The Power of Outdoor Adventure: Building Character and School Culture

Each year, students at our school embark on at least two outdoor adventures across all grade levels, from Pre-K to 8. These trips help students build character, and collectively, they help build our school culture.

Adventure puts teachers and students out of their comfort zones, where learning occurs.

We just returned from our second adventure that took place at Fort Wilderness. Students played broomball, skated, went horseback riding, and went tubing. Here’s a short highlight reel.

Outdoor education offers numerous benefits for students. It allows them to connect with nature and deepen their appreciation for the natural world. Outdoor activities enhance physical fitness, reduce stress, and improve concentration.

Adventures build resilience, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence. Hands-on activities in real-world settings connect classroom concepts to real-life experiences.

Last but not least, adventures are fun.

Here are some resources to help you get started.

Resources

Books, Articles, and More

• Deepening Students Connection to Nature
• Take a Hike: How to Make Being Outdoors In
• School-Based Experiential Outdoor Education: A Neglected Necessity
• Our Better Nature: How The Great Outdoors Can Improve Your Life
• Kikori App - Experiential education app soon to be launched
• Edutopia: Outdoor Adventures with Students
• GooseChase Edu - incorporate a technology component in your adventure planning. This would be great for older students and staff to use for a scavenger/skivia hunt.

Grant Resources

• Impact Schools Grant
• The Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation
• The North Face Explore Fund
• Target Field Trip Grant
• REI Grants
• Action for Healthy Kids

Adventure Inspiration

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