Outside For Five: The Benefits of Outdoor & Environmental Education
Back in elementary school (about 20 years ago now), I remember looking forward to the best part of the day: recess. Finally, a chance to go outside and let out pent-up energy from sitting behind a desk, even just for 30 minutes. After 6th grade, recess was replaced with study halls, so no more daily outdoor time. I think back to that feeling of loss, knowing I wouldn’t get to explore the new wildflowers that were growing near the playground anymore or play tag with my friends. Apparently, being outside as part of the school day was something we grew out of. “Big kids” don’t need recess.
Photo c/o NHEE
From my perspective, there was a critical puzzle piece missing from my small-town elementary school’s curriculum: recognition that spending time outside is a really, really good thing for kids. Not just during recess, but for learning opportunities that fuse our human desire to connect with nature with essential lessons in environmental education and literacy. Granite Outdoor member New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) exists for that purpose: to support educational models where students value and feel connected to natural spaces, are environmentally literate, and become social and environmental stewards in their communities.
Next week (April 22 – 26), NHEE is celebrating Outside for Five Week, a national movement that challenges educators and parents to spend at least 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, or any meaningful amount of time learning outside with students. Outside for 5, which aligns with Earth Day on Monday, April 22, was developed in response to the pandemic-related decline in youth mental health and the associated impact on classroom educators who have faced increased levels of burnout. The campaign is fueled by a growing body of research that links the benefits of outdoor-centric learning with mental health and well-being, stress reduction, physical health, student engagement, and academic success. According to a report from Stanford University, researchers found a number of trends that demonstrate environmental education has a very positive impact on learning, motivation, skill-building, and empowerment.
Get involved with Outside for 5 in New Hampshire
As a member of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network, NHEE promotes Outside for 5 in the Granite State and incorporates New Hampshire’s unique natural resources and landscapes into its programming. One of NHEE’s most impactful initiatives is the NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant, which is open to NH schools or 501(c)3 non-profit organizations to provide students hands-on, experiential, outdoor learning opportunities. Since 2018, NHEE has awarded $85,492 that enabled 10,266 students to get outside.
New Hampshire educators, outdoor professionals, parents and guardians can take the Outside for 5 Pledge here. Starting Wednesday, April 24th, Leigh Ann Reynolds, NHEE Administrator, will lead a hiking series called "Together We Can Take EE to New Heights." This series includes three fire tower hikes and aims to raise awareness about the benefits of outdoor learning and adventures, provide an opportunity for NHEE members to network and experience these benefits, and spread the word about the NHEE'd to Get Outside Grant Donation Drive.For more information and to sign-up, email Leigh Ann at info@nhee.org.
Sam Trombley is the Marketing Manager at Granite Outdoor. If you’re interested in sharing a topic for a future SANDBOX piece, reach out to sam via email (sam@graniteoutdoor.org).