Reflection 5 – Take Me Outside Day

Over the past couple of weeks, I had the chance to experience two very different outdoor learning environments one at Kootenay Orchards and another at Gordon Terrace. Both days left me thinking about how much the setting, group size, and energy level can shape the way students connect with learning (and with each other).

At Kootenay Orchards, the theme was “I Love a Challenge,” and that energy could be felt everywhere. Students were jumping rope, running, laughing and learning through movement. What really stood out to me was how literacy was woven right into the action. It wasn’t about sitting down with a pencil and paper; it was about making reading and writing part of their real-world play. Things didn’t always run perfectly (there was definitely a little chaos), but that chaos taught me something important sometimes learning thrives in the unexpected. Watching students persevere through challenges reminded me that trying hard and having fun can absolutely go hand in hand.

At Gordon Terrace, the experience was totally different calmer, slower, and more focused on connection. The smaller group size made it easier to notice how each student interacted with nature and with each other. The “Leaf Men” storytelling activity was such a creative way to bring literacy to life. I loved seeing students turn natural materials into characters and stories it made literacy feel alive, hands-on, and deeply personal. There was a peaceful energy that made it easy for everyone to focus and express themselves.

Both experiences were amazing in their own way. Kootenay Orchards reminded me how powerful it is to embrace movement, energy, and resilience, while Gordon Terrace showed me the value of calm, creativity, and deep connection. Together, they taught me that outdoor learning doesn’t have to look one way it can be loud or quiet, structured or free-flowing. What matters most is giving students the chance to explore, take risks, and find meaning in the world around them.

If I could take something from both experiences, it would be balance the joyful chaos that builds confidence and the calm creativity that invites reflection. Outdoor learning has a way of bringing both sides together, and that’s what makes it so powerful.