The last few months have been a time of an enforced and increased focus on many things that have a direct bearing on the world of outdoor learning. Changing sources of physical and mental health, tests of financial sustainability and alternative approaches to meeting learning and development needs are a few that spring to mind. These and other issues are ones that have received increased attention at a personal, organisation and wider community level.

By Dave Harvey and Lucy Maynard

Developing a theory of change starts from the position that we should all want to understand whether positive change is created through our work with and for young people, as well as why and how that change happens.

I believe the spring and summer of 2020 has the potential to have some big impacts on the world of Outdoor Learning; more than the many lost learning opportunities and challenging economic and social impacts. The really significant interruptions to routine and established practice experienced by most of us, have forced a time of reflection and raised questions about the role and value of purposeful and planned time in the outdoors.