Mountain Awards

Best Of 2021: Favourite article, research, charity

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Despite the tricky events this past year, some fantastic breakthroughs in the world of adventure learning are happening as we speak.

Here is a lightning fast round up of my 2021 favourites. Please enjoy!

kids survival

Article

School Learning Areas is a wonderful idea put forward by David Crossland. Essentially, it’s an outdoor space in – or near – your school, which teachers can take a class to whenever they feel like it.

A simple idea, but highly effective for increasing engagement and wellbeing in students.

Research

Dr Toby Quibell has published a fantastic impact report on Wilderness Schooling. It’s special because it measures the impact on attainment (instead of wellbeing or non-cognitive skills).

In summary, he takes groups of students to learn maths, science and English in a forest setting (for just 6 day sessions, spread over 6 weeks). The impact on their school grades is astounding. Students re-engage and improve their academic skills. Most importantly they see long term attainment improve (not just a short term spike). Prepare to be inspired!

New charity

Huge congrats to Olivia Hill for launching Operation Reach. We’ve had some great chats over the past 2 years and the approach she is taking will have a great impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In a nutshell, the charity takes student groups on international adventures (eg Ladakh), to discover the world and themselves – thus breaking out of their bubble and realising their potential. Excited to see how their first trip this summer goes.

O. Hill – Operation Reach