Outdoor activities for social connectedness, cohesion and well-being of youth

The project aims to transform educational practices, moving from frequent indoor activities to regular use of the outdoor environment and using it as a tool for the improvement of social connectedness and social cohesion of youth. In this project, we present the main dimensions related to outdoor activities and highlight the role of professionals and educators in creating quality outdoor play opportunities. The new applied methodology will evoke social inclusion, lifelong learning and survival skills among the youngsters. Through the connection to place, students will develop stronger environmental attitudes and civic behaviours. Through this kind of learning experience, we will create the foundation for raising the next generation of active citizens who take care of their natural and human communities. At the same time, we will increase their motivation and outdoor participation by creating challenges and games that will give educators new pointers for developing new educational curricula. In the centre of the new learning, the methodology will be the art of storytelling.

Results:
➡️Youth wellbeing and getting Outdoors after COVID-19” Handbook,
 ️➡️30-Day Outdoor Journey” IT application.

Objectives:
➡️Introducing outdoor learning as an active, experiential approach to teaching and learning, open to all, that involves being outdoors as a central part of the experience. Our goal is to use the outdoor environment as a vehicle for transforming the experience into knowledge, skills, attitudes and actions. Through this kind of approach, we will help youngsters to develop knowledge of themselves, others, the environment and the curriculum, and encourage social connectedness, cohesion, empathy, tolerance, understanding, cooperation and collaboration.
➡️To develop an outdoor methodology that will improve the formal curricula at different educational levels and support social connectedness and cohesion by combining outdoor activities, storytelling and holistic learning.
➡️ Developing the “Youth Wellbeing and Getting Outdoors after COVID-19” handbook is essential to the new educational agenda.
➡️ To design and implement a set of outdoor activities that will help young people develop skills for independent play in nature (or outdoor environment) aimed to boost their self–confidence and support social integration, connectedness and cohesion.
➡️ To define the best outdoor areas in each participant organisation and to propose an additional document for safety and prevention in outdoor activities.