7 benefits of an outdoor adventure school residential

Posted: 22/03/2024

An outdoor adventure school residential is part and parcel of a well-rounded education.

For many young people, it can also be the highlight of their school experience – creating magical memories that last a lifetime.

From encouraging independence and growing confidence, to learning about the world around us, here are seven major benefits of a residential trip with Be Well Outdoors…

1. Watch them grow!

For many, if not most, young people, a school residential can be the first time they ever spend a night away from home.

This is a key milestone for their personal growth and a major step towards developing independence.

Being away from their parents can initially be difficult for some, but before long you’ll likely see them come into their own.

School residentials encourage young people to take more responsibility for themselves, setting them up for the transition towards adulthood.

Problem-solving activities and other pursuits can also help them think and act more independently.

2. Develop new skills

Our school residential experiences offer a wide variety of fun activities, from paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing on Coniston Water to rock climbing, ghyll scrambling and hill walking in the Cumbrian countryside.

With the help of our expert instructors, young people can also learn practical skills like bushcraft, while activities such as raft building and orienteering will test their ability to communicate and work together as a team.

Learning these exciting new skills boosts confidence and self-esteem, and creates a real sense of achievement.

3. Fun and friendships

School residentials allow children to forge new friendships as they spend time with others in an enjoyable and relaxed environment, outside of the classroom.

This can be particularly key early on in the school year, when children are new to each other, but can also be important for those who take a little more time to find their place among their peers.

Many young people can struggle in a classroom setting and sometimes just being in a different, more informal environment helps them connect with those around them and discover (or re-discover) an enthusiasm for learning.

With the demands of the modern curriculum, the school year can be long and stressful – so mixing things up with a residential is a great way of building a positive association with school.

4. You’ll learn new things too!

Our school residentials don’t just help your pupils to learn about nature and outdoor adventure, they also help you as teachers learn about your pupils.

In 25 years of delivering quality outdoor education experiences, we’ve seen countless young people come out of their shells during their time with us and surprise their teachers with what they can achieve.

Got a pupil who finds things a little hard in the classroom? Get them outdoors and you may find they’re a natural. Others will show themselves to have natural leadership qualities you might not previously have spotted.

You’ll be able to spend time with your pupils, getting to know more about their personalities and what makes them tick. These are lessons you’ll be able to take back to class, helping you motivate them and support their studies for the remainder of the school year.

5. The opportunity of a lifetime

School residential trips provide opportunities for disadvantaged pupils to take part in activities they might otherwise not be able to.

While some of your pupils may already have had a taste of outdoor adventure with family, the chances are that the majority will never have experienced anything like this before and, for many, future trips will practically be out of reach.

For some young people from urban areas, a trip to Low Bank Ground may even be their very first experience of the countryside.

Outdoor adventure brings many benefits and opens up new doors and new possibilities – so school residentials are a nice way of attempting to level the playing field.

6. Encourage activity

It’s a fact that childhood obesity continues to rise, so it’s more important than ever that we encourage our young people to be more active.

School residentials are a great way to get youngsters away from screens and out in the fresh air, discovering new sports and activities that will help them build strength and burn off energy.

For many, this will be the start of a lifetime love of adventure that sees them grow into fit, active and healthy adults.

7. Environmental awareness

A school residential at Low Bank Ground, in one of the most beautiful places on earth – the glorious Lake District National Park – can help young people develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of our natural environment.

We’re becoming more and more aware of the fragility of our planet and the effects we as humans are having on wildlife and climate.

By connecting with nature first hand, young people can be inspired to think more consciously about the world around them.

Ready for adventure? Contact us to find out more about our school residentials and start planning your next trip with the help of our experts today.

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