The PA Association of Environmental Educators and the North American Association for Environmental Education Affiliate Network have relaunched a pledge campaign called Outside for 5 encouraging teachers, administrators, nonformal educators, youth development leaders, and parents in Pennsylvania to engage students and children in outdoor learning for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time.

The Outside for 5 campaign was first developed in 2022 in response to the pandemic-related decline in youth mental health and the associated impact on classroom educators who have faced increased levels of burnout.

In addition to pandemic-related burnout, many students and teachers are facing difficult issues in their communities related to climate change, social justice, and more.

This campaign is focused on engaging communities in outdoor learning as a way to provide a more enriching and healthy learning environment.

There is a large and compelling body of evidence-based research that demonstrates the benefits of outdoor learning for mental health and well-being, stress and anxiety reduction, physical health, student engagement, and academic success.

Outdoor educational experiences also offer schools an opportunity to ignite learning, which addresses both social and emotional well-being as well as learning loss.

“Our goal with this campaign is to inspire educators to think outside the box when it comes to enhancing the social-emotional wellness of their students, each other, and their entire school community,” said Sarah Bodor, NAAEE’s Director of Policy & Affiliate Relations. “We want kids to get outside and experience the benefits of nature’s classroom.”

PAEE invites school administrators and educators of all grade levels to sign the Outside for 5 pledge online and commit to spending at least 5 minutes a day outside with their students.

Whether that means teaching a classroom lesson outside, studying the local ecosystem, or taking a short walk across the school campus, everyone can benefit from going Outside for 5.

Click Here to take the pledge and for more information.

For more information on programs, initiatives, resources and other upcoming events, visit the PA Association of Environmental Educators website.  Click Here to sign up for the PAEE newsletter (bottom of page, left).  Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to support PAEE’s work.

[Posted: April 15, 2024]

4/22/2024