Podcast
The Outdoor Learning Podcast
Hosted by Derek Hyland & Chris Clark · EN
A podcast about Outdoor Learning that brings together research and real-world experience teaching outside.
Derek and Chris, two experienced outdoor educators, have conversations with each other and other outdoor educators about various practical aspects of using outdoor learning. Our goal is to provide educators who are new to outdoor learning and those who are experienced with ideas on how to start using the outdoor environment in their education practice and ways to expand how to use it more.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
From the Ground Up: Building Outdoor Learning Programs with Gillian Edlund
3w ago00:55:26Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)In this episode, Derek and Chris talk with Gillian, a longtime, friend, educator, mentor, and co-creator of the Let’s Lead – Nikanetan program, about what it really takes to build an outdoor learning program from the ground up. Drawing on years of shared experience, they unpack the journey from early conversations and small collaborative efforts to the creation of a fully realized program designed to support students who need it most.Gillian shares insights into the importance of intentional planning, strong relationships, and the role of supportive administrators in bringing a program to life. Together, we explore how outdoor learning programs can create powerful opportunities for belonging, leadership, and re-engagement, particularly for marginalized and disengaged youth.In this episode, we explore:How our programs were created and evolved over timeWhy taking time to plan and build a strong foundation mattersThe importance of administrative support and community partnershipsRemoving financial barriers to create equitable access for all studentsRethinking student selection through experiential “tryout” campsKey program structures like learning teams, morning meetings, and gratitude circlesHow outdoor learning programs can transform student engagement and identityWhether you’re thinking about starting a program or looking to bring more outdoor learning into your current practice, this episode offers both inspiration and grounded advice to help you take the next step.To contact Gillian, you can email her at:strange_one@live.comResources mentioned:Brendtro, L., & Brokenleg, M. (2009). Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for the future. Solution Tree Press.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →From Ladybugs to Land-Based Learning: Making Outdoor Education Work with Nicole Turner
Apr 1201:30:34Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)In this episode, Derek and Chris sit down with Nicole Turner to explore the realities, challenges, and opportunities of outdoor learning across grade levels.Nicole shares her journey from outdoor camps to classroom teaching and her work with EcoJustice, along with insights from her master’s research focused on helping teachers increase outdoor learning in their practice. She also discusses the creation of a widely used resource hub designed to make outdoor learning more accessible for educators.A key theme throughout the episode is Nicole’s belief that “small is beautiful.” Rather than focusing on large-scale trips or complex planning, she encourages educators to start with simple, local experiences—using nearby green spaces, schoolyards, and spontaneous moments of curiosity as powerful entry points for learning.The conversation highlights: The ease of inquiry-based learning in kindergarten and early years How outdoor environments naturally spark curiosity and engagement The social and emotional benefits of getting older students outside The importance of revisiting the same outdoor spaces to build connection and familiarity Strategies for lowering barriers to outdoor learning, including simple planning and resource sharing The role of community, care partners, and guest experts in enriching learning experiences The importance of reconnecting students with the natural world and their local environment Nicole also shares practical classroom examples—from ladybug inquiries to bird studies and place-based exploration—that demonstrate how outdoor learning can be both simple and deeply impactful.Links to Nicole's WorkOutdoor Learning Support Document for TeachersBreaking Out of the Textbox - Increasing Outdoor LearningOutdoor Learning Resource Hub - This guide was developed for Saskatoon School Divisions but most of the information should be applicable (with some degree of variance) to any school within the province.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Diversity Education in Nature with Camille S. Edwards and Dan Kriesberg
Feb 1901:09:08Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)In this episode of The Outdoor Learning Podcast, we’re joined by Camille S. Edwards and Dan Kriesberg, co-creators of Diversity Education in Nature. Together, they bring decades of experience in DEI work and environmental education, using the natural world as a living classroom to explore inclusion, interdependence, and belonging. We talk about how observing ecosystems—biodiversity, mutualism, and connection—can help educators and communities reimagine what equity and community-building look like, both outdoors and beyond.Camille Simone Edwards is a DEI practitioner of fourteen years and currently serves as the Director of Student Affairs at Friends Academy, a Quaker independent school on Long Island, New York. Dan Kriesberg has been a middle school science teacher and environmental educator for over 40 years at both public and independent schools. He is the author of two books on outdoor environmental education, over 100 articles on environmental education, and essays about his outdoor experiences.Resources: "An Invitation to a Brave Space" by Micky Scottbey JonesConnect with Camille & Dan:Diversity Education In Nature websitehttps://www.dankriesberg.com/You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Learning On The Land in Highschool with Aron Knudsen
Dec 3101:16:18Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)We meet up with Aron Knudsen, teacher in Saskatoon Public this week. We talk about Land-Based Learning, the importance of community in the classroom, as well as working with your community to create learning opportunities, and how to get students outside in a high school setting. If you would like to contact Aron Knudsen, you can reach him at Knudsen.aron@gmail.comWildcat, M. (2014). Learning from the land: Indigenous land based pedagogy and decolonization. Decolonization: Indigeneity, education & society.https://www.academia.edu/download/107731720/WildcatEtAl2014.pdfFast, E., Lefebvre, M., Reid, C., Deer, W. B., Swiftwolfe, D., Clark, M., ... & Mackie, R. (2022). Restoring our roots: Land-based community by and for Indigenous youth. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 16(2).https://www.academia.edu/download/79569023/27360.pdfYou can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Weather Weaving Project with Jenn Herrod
Dec 901:00:35Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)This week we catch up with Jenn Herrod, teacher in Saskatoon Public. She shares with us her Weather Weaving project that she uses with her elementary students. We also talk Affordances, gush about Robin Wall Kimmerer and chat about why Polar Bear Clubs are awesome and how Jenn works hers. Beery, T. (2025). Landscape Pedagogy for Environmental and Outdoor Educators. Environmental Education Research.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13504622.2025.2505188You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Keri Albert & the iGen Program
Nov 601:05:06Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)This week, we connect with Keri Albert, the creator and teacher of IGen, an intergenerational program for grade 6 students that takes place at College Park School and the Sherbrooke Community Center. She shares with us how intergenerational learning provides “real-life” learning and why it is important for students to learn in these kinds of environments and the kinds of things that they might encounter in long-term care that they might not have the chance to learn anywhere else.If you want to learn more about the iGen program, they have their OWN podcast talking about the program and how it works in more detail. It's called, Welcome to iGen.Chris's Research CornerGreg Mannion, & Claire Adey. (2011). Place-Based Education Is an Intergenerational Practice. Children, Youth and Environments, 21(1), 35-58.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Outdoor Learning from the Admin Perspective with Ian Wilson
Oct 2701:03:51Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)Today we connect with Ian Wilson, a long time Principal in Saskatoon Public. Ian is a strong supporter of outdoor learning. We chat a bit about his experiences with Outdoor Learning , things that he does to support and encourage outdoor learning in the teachers that he works with, and he shares some ways that teachers can help bring their administration to become supportive of their use of outdoor learning.If you would like to connect with Ian Wilson, you can reach him at ianwilson555@gmail.comChris' Research CornerOberle, E., Zeni, M., Munday, F., & Brussoni, M. (2021). Support factors and barriers for outdoor learning in elementary schools: A systemic perspective. American Journal of Health Education, 52(5), 251-265.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Season 2! Risk Management, Challenges and Ideas
Sep 3000:38:59Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)In this episode, we kick off season 2 with a conversation between the two of us about some of the things we have been working on this past summer that are designed to support other outdoor educators in taking their students out of the classroom and into the natural environment.These include identifying some of the challenges that specifically outdoor learning teachers face and potential solutions to those challenges, a how to take your students camping handbook, and a tried and true risk management handbook. All of these have been worked on in collaboration with a bunch of experienced outdoor learning educators and are available on the website listed below.In this episode, we delve a little deeper into the risk management portion of the website today giving an overview of what you will find on the website and sharing some stories from our own outdoor learning experiences.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Outdoor Learning From a Student Perspective
Feb 18, 202500:47:38Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)In today's episode we meet up with a former student from Derek's program, Chance Blythe, to talk about his experiences in Outdoor Learning as a student throughout his educational career and how it might connect to his future goals of becoming an educator. Chris' Research CornerRichmond, D., Sibthorp, J., Gookin, J., Annarella, S., & Ferri, S. (2018). Complementing classroom learning through outdoor adventure education: out-of-school-time experiences that make a difference. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(1), 36-52.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
Transcribe →Outdoor Learning in Early Years with Maxine & Brianna
Feb 3, 202500:52:16Tap to summarizeSend us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.)Derek and Chris talk with Maxine and Brianna, a dynamic duo of primary teachers from one of the Nature schools in the Saskatoon Public School Division.We talk about nature-based learning in the early years and primary context, how to enrich literacy instruction through the outdoors through vocabulary and hands on connection to ideas along with common challenges and concerns and how they navigate them. Chris' Research Corner article:Waite, S. (2007). ‘Memories are made of this’: Some reflections on outdoor learning and recall. Education 3–13, 35(4), 333-347.You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
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