COVID-19 Pandemic Threatens Outdoor Education Programs

Outdoor learning and access to nature provides positive benefits for children of all ages. Beyond reduction of stress and enhanced concentration, outdoor learning is a popular activity that can be easily adapted to adhere to current public health guidelines. Most of these programs are provided by nature centers, outdoor-science schools, parks and zoos.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, is threatening the survival of programs that provide outdoor environmental and science education as well. An article by the University of California Berkeley points out that, because of significant revenue losses, nearly 63 percent of 1,000 outdoor-education programs for K-12 students are in danger of closing, with little chance of reopening. Additional information about COVID’s effects on environmental and outdoor education programs can be found by reading this Lawrence Hall of Science article.

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