Finding ways to engage students mentally and physically in our digital-first world can be challenging.
Not only are teachers looking for ways to break up the day-to-day monotony, but they’re also hoping to find ways to get their students off of screens and to help them grow in new ways.
One great solution? An outdoor expedition or adventure! With an outdoor expedition, students can learn experientially about their world – and themselves. Plus, they’ll get to experience new things and build teamwork skills.
Here are 9 reasons why an outdoor expedition is good for your middle or high school class:
1. An Outdoor Adventure Teaches Students About Their World
There’s nothing quite like hands-on learning. When students are out in nature, they can learn about the environment around them in a way that they can’t from a textbook.
Students are exposed to new animals, plants, and geography during an outdoor expedition. They’re also getting a chance to learn about the human history of their area. Altogether, this can give students a much broader view of the world around them.
2. There’s Something Special About Connecting With Nature
In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to forget about the beauty of nature. Students on an outdoor expedition are forced to slow down and really take in their surroundings.
This can help them appreciate the world around them in a new way. It can also allow them to feel more connected to nature, which can have a calming effect. As the number of students struggling with anxiety and depression rises, having time outdoors can be a valuable tool for helping them cope.
3. Outdoor Adventures Help Students Build Teamwork Skills
Today’s students work independently, but what happens when they need to work together?
An outdoor expedition is a perfect opportunity for students to practice teamwork. They’ll need to communicate and cooperate with each other in order to complete the challenges they’re facing.
This can help them build the skills they need to be successful in group projects and other collaborative activities.
Plus, if you have students who struggle to connect with each other, an outdoor expedition can be a great way to help them build relationships.
4. Students Will Get to Experience New Things
When was the last time your students did something for the first time? Creatures of habit often struggle to branch out and try new things.
On an outdoor expedition, students will constantly be facing new challenges. They may need to try new activities or to deal with unfamiliar situations, like being away from home for an extended period of time.
This can be a great opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and their capabilities. It can also help them appreciate the world around them differently.
5. Outdoor Adventures Can Help Students Unplug from Technology
The stats don’t lie – electronic devices have gone from a luxury to a dependency. Students who have never known a world without screens can often struggle to disconnect from their devices when needed.
An outdoor expedition can be a great way for students to unplug from technology and reconnect with the world around them. This can help them reset their brains and come back refreshed and ready to learn.
6. Students Will Need to Step Outside Their Comfort Zones
In order to grow, students need to be willing to step outside their comfort zones. An outdoor expedition can provide them with ample opportunities to do just that.
Students must push themselves to succeed, from trying new activities to facing unfamiliar challenges. This can be a great opportunity for them to learn more about their personal limits and what they’re capable of. It can also help them build confidence and resilience – two essential skills for success in life.
Don’t be shocked if you see students who lacked self-confidence before the expedition return as leaders.
7. Outdoor Adventures Encourage Healthy Risk-Taking
In order to thrive in our world, students need to be willing to take risks. But not all risks are created equal.
On an outdoor expedition, students will be encouraged to take healthy risks – ones that stretch them outside their comfort zones without putting them in danger. This can help them learn how to evaluate and manage risk, which is an important life skill. It can also help them understand that taking risks can lead to positive outcomes.
8. Outdoor Adventures Encourage Self-Reliance
In our world of instant gratification, it’s easy for students to become reliant on others – but on an outdoor expedition, they won’t have that luxury.
From pitching their tents to cooking their own meals, students must rely on themselves to get things done. This can be an excellent opportunity for them to learn how to be self-reliant and independent.
Imagine how students will thrive when they find their worth and confidence from within instead of from others.
9. Outdoor Adventures Help Students Apply Their School learning in the Real World
One of the best things about outdoor expeditions is that they give students a chance to apply their school learning in the real world. From map reading to math, students need to use the skills they’ve learned to succeed.
This can help them understand how their school learning is relevant to their everyday lives. It can help them see how the things they’re learning in school can be used in the real world, making them more engaged and motivated learners.
Bring Out the Best in Your Students with Deer Hill Expeditions
If you’re looking for an outdoor expedition that will help your students thrive, look no further than Deer Hill Expeditions. We offer high-quality, custom-designed expeditions tailored to meet your student’s unique needs and interests.
We operate in some of the nation’s most beautiful outdoor landscapes -boasting some of the best recreation opportunities in the country. We also have a team of experienced guides who are passionate about outdoor education and helping students grow.
Contact us today to learn more about our expeditions and how we can help your students thrive.