Today is Outdoor Classroom Day!
Celebrating Outdoor Learning with the Countryside Ranger Service in the Highlands
Join us at the High Life Highland Countryside Ranger Service as we celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day on 23rd May.
This day marks a special occasion for schools globally to embrace the natural world as a dynamic classroom. Our own beautiful Scottish Highlands provide an exceptional setting for these adventures, offering an abundance of learning opportunities in our spectacular landscapes.
With increasing concerns about climate change and mental health issues, it's really vital to engage our youth with nature, which not only supports their well-being but also empowers them to be proactive in environmental stewardship.
Many children might only experience nature during school hours, being locked into screens at other times. This makes it essential that we, as educators of the natural world, provide frequent outdoor learning opportunities.
So far this year 37 schools have recieved a ranger visit and 27 of those were specifically to learn more about freshwater ecology and how it contributes to local biodiversity through our Puddles to Ponds project.
Outdoor Classroom Day advocates for the educational benefits of the natural environment - aiming to show how simple and beneficial it is to take learning outside. Will you join us in championing outdoor education for every child, every day?
Participate in the movement, share your experiences of outdoor learning - past present and future using the #OutdoorClassroomDay hashtag, and let's make outdoor learning a norm rather than an exception!
Last year our rangers engaged with over 70 Highland Schools delivering outdoor learning in both playground and local wild space settings!
Transforming any curriculum subject with fresh air and the inspiring backdrop of the Highlands - noticably increases concentration. Whether it's a biology lesson amidst the flora and fauna or a history lesson at a historical site, the environment around us is a fantastic educational resource.
A teacher from Aviemore Primary School shared her enthusiasm about one of our outdoor learning visit with us in an email the other day:
“What a day Saranne; thank you so much. The children are so much calmer, happier and engaged in the afternoons after doing outdoor learning!”
Our ranger have been integrating educational themes tailored to all age groups. Let the photos speak!
Let’s keep working together to bring more learning outside and inspire our next generation of environmental guardians.
So good to see young poeple learning and enjoying themselves outdoors like this - really appreciate that this can be any subject at all - the world is out there after all! - CRs are a real asset to creating a better future for and with our young people!