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Outdoor learning provides hands-on experiences that deepen students’ understanding of nature and local environments.
Activities like gardening and field trips engage curiosity, critical thinking, and the senses. These experiences enhance academic learning while promoting physical activity, mental well-being, and social-emotional growth beyond what traditional classrooms often offer.
Our Environmental Education team supports outdoor learning throughout the county. For example, students from Lochburn Middle School took a field trip with our team to learn about their local watersheds.
“My students enjoyed Flett Creek, and it was a breath of fresh air not just having to be on campus and learning, they got to see, feel, and hear the environment," said Dionte Simon, YMCA program coordinator at Lochburn Middle School.
These enriching experiences can also happen on school grounds! Recently, students from Ford Middle School worked with our team on a project to restore a portion of their campus to its native ecosystem.
“I can't overstate the impact of learning about an ecosystem on campus … and being able to do something about it in real time,” said teacher Anthony Allen.
Outdoor learning helps students explore science, math, and sustainability through real-world experiences that inspire stewardship and wonder.
If you are an educator, parent, caregiver, or have a curious mind, check out our Interactive Map to find outdoor learning spaces in your community!
Photo: Students at Ford Middle School.
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