB) (Collegiate High School, Blackpool)
Education - School Trips - Case Study - Holyrood Park (494.85 kB)

John Muir Trust

John Muir Trust e-newsletter April 2013

John Muir Trust e-newsletter March 2013

John Muir Award e-bulletin April 2013 (NB content is April despite January title!)

John Muir Award Spring 2013 online newsletter via issuu

John Muir Award in Scotland's Colleges August 2012

Calvert Trust

Calvert Trust - challenging disability through outdoor adventure

Lake District Calvert Trust: currently have funding to work with Scottish colleges and other organisations working with people with disabilities. If you are interested in partnering the Lake District Calvert Trust Outreach team please e-mail or call 01768 772255.

Common Cause Scotland

Action Learning Programme (ALP) from September 2013.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Outward Bound Trust
The Outward Bound Trust
Social Impact Report

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

'The Nature of Scotland' magazine Spring/Summer 2013 - issue 17

Scottish Natural Heritage May 2013 newsletter

'View from the Train' leaflet PDF

2020 Vision newsletter May 2013

Edinburgh Outdoors - parks and wildlife information for the Edinburgh area

GoingOutThere - toolkits for visit risk assessment etc

News Articles

'Give pupils more outdoor time' - The Scotsman - 11 April 2013.

Learning from Scotland: Learning through Landscapes - January 2013

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park magazine