School camps are becoming increasingly popular in the UAE, and Absolute Adventure is leading the way with dynamic, engaging programs that seamlessly integrate outdoor activities with classroom learning. Education UAE interviewed Ashlin Ontong, Education Manager at Absolute Adventure, to explore how these camps integrate with school curricula and why it’s so important.
“Integrating outdoor camps with school syllabi enhances students’ understanding and appreciation of the natural world through practical, hands-on experiences, beyond just the classroom,” Ashlin explains. “At our camps, students engage in activities that teach communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, among others. By connecting classroom concepts with real-world applications, they are pushed out of their comfort zones and thus foster a deeper appreciation for the environment and its complexities.”
Outdoor camps can significantly enhance traditional classroom learning by providing immersive experiences that bring theoretical knowledge to life. For example, studying ecosystems in a textbook is informative, but exploring a wadi or mangrove allows students to observe ecological interactions in real-time. They can see how species coexist, food chains operate, and environmental factors affect living organisms, making the information more tangible and memorable.
“Experiences like observing turtle species and rare birds enrich their biodiversity knowledge, foster a deeper connection with nature, enhance observational skills, and contribute to a more holistic education,” Ashlin says.
Building Success Through Teamwork
Integrating outdoor experiential learning into the school curriculum enhances both academic achievement and personal development skills, such as teamwork. As students navigate challenges and projects outdoors, they learn to apply their knowledge creatively and effectively, developing resilience and learn the importance of teamwork and communication. Absolute Adventure activities are designed to test students’ physical and mental capacities, requiring them to work together to succeed.
A popular activity is raft-building, which demands collaboration to create a firm and stable structure to be tested. This activity involves planning, communication, role allocation, listening, directing, and problem-solving, all skills needed to understand teamwork.
Less Screen Time, More Fun
Outdoor camps promote physical activity among students through structured activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. These activities improve fitness, strength, and endurance, contributing to better overall health.
“It also helps reduce students’ screen time, promoting a more balanced and active lifestyle,” Ashlin continues. “Additionally, outdoor experiential learning enhances students’ practical skills, environmental awareness, and overall well-being.”
Nature’s Classroom
Aligning outdoor camps with academic goals is the most effective way to integrate them into the school year, thus ensuring students don’t lose any valuable study time. For instance, the Physical Education curriculum could incorporate residential camps into outdoor learning. By tying outdoor camp activities to academic content, educators can ensure students meet educational goals while benefiting from experiential learning opportunities.
According to Ashlin, research conducted by Mann et al. (2021) supports the benefits of incorporating outdoor education into the school curriculum. Studies have shown that outdoor learning improves physical, cognitive, and emotional health, enhances communication and reasoning abilities, and develops resilience, collaboration, and self-regulation skills. These findings underscore the relevance of outdoor learning in contemporary education, positively impacting mental health and well-being.
Guardians of Our Planet
Outdoor camps foster environmental stewardship among students by immersing them in natural settings and engaging them in hands-on experiences. These camps encourage students to respect and protect natural habitats, instilling values of environmental stewardship and empowering them to take action to preserve natural resources for future generations. By spending time outdoors, students develop a deeper connection with the environment as they observe its beauty, diversity, and fragility firsthand.
“Our camps emphasise environmental preservation and consciousness, encouraging students to practice principles like ‘Leave No Trace’ by picking up after themselves and minimising environmental damage,” Ashlin explains.
Where Everyone Belongs
Schools can ensure that outdoor camps are accessible and inclusive for all students by welcoming individuals of all genders, ethnicities, and physical abilities. Prioritising inclusivity creates an environment where every student feels welcome and supported.
“Our camps include activities that children of all abilities can enjoy. For example, children with physical disabilities can participate as cheerleaders for their team or provide advisory roles in activities like raft building. Our outdoor instructors undergo extensive training to support individuals of diverse abilities, making the experience adventurous, educational, and fun!” Ashlin concludes.