Instagram story viewer> @outdoorlearningalliance> Posts

National Outdoor Learning Alliance

@outdoorlearningalliance

2.9K

followers

44

following

Creating effective outdoor learning experiences for all kids
🦋 Support for new & existing outdoor programs
🐾 Runs @everwildforestschool
👇 Join Us

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🌲 Want to help shape the future of outdoor learning? 🌲

We’re looking for passionate, engaged community members to join our Board of Directors! Board service includes four meetings per year, with an average commitment of about 2–4 hours per month.

It's an opportunity to bring your experience, perspective, and passion for helping young people learn & thrive outdoors. If you believe outdoor learning can make a difference for children (and you’d like to help us build what comes next at NOLA), we’d love to hear from you!

More about the CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, & SECRETARY roles:
outdoorlearningalliance.org/join-our-board by @outdoorlearningalliance

18

2

9 days ago

We’ve partnered with the Boise School District to give every 6th grader 3 days of outdoor field experiences over 8 weeks.

For some, these days outside might be their first opportunity to explore places they otherwise wouldn’t have access to... and that matters. Outdoor learning creates space to discover, investigate, move, and see themselves as part of the world around them.

We’re excited that our Wild Lab program & this partnership with BSD is giving students the chance to explore biodiversity, understand the ecosystems that sustain our world, and experience learning that stays with them long after they return to the classroom. by @outdoorlearningalliance

16

9

10 days ago

🌿 We’re hiring a part-time Outdoor Educator for NOLA’s Wild Lab program for September & October!

Help sixth-grade students explore climate resilience through hands-on outdoor science at Boise parks. You’ll lead the same three-day curriculum for a new group of students each week.

📅 18 program days from September 1–October 22
⏰ 9:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
📍 Kathryn Albertson, Veterans Memorial, and Esther Simplot parks
💵 $1,440 total compensation
🌱 Curriculum and training provided

If you love working with young people, teaching outdoors, and helping students connect with nature, we’d love to hear from you!

View the full position and apply through the link in our bio or visit www.outdoorlearningalliance.org/jobs

#BoiseJobs #OutdoorEducation #EnvironmentalEducation #BoiseIdaho #NowHiring #NonprofitJobs #OutdoorEducator #NOLA #WildLab taken in Boise, Idaho by @outdoorlearningalliance

17

0

2 months ago

Starting this evening, our Executive Director will embark on a 4-part online virtual workshop series called “Adopting the Benefits of Forest Schools into your Teaching Practice” 🌳

Hosted by the @outdoorlearningschoolandstore, this exciting weekly professional learning series is designed for educators and program leaders who want to integrate meaningful, evidence based outdoor learning into real world, educational settings - whether they’re enhancing a classroom, leading a program, or building something new.

🦋 4 x 60 minute sessions
🦋 June 3, 10, 17, 24
🦋 4pm PST / 7pm EST

Register at www.outdoorlearning.com.

Sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants the day after the live session for those who can’t attend live.

We hope to see you tonight!

#outdoorlearning #forestschool #natureschool #environmentaleducation #placebasededucation by @outdoorlearningalliance

19

3

4 months ago

Teachers plant seeds of knowledge that bloom for a lifetime! 🌱 Thank you educators! 💚

#teacherappreciationweek #educator #thankyou by @outdoorlearningalliance

14

2

5 months ago

Link in our bio!

#idahogives #outdoorlearning #community #boise by @outdoorlearningalliance

16

0

5 months ago

The world needs more spaces where children can learn, grow, and belong in nature. 💚

If you’ve felt the pull to create something like that, this is for you. 🌱

We just launched a new blog series to help you turn that vision into something real and lasting.

Part 1 is live!
🔗 Link in bio by @outdoorlearningalliance

32

0

7 months ago

Rain, rain, go away 🎶….wait, no!! Rainy day play is actually really good for growing bodies!

Here are 5 evidenced-backed reasons to send your kiddo outside rain or shine:

🌧️ The slippery surfaces, puddles, and muddy trails created by rain require give kids the chance to practice dynamic balance, proprioception, and motor planning, which are key components of physical development.

🌧️ Exposure to natural environments is associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and better emotional regulation in children.

🌧️ Challenging outdoor play (including variable weather) supports confidence, risk assessment skills, independence, and coping ability.

🌧️ Rain encourages mud play, increasing beneficial microbial exposure, which is linked to improved immune regulation. Emerging research also suggests certain environmental microbes may influence stress-related pathways.reduce stress pathways in the brain!

🌧️ Frequent childhood experiences in nature are strongly associated with pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors later in life.

Citations 📚

Gray, C., et al. (2015). What is the relationship between outdoor time and physical activity in children? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6)

Roslund, M. I., et al. (2020). Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children. Science Advances, 6(42)

Tillmann, S., et al. (2018). Children and nature: Linking accessibility of natural environments and children’s health-related quality of life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1072.

Brussoni, M., et al. (2015). What is the relationship between risky outdoor play and health in children? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6423–6454.

#outdoorplay #outdoorlearning #natureplay #outdoorlearningalliance #naturebasedlearning by @outdoorlearningalliance

127

7

8 months ago

🔬🌲 New blog alert! Learn how our Common Ground program is providing STEM Nights with TANTA (@tanta.inc ) that spark curiosity through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, and creative problem-solving. We’re for community partners at Boise State MERC (@boisestatemercenter ) for supporting youth learning in our community. Link in bio!

#stemforkids #stemeducation #inclusiveeducation #naturebasededucation #outdoorlearningalliance by @outdoorlearningalliance

3

0

9 months ago

Make 2026 your year to get outside every day-no matter the season! ⛅️

Our new blog shares easy ways for families to stay connected to nature all winter long, plus a free downloadable Winter Resilience Challenge to help kids (and adults) build confidence in the cold ❄️

Tell us in the comments: How will you get outside more in 2016? ☀️

#winterwonder #getoutside #naturenurtures #outdoorlearningalliance #winterchallenge by @outdoorlearningalliance

7

5

9 months ago

When children are trusted to explore, take healthy risks outdoors, and learn alongside peers of different ages, they develop deeply valuable skills that are difficult to reproduce in conventional classrooms. 🌱

Who agrees that kids need more opportunities to just be kids? 🤸‍♀️

#outdoorlearning #naturebasededucation #experientiallearning #outdooreducation #outdoorlearningalliance by @outdoorlearningalliance

44

2

9 months ago

We’re hiring! 🎉
The National Outdoor Learning Alliance is looking for a passionate, nature-loving assistant outdoor educator to join our team through our EverWild Forest School program.
If you thrive outside and love, helping kids learn and grow in nature, this could be a great fit. 🌱

When: Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:45-4:15 PM
Where: Eagle Greenbelt
Duration: Jan 12-May 20, 2026 (with the option to continue as a summer camp educator)

If you’re interested in the role, please apply through the link in our bio or send an email to Amy@OutdoorLearningAlliance.org by @outdoorlearningalliance

245

6

10 months ago