Outdoor adventure learning typically involves outdoor experiences, such as climbing or mountaineering; survival, ropes or assault courses; or outdoor sports, such as orienteering, sailing and canoeing. These can be organised as intensive residential courses or shorter courses run in schools or local outdoor centres.
Adventure education usually involves collaborative learning experiences with a high level of physical (and often emotional) challenge. Practical problem-solving, explicit reflection and discussion of thinking and emotion (see also metacognition and self-regulation) may also be involved.
Outdoor adventure learning interventions typically do not include a formal academic component, so this summary does not include forest schools or excursions.
1. The current evidence base on outdoor adventure and academic outcomes is very weak. While the studies that do exist show positive impacts, the limited evidence base means that an impact in months progress is not communicated.
2. The evidence in the Toolkit is primarily focused on academic outcomes. There is a wider evidence base indicating that outdoor adventure learning may have positive impacts on other outcomes such as self-efficacy, motivation and teamwork. Outdoor adventure learning may play an important part of the wider school experience, regardless of any impact on academic outcomes.
The limited number of studies mean that there is not enough security to communicate a month’s progress figure. While the studies included have positive impacts, none have been independently evaluated.
It is important to remember that this is not evidence that outdoor adventure learning has “no impact” but that there is an absence of secure evidence of what the impact might be.
Outdoor adventure learning studies report wider benefits in terms of self-confidence and self-efficacy. The searches in the Toolkit look for studies that include an academic impact, so there may be a greater number of studies that focus on non-academic outcomes.
Outdoor adventure learning might provide opportunities for disadvantaged students to participate in activities that they otherwise might not be able to access. Through participation in these challenging physical and emotional activities, outdoor adventure learning interventions can support students to develop non-cognitive skills such as resilience, self-confidence and motivation.
The application of these non-cognitive skills in the classroom may in turn have a positive effect on academic outcomes. However, the evidence base linking non-cognitive skills and student achievement is weak and schools should therefore carefully evaluate the impact of outdoor learning interventions on student achievement, if this is the intended outcome.
Outdoor adventure learning approaches vary widely. A potential mechanism for impacting student outcomes might be through the development of non-cognitive skills such as resilience, self-confidence and motivation. When implementing outdoor adventure learning schools might consider including:
- Activities that challenge students physically (and emotionally).
- Opportunities for collaborative learning, problem-solving and explicit reflection on thinking processes and emotions.
- Support for students to overcome challenges and experience success.
- Building on the relationship between adult and students once everyone is back in school.
Given the limited evidence base, it is particularly important to monitor impacts where outdoor adventure learning is used as a method of improving outcomes.
Outdoor adventure learning interventions range in duration. They include shorter courses run within school, or at local outdoor centres; regular sessions over a prolonged period; or more intensive residential courses typically delivered over the course of one or two weeks.
Costs vary with a five-day adventure tour estimated at $490 per student and a 2 – 10 day outdoor camp costing between $80-$180 per student per day. An adventure ropes course is estimated at about $40 for a day. Overall, costs are estimated at $600 per student per year and are therefore moderate.
Implementing outdoor adventure learning will require a moderate amount of staff time compared with other approaches. Outdoor adventure experiences should be delivered by well-qualified staff with appropriate safeguarding in place to manage any physical risks to students.
Alongside time and cost, school leaders should consider how to maximise the positive impact of outdoor adventure learning on student’s non-cognitive skills in the classroom. When introducing new approaches, schools should consider implementation. For more information see Putting Evidence to Work – A School’s Guide to Implementation.
The security of the evidence around outdoor adventure learning is rated as extremely low. For topics with extremely low evidence, a month’s progress figure is not displayed. Only 9 studies were identified that met the pre-specified inclusion criteria. None of these studies were independently evaluated.