Outdoor & Woodland Learning Scotland is dedicated to increasing the use of Scotland’s outdoor environments for learning for young people both formally through schools and informally.

Learning outdoors creates a context which encourages children and young people to make connections with the world and their learning indoors. Scotland’s outdoors encompasses village, town and cityscapes through to stunning natural environments. Using these places for learning, especially those on the doorstep, engages children, young people and others in learning actively and linking this experience to other learning in their lives.

Outdoor and Woodland Learning can take many forms and take place in any outdoor environment. OWL Scotland recognises the special context for learning afforded by woodlands but supports learning across all outdoor environments.

There are a range of approaches that can be taken with outdoor and woodland learning, which can range from brief forays into your school grounds, visits to your local natural spaces to fully outdoor nurseries and longer term programmes such as Forest School and residential visits.

There are many benefits to allowing children to play freely in local woodlands or greenspace on a frequent and regular basis. This includes increased physical activity, greater knowledge about nature and, the long term, a stronger likelihood that these children grow up to become adults who understand and demonstrate positive attitudes and actions towards caring for the environment.

There are a range of approaches that can be taken with outdoor and woodland learning, which can range from brief forays into your school grounds, visits to your local natural spaces to fully outdoor nurseries and longer term programmes such as Forest School and residential visits.

There are many benefits to allowing children to play freely in local woodlands or greenspace on a frequent and regular basis. This includes increased physical activity, greater knowledge about nature and, the long term, a stronger likelihood that these children grow up to become adults who understand and demonstrate positive attitudes and actions towards caring for the environment.

FAQs

What kind of resources do OWL Scotland have to encourage outdoor learning?

OWL Scotland has a wide range of on line resources to help you on your learning journey. From activity packs focusing on growing in the ‘Wee Green Fingers Fun Pack’ for early years/ primary school groups through to Woodland Management Tree Cycle activities for Secondary pupils.

Other resources are available on the website such as guidance on tool use and fires,  reports such as ‘Sustainable Management of Local Spaces used Regularly for  Learning and Play’ and other useful information on research and  information provided by local OWL groups.  A short search will open up many possibilities and encourage leaders to get outdoors with their groups.

Outdoor Learning can take place in urban and rural locations. The minimum required is an outdoor site with natural features including some trees and shelter. In some cases, school grounds can make an ideal starting point. You should be best able to judge suitability of a site for your needs. However, even if you think a wood may be ideal you must check with the landowner or manager that they agree to its use. See the OWL Scotland Guidance for Landowners.

Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times when outdoors. The three main principals of this include respect the interest of others, care for the environment and take responsibility for your own actions.

If you don’t know who owns the woodland contact your local Scottish Forestry Conservancy office or to use a Forestry and Land Scotland wood for educational visits, contact your local Forestry and Land Scotland Office.

Other ways to find and record information about your site – Explore your local area – what green spaces can you find? Look at local maps. Use online satellite mapping online to identify possible sites.

Scotland’s Greenspace Map is an innovative Geographical Information System (GIS) based map which provides comprehensive information on the location, extent and type of greenspace across all of Scotland’s urban settlements (towns and cities with a population of 3,000 or more).

Education Scotland has an online site search facility for Places to Learn Outdoors

VisitWoods is an interactive website developed by the Woodland Trust showcasing local woods. The site includes searchable maps, inspiring ideas, free activities and space to upload your photos and tips.

The sustainable management of local spaces used regularly for learning and play : A case study report for Scottish Forestry

Risks and hazards surround us all on a daily basis. Follow your school/ organisations procedures and complete a risk assessment or risk benefit analysis of your site and for the activities you are planning or might complete. Remember a risk assessment should be dynamic so that you can add to this if situations change on site, as long as you are including factors to lower risks or leave the area if the risk is too high.

Remember that benefits should be weighed up against risks. It is often hard to learn new skills if we are not prepared to face an element of risk. A risk benefit analysis is the best way to assess if an activity should take place. You could shadow one of your local OWL group members to gain more confidence and skills in this area.

The simple answer is no! The beauty of the natural world is that is provides inspiration and materials on a daily basis. Clothing that is suitable for the season and location you will be in is important (i.e. wellies and waterproofs if it is due to be wet). The range of affordable and durable outdoor clothing in Scotland is increasing making it possible from more people to enjoy the outdoors for longer.

A tarp and some rope can be useful to provide shelter during snack or lunch breaks. Both can be purchased in hardware shops inexpensively.

Your local OWL group is likely to have a kit lending library so do contact them to see what they have available particularly when it is a more expensive or larger item.

Forest Kindergarten

Forest
Schools

Careers in Forestry