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The Growing Role of Outdoor Education in the Development of Resilience
- Arthur Pearson - USA
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
About the author: Arthur Pearson is Former Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Island Outward Bound (now Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School), founder of the Outward Bound Professional Learning Lab, former Interim CEO of Outward Bound USA, Consultant on Experiential Education. He has five decades of experience as an educator, team builder and organizational leader. Throughout his career he has been drawn to the people and the passion of mission-driven non-profits.
Outdoors, youth development and learning for all? Discover what it takes for adventure and outdoor education, to become a reality in a public school system, and considerations on the always challenging issue of scaling.
Educators, researchers, and policymakers alike are recognizing that schools alone cannot meet all the developmental needs of students. Instead, a holistic approach that includes out-of-school programs, summer learning, and outdoor education is becoming a key strategy for fostering well-rounded youth development.
For decades, those working in youth development have understood the importance of creating enriching experiences outside the traditional classroom. The challenge has always been how to integrate these opportunities within the formal educational system. However, there is now a growing consensus that academics must be integrated with life skills, including communication, collaboration, team building, conflict resolution, leadership, resilience and strength of character. This common understanding of youth development, grounded in research, has allowed formal educators and out-of-school time programs to speak a common language and to collaborate more effectively than ever before.
The Evolution of Partnerships Between Schools and Out-of-School Programs
Historically, outdoor education, afterschool programs, and summer learning opportunities functioned as separate entities from formal schooling. With a common understanding of how to develop the whole child, educators have sought to integrate these disciplines into the K-12 experience. As a result, many have turned to partnerships with external organizations to bring vital life skills and resilience into students' K-12 educational experiences.
Affluent families have long understood the importance of structured activities beyond the classroom—whether through youth sports, summer camps, or other enrichment programs. They have ensured that their children have access to these developmental experiences, understanding their critical role in fostering leadership, teamwork, and resilience. The challenge for public education, particularly in under-resourced communities, has been to make these same opportunities accessible to all students. Achieving this requires ongoing advocacy, backed by data and evidence, to demonstrate the value of such programs.
Schools and Social and Emotional Resilience Skills
While partnerships remain essential, some school systems—particularly in rural areas—are beginning to integrate outdoor education and resilience development into their core curriculum. In states like Maine, for example, schools have used funding to create outdoor learning spaces. These investments are allowing students to engage in experiential learning, from elementary school through high school, within their own school environments.
Outdoor education provides an ideal setting for resilience development. Whether through field science, team-building exercises, or resilience training, the natural environment serves as a powerful venue for learning. The integration of nature-based learning into K-12 education represents an exciting shift—one that acknowledges the importance of whole-child development and the necessity of diverse learning environments.
The Example of Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School (formerly known as Thompson Island Outward Bound) and Boston Public Schools: A Model Partnership1
Cathleen Stone Island, located in Boston Harbor, is a critical partner in advancing outdoor education in collaboration with Boston Public Schools. As one of the Boston Harbor Islands, Cathleen Stone Island serves as a dedicated space for experiential learning, offering students opportunities to engage in environmental science, team-building exercises, and hands-on exploration. By the time I served at the Cathleen Stone Outward Bound School, it provided immersive outdoor programs that integrate science and social-emotional learning, ensuring students had access to real-world applications of classroom concepts. The students from Boston came for overnights with their teachers and worked with facilitators once they get off the boat. For many it was the first time spending extended time in nature, despite the fact that they live in a city that practically rises from the Atlantic Ocean and has a famous and active harbor.
By working closely with Boston Public Schools, Cathleen Stone Island had developed programming that aligned with the district's academic standards, particularly in STEM subjects. One of its key strategies is integrating outdoor education with the Lawrence Hall of Science FOSS curriculum. For example, when students studied erosion and re-deposition in their textbooks, they could visit the eroding North Point of the island and witness these geological processes in action. Such experiential learning bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and tangible experiences, enhancing student understanding and engagement. Cathleen Stone Outward Bound School also partnered with Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) and Harvard's Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth (ISRY) to conduct ongoing evaluation of its work with youth.
Today, programs align with New Generation Science standards (NGSS) and continue to evolve, within the same mission.
Scaling Outdoor Education for Broader Impact
One of the greatest challenges in outdoor education is scaling successful models beyond localized programs. While institutions like Cathleen Stone have proven highly effective in delivering SEL and science-based outdoor education, the ability to implement such programs at a state or national level remains complex. Many organizations excel in their specific domains, such as Outward Bound’s expertise in social-emotional facilitation in outdoor settings, but translating these specialized skills into a widespread educational framework requires systemic investment and collaboration.
To address this, organizations should leverage existing educational frameworks rather than attempting to develop entirely new curricula. The Lawrence Hall of Science’s BEETLES Project, for instance, has developed comprehensive professional development resources for outdoor educators. By adopting proven methodologies and working within existing state educational standards, schools and districts can more effectively integrate outdoor education into their core programming.
Ultimately, achieving scale in outdoor and resilience education necessitates a combination of strong partnerships, evidence-based advocacy, and investment in teacher training. Schools must work with established outdoor education institutions while also developing internal capacity to sustain these initiatives. By doing so, the education system can move toward a future where experiential, nature-based learning is not an exception but a standard component of K-12 education.
A Final Thought: Outward Bound USA and Its Global Affiliation
Outward Bound USA is part of the larger International Outward Bound network, which operates in over 30 countries worldwide2. It can be a natural partner to GELYDA providing an entree into the nature-based and courage-fostering experiential education. Founded in 1941 by educator Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound is dedicated to fostering personal growth and leadership through experiential learning in the outdoors. The organization uses challenging outdoor expeditions to develop resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, preparing individuals for success in both academic and life pursuits.
To learn more on the current offer of the Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound
School visit: https://cathleenstoneisland.org/about/educational-approach
To learn more about Outward Bound USA please visit: https://www.outwardbound.org
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