Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Looking back: the lasting impact of outdoor education for adolescent girls
Young women looking back on a month of immersive school outdoor learning in remote New Zealand said it shaped their identity and wellbeing well beyond school.
What's new
The researchers interviewed 11 young women, recruited after a larger survey of school alumni, about an immersive month of school outdoor learning in a remote part of New Zealand. The women described how the experience shaped their identities and wellbeing and continued to affect their lives. Four narratives emerged: immersion in nature was nourishing; critical environmental approaches and living simply had a cumulative effect on wellbeing; structured support alongside learning independence was valuable; and together these fed a strong female identity.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
This New Zealand evidence shows that long, immersive outdoor experiences can have lasting effects on adolescent girls' wellbeing. That is relevant to schools weighing the value of extended programmes.
Putting it into practice
When designing an extended programme, plan for both structured support and growing independence, and include time for simple living and immersion in nature.
How strong is the evidence
This is a retrospective qualitative study of 11 women from a single programme, based on recalled experiences.
What to read
The four narratives, especially the one on structured support alongside independence.