Taking Education Outdoors: Blending Wild Adventures with School Learning

In a world where much of learning is confined to screens and indoor spaces, outdoor education provides a strong counterpoint. Natural environments foster deeper connections, stimulate creative thinking, and deliver memorable experiences that solidify student comprehension.

The course “Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education”, held in Tenerife from 25/01/2026 to 31/01/2026. Participants represented diverse countries across Europe. Attendees included Paula from Antsla Gümnaasium in Estonia, Lana and Alen from Hrvatski Crveni križ Gradsko društvo Crvenog križa Koprivnica in Croatia, Eglė, Inga, and Aušra from Panevėžio lopšelis-darželis “Kastytis” in Lithuania, Danijel, Ksenija, and Matija from Osnovna škola Trnovitica, Velika Trnovitica in Croatia, Adrian from MS Pfeilgasse in Austria, Michela from Associazione Territoriale per l’integrazione PASSO PASSO-OdV in Italy, and Tobias from Overbergschule Selm in Germany.

The program began with an introduction to outdoor education, focusing on learning through a connection with nature. Participants talked about how the environment is more than just a place to sit—it acts like a “co-teacher.” They learned how even a simple walk through a city can spark new questions, creativity, and deep thinking for students.

The weekly schedule gave participants a great experience in some of Tenerife’s most beautiful places, including the Anaga mountains, La Caldera, the area around Puerto de la Cruz, and El Teide National Park. These planned walks were more than just exercise; they were active learning lessons that used all the senses. In these outdoor settings, the group saw how subjects like math, science, and language come to life in the real world.

Another important topic was non-formal education, which focuses on learning by doing. Using basic materials and guided talks, the group practiced how to create activities that help students connect their actions to their lessons. This approach helps students understand not just the subject matter, but also more about themselves and how they relate to the world.

Near the end of the course, participants were asked to create and share their own lesson plans for their specific schools. Whether it was a geography scavenger hunt in a city or writing poetry along a forest trail, these final sessions showed how outdoor learning can be changed to fit almost any topic. It highlighted that teaching outside is flexible and full of creative possibilities.

By the end of the week, everyone took home more than just new teaching methods; they had a fresh view of what it means to teach. They experienced firsthand that outdoor education isn’t just about leaving the classroom. It is about opening up new ways of thinking, feeling, and connecting with others and the environment.

Discover more about this course  here.