SCHOOLS & YOUTH GROUPS

"Letting children get their hands dirty gives them the inspiring first-hand experience they need for a rounded education and to understand the environment."  (Mr Robert Lucas, Chief Executive of the Field Studies Council).

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Earleywood is an ideal place for you to bring the classroom outside. In Scouting, our aim is simple – to help the individual achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and economic potential. Young people develop most when they are 'learning by doing’, when they are given responsibility, work in teams, take acceptable risks and think for themselves.

Outdoor learning can provide a dramatic contrast to the indoor classroom. Direct experience outdoors is more motivating and has more impact and credibility. Through skilled teaching, interpretation or facilitation, outdoor experiences readily become a stimulating source of fascination, personal growth and breakthroughs in learning. 

In outdoor learning, children and young people learn through what they do, through what they encounter and through what they discover. They learn about the outdoors, themselves and each other, while also learning outdoor skills. Active learning readily develops the learning skills of enquiry, experiment, feedback, reflection, review and cooperative learning. 

There is no limit to the experiences and curiosities that outdoor environments and activities can arouse. Children frequently discover potential, abilitiesand interests that surprise themselves and others. Safety codes provide clear boundaries and learning goals give clear direction, but outdoor learning draws in energy and inspiration from all around.