Delight For Early Day Motion Championing Outdoor Learning for Young People.

UK Youth has welcomed an Early Day Motion highlighting the importance of outdoor learning.

As a leader in outdoor learning youth work, UK Youth “enables young people to participate in high-quality outdoor learning experiences that deliver learning and personal development”. The national youth work charity recognises outdoor learning helps young people develop vital life skills, including communication, teamwork and resilience.

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has now submitted an Early Day Motion urging the Government to recognise the “wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people”.

Early day motions are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons.

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.

Mr Farron’s motion says: “That this House recognises the significant benefits of outdoor learning for children and young people; urges the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the value of those benefits; notes that more time learning outdoors provides an opportunity for children to learn skills and characteristics to cope with many of the societal problems of climate change, worsening child mental health, and high child obesity levels; further notes there is significant evidence that outdoor learning and youth work enables better engagement with education, builds pro-environmental behaviours from a young age, and establishes team work and resilience in young people; and recognises that these practices build on a long heritage of outdoor learning in the UK.”

David Watts, UK Youth director of outdoor learning, said: “Avon Tyrrell supports equitable access for all young people and is proud to be a leader in the use of outdoor learning youth work to transform the lives of young people and communities. Young people sit at the heart of our work at Avon Tyrrell and our Experience, Learn and Develop framework ensures we support personal development on every visit, be it one of our popular educational visits or a family break or day out.

“We believe experiential outdoor learning gives young people the chance to develop socio emotional and life skills, including improved communication, motivation, teamwork and resilience, and building character. 

“We are pleased this EDM references outdoor learning and youth work together, this is a good win for our influencing work in this area.” 

David Watts, UK Youth director of outdoor learning.