5 Reasons To take Your Next School Trip Outdoors
12 December 2016
The United Kingdom has a long history of outdoor education, so, fortunately, there are an abundance of options when it comes to outdoor school trips. By getting students outside of the classroom, teachers can break the pattern of the school term and re-instill a sense of vitality and wonder in the learning process.
We all know that students learn differently, and some who may otherwise feel out of place in a classroom can thrive when placed in a hands-on environment. Choosing an outdoor trip can offer a sense of excitement and adventure all within the confines of a safe framework.
A challenge, whether mental or physical, is vital to development, and therefore variety and novelty should be a priority when it comes to your curriculum.
Here are 5 reasons to take your next school trip outdoors.
1. It’s good for student health.
In the United Kingdom surveys have revealed that 25 percent of boys and 33 percent of girls between the ages of two and 19 are considered overweight or obese. This is not only shocking but saddening when we realise that there is little evidence suggesting that this epidemic is slowing down.
Taking children outdoors, and ensuring they have a good time, can allow them to develop a newfound love for the outdoors, which can slowly but surely result in a
change in not only their health but also the culture of how they play with each other.
2. They build confidence and self-esteem
Another major issue that children face is developing confidence and self-esteem. This can be particularly heightened with social media and issues with cyber bullying. Outdoor trips can allow kids who may be more skilled at physical activities than they are with traditional learning, to show off their talent, and receive praise from their peers and teachers.
3. They encourage teamwork
Outdoor education can not only re-arrange the cliques that form during the school term, but the activities can build a sense of community as the children rally together around a particular challenge.
In an atmosphere where standardised testing often makes things appear more black and white than they really are, real-world problem solving is a great way to bring the kids together and role-play how to address different issues facing the planet.
4. They’re memorable
It’s a natural function of the brain to take anything novel and put a highlighter over the memory. This is because evolutionarily we’re wired to focus on something that’s out of the ordinary. As an educator, you can use this to your advantage by taking these uncommon experiences and using them to teach your students important concepts that they’re more likely to remember than they otherwise would have been.
An outdoor trip is a memorable experience that they won’t be quick to forget!
5. They highlight the importance of the environment
While children are accustomed to hearing about how important the environment is to their future, the reality is that it’s a little hard to perceive from inside a classroom.
By taking students out into nature, they can appreciate the changes that are taking place in our world and can be inspired to become part of the next generation of those who will ignite positive change to the way out society treats the environment.
Outdoor education has so many benefits it’s important that it become a part of your curriculum.
Looking for a minibus for your next school trip? Contact us today and work with a company that specialises in minibuses for schools, universities, colleges and other educational institutions.
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