Short outdoor education programs improve children’s cooperation, conflict resolution, self-esteem, peer relationships, and behavior in class

Example data from a 2005 study for the California Department of Education of 6th-graders participating in a week-long outdoor education program.

Graphs

“Students find success possible at [outdoor] science school. The realize that they can be successful at ‘smart’ things so when they get back to school, their self-esteem is greater. They can handle things better.” —Participating teacher

Source: American Institutes of Research (2005). Effects of outdoor education programs for children in California.