The Outdoor Learning Podcast

Derek Hyland & Chris Clark

A podcast about Outdoor Learning that brings together research and real-world experience teaching outside. Derek and Chris, two experienced outdoor educators, have conversations with each other and other outdoor educators about various practical aspects of using outdoor learning.  Our goal is to provide educators who are new to outdoor learning and those who are experienced with ideas on how to start using the outdoor environment in their education practice and ways to expand how to use it more.

  1. FEB 19

    Diversity Education in Nature with Camille S. Edwards and Dan Kriesberg

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) In this episode of The Outdoor Learning Podcast, we’re joined by Camille S. Edwards and Dan Kriesberg, co-creators of Diversity Education in Nature. Together, they bring decades of experience in DEI work and environmental education, using the natural world as a living classroom to explore inclusion, interdependence, and belonging. We talk about how observing ecosystems—biodiversity, mutualism, and connection—can help educators and communities reimagine what equity and community-building look like, both outdoors and beyond. Camille Simone Edwards is a DEI practitioner of fourteen years and currently serves as the Director of Student Affairs at Friends Academy, a Quaker independent school on Long Island, New York.  Dan Kriesberg has been a middle school science teacher and environmental educator for over 40 years at both public and independent schools. He is the author of two books on outdoor environmental education, over 100 articles on environmental education, and essays about his outdoor experiences. Resources:  "An Invitation to a Brave Space" by Micky Scottbey Jones Connect with Camille & Dan: Diversity Education In Nature website https://www.dankriesberg.com/ Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    1h 9m

  2. 2025-12-31

    Learning On The Land in Highschool with Aron Knudsen

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) We meet up with Aron Knudsen, teacher in Saskatoon Public this week.  We talk about Land-Based Learning, the imporance of community in the classroom, as well as working with your community to create learning opportunities, and how to get students outside in a highschool setting.  Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    1h 16m

  3. 2025-12-09

    Weather Weaving Project with Jenn Herrod

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) This week we catch up with Jenn Herrod, teacher in Saskatoon Public. She shares with us her Weather Weaving project that she uses with her elementary students. We also talk Affordances, gush about Robin Wall Kimmerer and chat about why Polar Bear Clubs are awesome and how Jenn works hers.  Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    1h 1m

  4. 2025-11-06

    Keri Albert & the iGen Program

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) This week, we connect with Keri Albert, the creator and teacher of IGen, an intergenerational program for grade 6 students that takes place at College Park School and the Sherbrooke Community Center.  She shares with us how intergenerational learning provides “real-life” learning and why it is important for students to learn in these kinds of environments and the kinds of things that they might encounter in long-term care that they might not have the chance to learn anywhere else. If you want to learn more about the iGen program, they have their OWN podcast talking about the program and how it works in more detail. It's called, Welcome to iGen. Chris's Research Corner Greg Mannion, & Claire Adey. (2011). Place-Based Education Is an Intergenerational Practice. Children, Youth and Environments, 21(1), 35-58. Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    1h 5m

  5. 2025-10-27

    Outdoor Learning from the Admin Perspective

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) Today we connect with Ian Wilson, a long time Principal in Saskatoon Public. Ian is a strong supporter of outdoor learning. We chat a bit about his experiences with Outdoor Learning , things that he does to support and encourage outdoor learning in the teachers that he works with, and he shares some ways that teachers can help bring their administration to become supportive of their use of outdoor learning. Chris' Research Corner Oberle, E., Zeni, M., Munday, F., & Brussoni, M. (2021). Support factors and barriers for outdoor learning in elementary schools: A systemic perspective. American Journal of Health Education, 52(5), 251-265. Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    1h 4m

  6. 2025-09-30

    Season 2! Risk Management, Challenges and Ideas

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) In this episode, we kick off season 2 with a conversation between the two of us about some of the things we have been working on this past summer that are designed to support other outdoor educators in taking their students out of the classroom and into the natural environment. These include identifying some of the challenges that specifically outdoor learning teachers face and potential solutions to those challenges, a how to take your students camping handbook, and a tried and true risk management handbook.  All of these have been worked on in collaboration with a bunch of experienced outdoor learning educators and are available on the website listed below. In this episode, we delve a little deeper into the risk management portion of the website today giving an overview of what you will find on the website and sharing some stories from our own outdoor learning experiences. Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    39 min

  7. 2025-02-18

    Outdoor Learning From a Student Perspective

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) In today's episode we meet up with a former student from Derek's program, Chance Blythe, to talk about his experiences in Outdoor Learning as a student throughout his educational career and how it might connect to his future goals of becoming an educator.  Chris' Research Corner Richmond, D., Sibthorp, J., Gookin, J., Annarella, S., & Ferri, S. (2018). Complementing classroom learning through outdoor adventure education: out-of-school-time experiences that make a difference. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(1), 36-52. Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    48 min

  8. 2025-02-03

    Outdoor Learning in Early Years with Maxine & Brianna

    Send us a text! (We can't reply, so include your contact info if you want us to get back to you.) Derek and Chris talk with Maxine and Brianna, a dynamic duo of primary teachers from one of the Nature schools in the Saskatoon Public School Division. We talk about nature-based learning in the early years and primary context, how to enrich literacy instruction through the outdoors through vocabulary and hands on connection to ideas along with common challenges and concerns and how they navigate them.  Chris' Research Corner article: Waite, S. (2007). ‘Memories are made of this’: Some reflections on outdoor learning and recall. Education 3–13, 35(4), 333-347. Access our research, project ideas and more at: https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

A podcast about Outdoor Learning that brings together research and real-world experience teaching outside. Derek and Chris, two experienced outdoor educators, have conversations with each other and other outdoor educators about various practical aspects of using outdoor learning.  Our goal is to provide educators who are new to outdoor learning and those who are experienced with ideas on how to start using the outdoor environment in their education practice and ways to expand how to use it more.

Information

  • Creator
    Derek Hyland & Chris Clark
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Outdoor Learning Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Outdoor Learning Podcast