Start Where You Are

Melissa Laurie
Jun 18
2 min read

Bringing Outdoor Learning to Any School: No Forest Required

Outdoor learning doesn’t require a forest, a grant, or a Pinterest-worthy classroom.

It starts with stepping outside the door and asking a question.

At The GAP Lab, we’ve seen outdoor learning happen on blacktop, sidewalks, grassy strips between portable classrooms, even in parking lots. The magic isn’t in the space: it’s in the mindset.

This guide is for educators who believe in the power of nature but aren’t sure where to begin. (Spoiler: you’re probably more ready than you think.)

Why Go Outside?

Even small doses of outdoor learning can:

Improve focus and engagement
Boost physical and mental health
Foster connection to place and peers
Increase retention of academic content
Make space for movement, wonder, and joy

And bonus: it costs nothing.

Step-by-Step: Starting Outdoor Learning Anywhere

1. Scout Your Space

Start with what you’ve got. Look for:

A patch of grass or garden bed
A blacktop with chalk potential
A sidewalk with puddles, cracks, and textures
A courtyard or awning with natural light

Ask: What could this space become in the hands of curious kids?

2. Start With 10-Minute Invitations

Don’t plan a unit. Plan a moment.

“What do you notice about the sky right now?”
“How many textures can you feel on the ground?”
“Let’s take our journals outside today.”

Consistency matters more than duration. Make going outside a rhythm, not a reward.

3. Connect It to the Standards

Outdoor learning is academic. You just have to name the connection.

Observing patterns → science
Measuring shadows → math
Nature journaling → writing
Debating outdoor ethics → social studies

Anchor activities to your existing goals and watch your lessons come alive.

4. Build Comfort Over Time

You don’t need all the answers or perfect gear.

Use clipboards and crayons.
Set simple routines (line up at the cone, bring a sit pad).
Invite curiosity.
Accept the mess!

Over time, you’ll learn how to manage transitions, prep materials, and create meaningful structure outdoors.

5. Find Allies

Invite a colleague to co-teach one outdoor activity. Ask families to donate old rain gear. Talk to your admin about a “Green Hour” each week.

You don’t have to do it alone. You just have to go first.

Final Thoughts

Outdoor learning isn’t just for the well-resourced or the wildly brave. It’s for you. Right where you are. Right now.

So open the door. Ask a question. Bring a clipboard. Start small. Go often. Watch what happens.

You’re not just going outside.You’re opening up possibility.