The Buzz on Outdoor Education in the COVID Era

This time of year wasps, bees, and flies seem extra active. Their busyness speaks to the ramp up before winter as bees seek more carbohydrates to boost energy stores for the long cold season ahead. Wasps shift from earlier season work of eating insects and collecting them for the young colony to consuming carbohydrates for easy energy in late summer. It's as if wasps, like us, also desire respite from toil and work. 

We long to be outdoors in these waning days of summer, soaking as much as we can of sun and warm air, and these insects' presence in our outdoor adventures can be difficult to navigate. An afternoon in the yard can be easily derailed by a bee sting. Trail rides are complicated when flies are bothering the horses. Cookouts and picnics are hotspots for attracting them. And why is the flyswatter never where we need it? Still, these insects in this season bring to mind the concepts of tolerating discomfort and challenge in order to continue our outdoor pursuits.

Bees, flies, and wasps aren't necessarily what we think about in relation to outdoor education and more specifically, education in the outdoors, but there are parallels to be drawn. As schools head back amidst the pandemic here in the upper Midwest, there has been lots of increased buzz around the role of time outdoors in mediating the risk of spreading COVID19. Today's post is dedicated to sharing some resources, considering barriers and possibilities, and inviting you to do the same in your community. 

Why Outdoors? Why Now?

Epidemiologists have shared that respiratory viruses are most easily transmitted in closed indoor enviroments where people gather, especially over extended periods of time. Traditional schools are closed indoor environments, and many of us are familiar with how the return to school in the fall means an uptick in colds followed by flu and respiratory infection season of the long winter months. 

It makes sense that experts are talking about getting schoolchildren and their teachers outside as much as possible since we are dealing with a novel coronavirus this year. Families are longing for normalcy so that children are continuing to learn, grow, socialize in safe places. Adult caregivers are struggling to balance work with schooling at home and constant or near-constant childcare supervision and demands. Educators are concerned about spending most of their days indoors in contact with many people. The complications and challenges of schooling in a virtual landscape are formidable. Wearing a mask all day can be challenging for young people, too. These factors and more have brought the outdoors into the conversation about what to do with school in a relevant and urgent way.

Many schools are exploring the option of expanding learning to the outdoors.

Green Schoolyards America has convened a consortium of working groups around utilizing outdoor resources to mediate the impacts of COVID. They've issued a brief resource outlining why outdoor options may be effective in reopening schools during the pandemic. This group has focused on sharing issues of equity, case studies, ideas, plans, and other resources for educators and school communities.

The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has issued eeGuidance for Reopening Schools which provides guidance for steps schools can take to incorporate the principles and framework of environmental education in this challenging time. 

More locally, here in Wisconsin, several schools and teachers have been exploring and expanding their outdoor learning spaces and options. The community around this public Montessori school rallied to build some outdoor spaces in the span of just about 2 weeks. In another story, one teacher's determination to create an outdoor space also led to support from her community to get the work done. 

Outside the Box Thinking

For many schools, typical recess activities will be restricted due to the need for social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID. This has caused some educators to think creatively about how they might take learning outside and maintain safe distances between students. Ideas include:

• Collaborating with local parks to use greenspace
• Working with local law enforcement to close down local streets surrounding schools temporarily for access to outdoor spaces
• Partnering with local rental centers for tents and temporary shade structures
• Connecting with local and regional environmental education and outdoor education providers for guidance

Barriers

All the buzz around moving learning outside or exploring outdoor options for the upcoming school year does not ignore the challenges. These include:

• Site limitations. 

Many school campuses may not have access to much space beyond their building footprint. 

• Teacher readiness. 

Educators have plenty to deal with this year in addition to considering moving their groups outside.

• Family awareness. 

Parents and caregivers may have questions and concerns about outdoor learning. Some families may not have access to gear and supplies for outdoor learning or may be stressed to consider adding onto school supply lists to include things like sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and sturdy shoes. 

• Planning time. 

Getting outside involves deliberate and purposeful advance planning, communication with coworkers and administration, and in some schools, filling out paperwork for permission.

• Group management. 

Being in the outdoors often brings out exuberant movement, voice levels, and playfulness in young people...as it should! While these are things we hope to encourage and support in all children, the focus of schooling can bring a need for supporting children to find focus and attention to topics, directions, safety considerations, and respect for others. 

• Weather, Wasps, Wherewithall. 

Weather is often the number one concern for educators and school districts when it comes to getting outdoors. There are few remaining months of seasonable temps and sunshine before the cold sets in here in Wisconsin. Rain and wind can be challenging. Many schools do not have the option of open air pavilion-type spaces, and we wonder about how these types of structures may become more common as we consider the lessons of this pandemic. 

All educators receive mandatory training in EpiPen use and first aid for stings. This consideration may become more important as more groups head outside. 

In a recent article in Slate about learning outdoors, Laura White, an educator from New Hampshire stated, "I feel like the question of logistics is a little bit of a misconception” in the conversation about taking classes outside. I feel like the biggest obstacle is just a paradigm shift, a change in attitude.”

Possibilities: Local Support is Available

Here in the Driftless Region of southwest Wisconsin, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve's Education Program has offered nearly two decades of providing outdoor experiences for visiting school groups, summer campers, and adult learners. As we embark on an uncertain school year season, we encourage area educators and school districts to reach out for support in moving learning outside. Our Outdoor Education Outreach program can connect you with resources, instructors, staff training, and other supports for getting your students outside. For more information about how your school or classroom can be supported with outdoor education this year, please reach out to kickapoo.reserve@gmail.com