One of the strengths of OE is that it blurs the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines and helps students recognize the interconnected nature of life and the world… a process where academics matter, relationships matter, the environment matters, and it’s all tied together in this beautiful experience.

(Asfeldt, M. (2021). A beautiful messy process: Outdoor education in Canada. Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education, 33(2)

What is Outdoor Experiential Education?

Outdoor education can be understood as an experiential learning process that takes place in nature and outdoor environments. There are many different aspects of outdoor learning. Adventurous experiences help students develop both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships, while environmental learning fosters a deep sense of stewardship, conservation, curiosity, and belonging. Through these meaningful experiences, students often experience outcomes such as positive freedom, intrinsic motivation, and an increased capacity for self-determination. Outdoor learning also supports the development of creative and critical thinking skills, encourages imaginative play, and contributes to an overall increased sense of well-being across physical, cognitive, and social areas of life.