Forest schools: Lessons in outdoor education

Forest schools, in which students are instructed outside rather than in classrooms, have become a learning experience for many – and have added benefits in a time of pandemic. Correspondent Conor Knighton visits an immersive forest school in Oregon, where being outdoors all day – even in inclement weather – becomes part of the learning process.

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[LTNye]

This looks absolutely phenomenal! I'm all for this becoming part of a normal curriculum.

[nenelady]

As a kindergarten teacher in a public school today, I think this is awesome. Kids need to move more and be outside.

[jeaniephillips]

My daughter teaches at one of these schools in WA State and she shares that this type of teaching is awesome. Kids love it! Fresh air and sunshine all day.

[wickedvideowatcher]

Meanwhile in Finland, this is normal everyday learning.

[kimmickal]

I am waiting for outdoor community colleges and universities (public and private) for ALL ages WORLDWIDE!

[Luv-xk]

I can't imagine how wonderfully this will effect these young students

[shawnmoriarty]

I am a Camp Director for a Nature Based day camp in MA. There are amazing rewards to having staff and children in the outdoors almost all day. And Tony is a creative force in this work! I have had the pleasure of watching Trackers grow over the last several years.

[dottieam]

Love what Portland, Maine schools are doing. We love our outdoors in Maine!

[RealBradMiller]

I really, really want this to be the norm!

[verican]

This is great. Wish this was a part of all schools

[gratefulalways]

Really, it's a wonderful modern method of outdoor learning & teaching kids, it helps them bring what they learnt as theories into real life.

[davidahrens]

Hooray! I’m so happy to see that you included Sharon Danks from Green Schoolyards America in this piece. Their work to transform asphalt schoolyards into ecologically rich “parks” is so important.

[pleinaire]

My kids would have loved this type of 'school'.. they were very active and needed lots of outdoor time which we were able to give them outside of school!!

[terryfriend]

I love this! This is such exciting news! I'm sooo happy for the children, there's wonder in all of the outdoors.

[NewYork]

All learning should be started from nature...

[TheeColleeFlower]

This looks incredible! I live in Oregon, and would love to see this more!

[camerachica]

Forest schools are very popular in the UK. Even some top boarding schools have a forest school that students have classes in some of the time. It works really well with young children to keep them active and not stuck in a classroom.

[forestcampclub]

love to see more forest schools in the world

[vmudxwn]

A lot gets done through the efforts of grassroots! Excellent idea. I used to hate being cooped up inside classrooms! Hope more schools are open to the idea!

[pragneshpatel]

Thank you for spreading environment ❤️🙏