Abstract
Being active in nature carries many benefits and there are a number of ways to design and deliver outdoor programs so that young people can realize these benefits. This paper provides an environmental scan of the outdoor education (OE) programs currently offered in public school, grades 6-12, across British Columbia (BC). The environmental scan methodology involved (a) a review of academic literature related to OE in Canada and BC, and (b) an internet search of programs in each school in BC. The results of the scan outline the wide-ranging outdoor learning activities being conducted in each of the 63 school districts in BC. Analysis of the literature and websites revealed eight main categories of OE programs: (a) physical and health education courses; (b) programs with an Indigenous focus; (c) interdisciplinary programs; (d) unique content programs; (e) annual trips; (f) district programs; (g) school-wide initiatives; and (h) community partnership programs. This environmental scan has implications for educators, administrators, non-governmental organizations wishing to partner with schools, BC Boards of Education, the provincial Ministry of Education, and other provinces and countries regarding creation of programs and resource allocation for outdoor learning.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, S., & Savahl, S. (2017). Nature as children’s space: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental Education, 48(5), 291–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2017.1366160
Affolderbach, J. (2011). Environmental bargains: Power struggles and decision making over British Columbia’s and Tasmania’s old-growth forests. Economic Geography, 87(2), 181–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-8287.2011.01107.x
Allender, S., Cowburn, G., & Foster, C. (2006). Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: A review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research, 21(6), 826–835. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyl063
Amy Woodland Elementary School (2020). About our school. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://www.sd5.bc.ca/school/awes/About/Pages/default.aspx#/=.
Asfeldt, M., Purc-Stephenson, R., Rawleigh, M., & Thackeray, S. (2020). Outdoor education in Canada: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1784767
Bell, N., & Brant, T. (2015). Culturally relevant aboriginal education. Pearson.
Blad, E. (2014). Poll: Majority of students “engaged”. Education Week, 33(28), 14–15.
Bølling, M., Niclasen, J., Bentsen, P., & Nielsen, G. (2019). Association of education outside the classroom and pupils’ psychosocial well-being: Results from a school year implementation. Journal of School Health, 89(3), 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12730
Breunig, M., Murtell, J., & Russell, C. (2015). Students’ experiences with/in integrated environmental studies programs in Ontario. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 15(4), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2014.955354
Brighouse School. (n.d.). Grades 6 & 7 outdoor education. Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://brighouse.sd38.bc.ca/grades-6-7-outdoor-education
British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2016). Physical and Health Education 9. Retrieved from https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/physical-health-education/9
British Columbia Ministry of Education (2018). Physical and Health Education - Outdoor Education Grade 12. Retrieved from www.curriculum.gov.bc.ca
British Columbia Ministry of Education (2020). Physical and health education. BC’s New Curriculum. Retrieved July 6, 2020, from https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/physical-health-education
Caner, C. (2009). A review of outdoor learning in British Columbia public schools. Royal Roads University. Retrieved from http://eprints.uanl.mx/5481/1/1020149995.PDF
Castleberry, A., & Nolen, A. (2018). Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy as it sounds? Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 10(6), 807–815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2018.03.019
Cheakamus Centre (2020). Outdoor school program teacher’s guide. Brackendale. Retrieved from https://cheakamuscentre.ca/assets/docs/forms/2018/ODS_Teachers_Guide.pdf
Cheakamus Centre. (n.d.). Welcome to Cheakamus Centre. Retrieved May 24, 2020, from https://cheakamuscentre.ca/
Child and Nature Alliance. (2020). Retrieved April 23, 2020, from https://childnature.ca/about/
Coe, H. (2016). From excuses to encouragements: Confronting and overcoming the barriers to early childhood outdoor learning in Canadian schools. Journal of Childhood Studies, 41(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.18357/jcs.v41i1.15461
Choo, C. W. (2001). Environmental scanning as information seeking and organizational learning. Information Research, 7(1), 1–25.
Chrona, J. A. L. (2014). First peoples principles of learning. Retrieved June 13, 2019, from https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com/
Cirkony, C. (2015). Environmental learning: How BC teachers find and use resources. Eco-thinking, 1. https://journals.lib.sfu.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/985/595
Cohn, I. (2011). Indigenous ways - fruits of our ancestors. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 11(1), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2010.532992
Comishin, K., Dyment, J. E., Potter, T. G., & Russell, C. L. (2004). The development and implementation of outdoor-based secondary school integrated programs. Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 3(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/15330150490270631
Coulthard, G. (2010). Place against empire: Understanding indigenous anti-colonialism. Affinities: A Journal of Radical Theory, Culture, and Action, 4(2), 79–83.
Dickinson, E. (2013). The misdiagnosis: Rethinking “nature-deficit disorder”. Environmental Communication, 7, 315–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2013.802704
Doolittle, S. (2016). Engaging middle school students in physical education and physical activity programs. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 87(6), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2016.1192940
Dorey, J. (2013). Madeira Park Elementary embraces experiential learning. The Local Weekly. Retrieved from https://www.thelocalweekly.ca/madeira-park-elementary-embraces-experiential-learning/
Dyment, J. E., & Potter, T. G. (2015). Is outdoor education a discipline? Provocations and possibilities. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 15(3), 193–208.
Earthquest. (n.d.). About. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.earthquest.ca/about-1
Environmental School Project. (2021). Welcome to the Environmental School Project in Maple Ridge. : Place-based imaginative and ecological education in Maple Ridge, BC. https://es.sd42.ca/
Fitzsimmons, D. (n.d.). Fraser cascade mountain school. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from http://www.mountainschool.ca/
Forest School Canada. (2014). Forest and nature school in Canada: A head, heart, hands approach to outdoor learning. In Https://www.Childnature.Ca/. http://www.forestschoolcanada.ca/wp-content/themes/wlf/images/FSC-Guide_web.pdf
Ford, P. (1986). Outdoor education: Definition and philosophy. ERIC Digest. ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools.
Gibb, H. (2013). An environmental scan of an aged care workplace using the PARiHS model: Assessing preparedness for change. Journal of Nursing Management, 21(2), 293–303. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2012.01407.x
Glaser, B. G. (2002). Conceptualization: On theory and theorizing using grounded theory. International Journal of Qualitative Methodology, 1(2), 23–38.
Graham, P., Evitts, T., & Thomas-Maclean, R. (2008). Environmental scans: How useful are they for primary health care research? Canadian Family Physician, 54(July), 1022–1023.
Gray, C., Gibbons, R., Larouche, R., Sandseter, E. B. H., Bienenstock, A., Brussoni, M., … Tremblay, M. S. (2015). What is the relationship between outdoor time and physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness in children? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6455–6474. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120606455.
Greenwood, M., & de Leeuw, S. (2007). Teachings from the land: Indigenous people, our health, our land, and our children. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 30(1), 48–53.
Gruenewald, D. A. (2003). The best of both worlds: A critical pedagogy of place. Educational Researcher, 32(4), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032004003
Haig-Brown, C. (2018). Working to reconcile: Truth, action, and Indigenous education in Canada. Race and Racialization, 2E: Essential Readings, 318.
Henderson, B. (2007). A Canadian meets friluftsliv. In B. Henderson & N. Vikander (Eds.), Nature first: Outdoor life the friluftsliv way (pp. 3–7). Natural Heritage Books.
Henderson, B, & Potter, T.G. (2001). Outdoor adventure education in Canada: Seeking the country way back in. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 6(1), 225–242. Retrieved from http://jee.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/cjee/article/view/297
Ho, Y. C. J., Block, S., & Blenkinsop, S. (2018). A multifaceted jewel: Outdoor education in Canada. In M. T. Huang & Y. C. J. Ho (Eds.), The budding and blooming of outdoor education in diverse global contexts (pp. 11–36). National Academy for Educational Research.
Hodges, B. D., Albert, M., Arweiler, D., Akseer, S., Bandiera, G., Byrne, N., … Reeves, S. (2011). The future of medical education: A Canadian environmental scan. Medical Education, 45(1), 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03737.x.
Johnson, J., & Ali, A. E. (2020). Paddling as resistance? Exploring an indigenous approach to land-based education amongst Manitoba youth. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 14(4), 205–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/15595692.2019.1669015
Journey Middle School. (2020). Exploratories. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from http://journey.web.sd62.bc.ca/programs/exploratories/
Kalula, S. Z., Scott, V., Dowd, A., & Brodrick, K. (2011). Falls and fall prevention programmes in developing countries: Environmental scan for the adaptation of the Canadian falls prevention curriculum for developing countries. Journal of Safety Research, 42(6), 461–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2010.12.003
Kroeker, D. (2017). OACES. Retrieved May 25, 2020, from https://prezi.com/dsbsewamenn2/oaces/
Langdale Elementary. (2020). School information. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://langdale.sd46.bc.ca/
Leong-Fischer, J., & Tan, D. (2019). Burnaby’s Morley Elementary garden committee sustains school garden. Fraser Health Authority. Retrieved from https://www.fraserhealth.ca/news/2019/Oct/morley-elementary-garden-committee-sustains-school-garden#.XtUg1zpKiUl
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
Loring, P. A., & Hinzman, M. S. (2018). “They’re all really important, but…”: Unpacking how people prioritize values for the marine environment in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Ecological Economics, 152, 367–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.06.020
Lucerne Secondary School. (2020). Outdoor education & sports. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from https://less.sd10.bc.ca/innovative-programs/outdoor-education-sports/
Maher, P. T. (2018). Conversations across the pond: Connections between Canadian and Western European outdoor studies over the last 20 years. In P. Becker, C. Loynes, B. Humberstone, & J. Schirp (Eds.), The changing world of outdoor learning in Europe (pp. 251–263). Routledge.
McClaren, M., & Ramsay, M. (1972). Summary of outdoor and environmental education activities in British Columbia. British Columbia Teachers’ Federation.
McLean, S. (2013). The whiteness of green: Racialization and environmental education. The Canadian Geographer, 57, 354–362. https://doi.org/10.1111/cag.12025
Mullins, P., Lowan-Trudeau, G., & Fox, K. (2015). Healing the split head of outdoor recreation and outdoor education: Revisiting indigenous knowledge from multiple perspectives. In Routledge international handbook of outdoor studies (pp. 49–58). Routledge.
Mutz, M., & Muller, J. (2016). Mental health benefits of outdoor adventures: Results from two pilot studies. Journal of Adolescence, 49, 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.03.009
Mygind, L., Kjeldsted, E., Hartmeyer, R., Mygind, E., Bølling, M., & Bentsen, P. (2019). Mental, physical and social health benefits of immersive nature-experience for children and adolescents: A systematic review and quality assessment of the evidence. Health and Place, 58, 102–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.05.014
Outward Bound. (2020a). Our story. Retrieved June 8, 2020, from https://www.outwardbound.ca/about-us/our-story/
Outward Bound. (2020b). Rocky mountain mindfulness for teens. Retrieved June 8, 2020, from https://www.outwardbound.ca/courses/rocky-mountain-mindfulness-for-teens/
Parkland Secondary. (2020). Outdoor Education WCT. PE Department. Retrieved June 25, 2020, from https://parkland.sd63.bc.ca/course/view.php?id=161
Passmore, J. (1972). Outdoor education in Canada - 1972 (Vol. 5). Canadian Education Association. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221473.1960.10611164
Picknoll, D. (2017). The nature and scope of outdoor education in Western Australian secondary schools [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Notre Dame Australia.
Potter, T. G., & Henderson, B. (2004). Canadian outdoor adventure education: Hear the challenge — Learn the lessons. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 4(1), 69–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729670485200441
Province of British Columbia. (2021a). British Columbia school districts regions [Image]. Regions and school districts. https://bcforhighschool.gov.bc.ca/en/tile/regions-of-bc-map/
Province of British Columbia. (2021b). British Columbia school districts regions. BC for high school. https://bcforhighschool.gov.bc.ca/en/tile/regions-of-bc-map/
Province of British Columbia. (2021c). Consulting with First Nations. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations
Province of British Columbia. (2021d). Crown land and water use. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/crown-land
Puk, T., & Makin, D. (2006). Ecological consciousness in Ontario elementary schools: The truant curriculum and the consequences. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 5, 269–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/15330150601088968
Purc-Stephenson, R., Hutchinson, M., Kemp, H., & Asfeldt, M. (2019). We are wilderness explorers: A qualitative review of outdoor education research in Canada. The Journal of Experimental Education, 42(4), 364–381.
Raincoast Education Society. (n.d.). Raincoast field school. Retrieved June 04, 2021, https://raincoasteducation.org/
Redvers, J. (2020). “The land is a healer”: Perspectives on land-based healing from indigenous practitioners in northern Canada. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 15(1), 90–107. https://doi.org/10.32799/ijih.v15i1.34046
Richmond Secondary (n.d.). Physical and Health Education. Retrieved May 9, 2020, from http://rhs.sd38.bc.ca/students/program-planning/physical-education
Rick Hansen Secondary. (2020). Outdoor club. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://rickhansen.abbyschools.ca/parentsstudents/clubs/outdoor
Ritchie, S. D., Wabano, M. J., Corbiere, R. G., Restoule, B. M., Russell, K. C., & Young, N. L. (2015). Connecting to the good life through outdoor adventure leadership experiences designed for indigenous youth. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 15(4), 350–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2015.1036455
Rogers Secondary School. (n.d.). ATLAS: Adventure, tourism, leadership and safety. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from http://lvrsecondary1.weebly.com/atlas.html
Rowel, R., Moore, N. D., Nowrojee, S., Memiah, P., & Bronner, Y. (2005). The utility of the environmental scan for public health practice: Lessons from an urban program to increase cancer screening. Journal of the National Medical Association, 97(4), 527–534.
Russell, C., Bell, A., & Fawcett, L. (2000). Navigating the waters of Canadian environmental education. In T. Goldstein & D. Selby (Eds.), Weaving connections: Educating for peace, social and environmental justice (pp. 196–217). Sumach Press.
Salazar, D. J., & Alper, D. K. (2011). Justice and environmentalisms in the British Columbia and U.S. pacific northwest environmental movements. Society and Natural Resources, 24(8), 767–784. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920903452989
Saldana, J. (2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (3rd ed.). Sage.
Sardis Secondary School. (2020). Agriculture courses at SSS. Retrieved June 8, 2020, from https://sss.sd33.bc.ca/agriculture-courses-sss
Saturna Ecological Education Centre. (n.d.). Retrieved June 4, 2020, from http://seecsaturna.ca/
School District 87. (2019). Framework for enhancing student learning between SD87 Stikine and the 3 Nations Partnership. Retrieved from http://www.sd87.bc.ca/Documents/FN%20Education/3N%20School%20District%2087%20Report%20February%202019.pdf
Scott, G., & Colquhoun, D. (2013). Changing spaces, changing relationships: The positive impact of learning out of doors. Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, 17(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400955
Sobel, D. (2004). Place-based education: Connecting classrooms and community. Great Barrington, MA. https://doi.org/10.1093/isle/13.1.238
Stanley Humphries Secondary School. (2020). Course selection book for grades 10, 11, and 12. . Retrieved from https://shsscastlegar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/New-2020-2021-Senior-Booklet-Course-Selection.pdf
Statistics Canada. (2018). First Nations people, Metis and Inuit in Canada: Diverse and growing populations. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-659-x/89-659-x2018001-eng.htm
Tatla Lake Elementary-Junior Secondary. (2019). School orientation booklet for students and parents. Cariboo-Chilcotin. Retrieved from https://www.sd27.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019-10-17-tatla-lake-handbook-2019-2020.pdf
Terbasket, K., & Greenwood, M. (2007). British Columbia first nations head start program: An overview of policy development 1998-2007. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 30(1), 75–82.
Tillmann, S., Tobin, D., Avison, W., & Gilliland, J. (2018). Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: A systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 958–966. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2018-210436
Tooms, M. (2015). The Charles Bloom forestry program: Highlighting skills training through hands-on experience. British Columbia School Trustees Association, (5), 5–6. Retrieved from https://www.bcforestconversation.com/wp-content/uploads/Charles-Bloom-Secondary-Forestry-Program1.pdf
TREK Outdoor Education Program. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2020, from http://www.trekoutdoorprogram.ca/
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Honouring the truth, reconciling for the future: Summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Winnipeg, MB.
Rickinson, M., Dillon, J., Teamey, K., Morris, M., Choi, M. ., Sanders, D., & Benefield, P. (2004). A review of research on outdoor learning. National Foundation for Educational Research and King’s College London. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/a-review-of-research-on-outdoor-learning(18eca605-d43c-42f9-a3abfee4225f7c95)/export.html
Valuable resource has a home in Kinnaird Elementary. (2013). Castlegar News. Retrieved from https://www.castlegarnews.com/community/valuable-resource-has-a-home-in-kinnaird-elementary/
Wall, S. (2009). The nurture of nature: Childhood, antimodernism, and Ontario Summer Camps, 1920-55. University of British Columbia Press.
Wildsight. (n.d.). Wildsight education. Retrieved June 8, 2020, from https://wildsight.ca/programs/education/
Zelko, F. (2004). Making Greenpeace: The development of direct action environmentalism in British Columbia. BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly, 142–143(Summer), 197–239. https://doi.org/10.14288/bcs.v0i142/3.1725
Zhang, X., Majid, S., & Foo, S. (2010). Environmental scanning: An application of information literacy skills at the workplace. Journal of Information Science, 36(6), 719–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551510385644
Funding
This work was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship (grant number 752-2019-2066).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest/competing interests
• The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
• The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
• Both authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
• The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any material discussed in this article.
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gruno, J., Gibbons, S. Types of outdoor education programs for adolescents in British Columbia: an environmental scan. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 25, 117–144 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-021-00090-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-021-00090-x