Success of the Outdoor Classroom Project!

The Outdoor Classroom Project is an initiative of the CEC. Our goal is to increase the quantity, quality, and benefits of outdoor experiences for children. We have adapted during the pandemic and have continued to do trainings and offered consulting for educators and programs who want to better understand concepts about outdoor classrooms. 

I just completed a Professional Development Certificate series, Leadership in the Outdoor Classroom. This was a brand-new series of six, three-and-a-half-hour Saturday Zoom sessions over the course of 3 months. We covered a wide range of topics during our time together including climate change and young children; observation, recording, and documentation; an overview of qualitative research and analysis; finding resources for yourself, your children, and your program; and leadership and communication. 

We had over 60 participants, mostly from California, but from as far and wide as Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington. They were engaged and enthusiastic about our sessions together. One participant wrote to me: "I wanted to let you know that I thought this last session was the BEST so far, at least for me…Full of information, ideas and inspiration!!  It was what I was looking for!  Thank you so much for it!" 

It was a joy to be able to share so much of the CEC and what we do here with so many educators and see the transformation in their understanding of the importance of the Outdoor Classroom. Knowing that children in programs all over the country will benefit from the participants' increased understanding and renewed dedication to their own outdoor classrooms drives the Outdoor Classroom Project forward.