Why

Outdoor learning is typically funded through a very mixed and at times confusing funding model which means that not all schools, youth group or young people are able to access the necessary funding streams, to compound this issue many organisations in the outdoor learning sector are commercial and are unable to unlock charitable and grant based funding to support its clients.

It is of no surprise that this issue of cost and funding has been frequently identified and highlighted as a barrier preventing young people from benefitting fully from outdoor learning. There has been significant pressure on the funding model for the sector, including as an effect of the decrease in bookings over the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited resources, across financial, physical, capacity and time, create the most impenetrable barriers to engagement from young people in outdoor learning.

However numerous reports highlight both the benefits both to young people and society at large from investing in young people having access to Outdoor Learning in natural environments.  In its 2022 report Natural England highlighted the forecast Social Return on Investment (SROI) ratio for learning outside the classroom in natural environment as £4.32 for every £1 invested.  

Clearly there is an economic reason for investment in Outdoor Learning in addition to those around empowerment of young people as acknowledged by the Welsh Parlaments Outdoor Education ( Wales ) Bill.