Gabi Reyes-Acosta
Declo, ID
Consultant, Outdoor Education and Youth Leadership Programming
So many of us recreate, teach, and share the importance and value of conservation and the outdoors because of the time we spent in it in our youths. Camping with our scout troops, backpacking with our parents, skiing on holiday breaks– all of these activities instill within us the value of being in nature and how essential it is to learn about it. As outdoor educators, it is our job to pass this knowledge along and to inspire the next generation of conservationists, scientists, and outdoors people. How do we translate our passion for environmental education to young people who did not have these formative experiences in nature? How do we make our passion and our teachings real for youth who do not feel comfortable in nature, and who lack access to it in their everyday lives? For those who grew up without a reliable vehicle to get to trailheads, or who don’t have the proper gear to safely recreate in different weather conditions, or the other myriad of reasons that people cannot always turn to the outdoors for recreation– the value of environmental education can be lost. Without knowing a place, or feeling seen in it, a young person is likely not interested in learning more about it.
Below are some tips on how to get started when working with youth who do not have traditional access or high comfort levels in the outdoors, so that environmental education and conservation lessons feel real and meaningful for them.
Meet students where they are. Not every student has been on a hike, a nature walk, or even spent a significant time in a park! Acknowledge this, and understand that a “one-size fits all” approach to teaching, like in all subjects, is not a best practice when engaging youth in the outdoors. Scale your lesson or outdoor experience to meet the needs of multiple comfort and interest levels in the outdoors. If a student is nervous for a hike- check in with them to understand the root cause and modify your lesson from there. By not forcing young people to interact with nature and instead authentically engaging them in a way where they feel seen and supported, you are more likely to have learnings that create real impact.
“Outdoorsy” people do not fit a mold, and neither should your students! For many of us, outdoorsy people look like the ones in REI advertisements. They can hike for miles, ski the backcountry, and seem to innately know how to move in nature. Let your students and youth know that you can be outdoorsy by simply going on a walk and observing nature. Did they listen to the trees in the wind? Did they learn about soil health? Did they take samples in a local creek? By engaging as citizen scientists or by simply being outside, they are outdoorsy! Let your students know that everyone belongs in nature.
Build up their confidence, not your expectations. Here in Idaho there are so many ways to engage with the environment and find a passion for it. As educators and mentors, we can help youth find their passion by sharing our own experiences in the outdoors and by letting them know that we believe in them. Are they afraid of their first ever overnight outdoors? Share a story of a time you conquered a fear on a trip. Are they nervous about being uncomfortable while on a field trip? Tell them how excited you are for this experience and provide options so they feel a sense of ownership over the activities and participate authentically. By being willing to share our own experiences and expressing our belief in what they can accomplish, young people can feel safe to take positive risks.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, we can all do our part in sharing our passion and love for the outdoors, passing along experiences and learnings that will stick with young people for a lifetime.
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