Outdoor Learning Conference 2026

Outdoor learning, when done well, is the best form of good teaching. But what is outdoor learning: what are we doing – educationally and pedagogically – when we take our teaching outdoors, be it the local park or a backcountry canoe trip, and how do we know if it’s working? In this workshop we will examine the underlying beliefs and unquestioned assumptions behind some of the most common frameworks of outdoor learning. As we acknowledge their benefits, reveal their limitations, and question their implications, we will work together to put theory to our actions: taking your educational values, experiences, and goals and weaving them around the fabric of your existing outdoor learning practice to create a robust educational framework unique to you. Coming away from this workshop with a deeper understanding of how pedagogical practice operates and an enhanced awareness of the unspoken assumptions of much outdoor learning, this is an opportunity to take your practice to the next level.