Five Ways Outdoor School Programs Transform Learning: A Back-to-School Guide for Teachers
Outdoor environmental education programs like NatureBridge offer a unique and transformative approach to engaging students. A recent study by Stanford University and the North American Association for Environmental Education shows that overnight outdoor school can have profound impacts on students by improving their academic and emotional development. Here are five ways outdoor school programs can advance your students’ learning this school year.
1. Boosting Knowledge Across Subjects #
Environmental education (EE) isn’t just about nature—it’s about integrating science, math, environmental issues, human history, and more into one cohesive learning experience. Research shows that students in environmental education programs score significantly higher in critical thinking skills, helping them connect classroom lessons to real-world applications. A 9th grade student explained, “This program has changed the way I feel about school. Now I realize that I can pretty much do what anybody else can do. I have a better view of what I can be in the future.”
3. Promoting Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability #
Environmental education encourages students to adopt sustainable behaviors, like recycling and conserving water. These habits often extend beyond the classroom, influencing families and communities. Outdoor school programs can help empower the next generation of leaders and lead to lifelong environmental stewardship for students.
4. Enhancing Academic Skills #
Environmental education and outdoor school programs strengthen critical academic skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. By engaging in hands-on activities out in nature, students develop advanced cognitive ability and critical thinking skills. Research shows that students who are more active in nature are more motivated and enthusiastic about learning, which can translate into better academic performance. A year-long study of New York-based middle school teachers integrating EE into their traditional learning curriculum noted that, “The hands on aspect [of environmental education] is an equalizer...[for] students with a variety of learning styles and learning abilities.
Stories
In Memory of Ty Cobb: A Visionary Leader of Resilience and Impact
Ty Cobb, former CEO of Yosemite National Institutes (now NatureBridge), passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Reno at the age of 84. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and ability to inspire collaboration, Ty guided YNI through some of its most difficult moments while building a foundation for its future growth and success.
WildLink November 2024: Woodlake High School
This November, Woodlake High School students and chaperones arrived in Yosemite for their first year as a WildLink school, and we are so excited to have them on the team! That means that the brave students who signed up for this expedition had virtually no idea what to expect before signing up for the trip, because none of their peers had experienced it before them! The week, although quite frigid, was full of lovely views, learning about Wilderness, spending lots of time by the river, and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite Valley and Wilderness. Their educators Sarah and Amelia were excited to help this group feel a sense of belonging in this place. They were also lucky enough to be joined by Ranger Lissie on their first day in the Wilderness!
Fall Reflections from NatureBridge Yosemite
As an environmental science educator, I spend a lot of time teaching about nature, but this season I’ve been finding that as it turns out, nature has a lot to teach us, too. Sometimes I can let the trees, the meadow, and the lichen teach for me. They show us how to respect each other’s boundaries, how to celebrate differences, how to work together, and how to lean on each other’s strengths in order to exist in a new place. These lessons felt incredibly relevant to me heading into the first week of November, a notoriously busy time at NatureBridge Yosemite. I wanted to focus on messages of kindness and inclusivity with my students, I wanted them to feel a sense of belonging in this new space, and I also hoped that they would share those messages with others.