Formal education in outdoor studies: introduction

Regional cultural perspectives involve outdoor studies in different ways in formal curricula. This section focuses on Western Europe, particularly the UK and Scandinavia, although also has a more international reach in Backman’s consideration of the training of teachers and in place-responsive teaching as described by Mannion and Lynch. ‘Outdoor studies’ is not seen in curricula per se but under various more specialised aspects such as outdoor play, outdoor learning, environmental education, outdoor education, and outdoor and adventurous activities within or outwith the physical education curriculum in schools. In higher education, a range of nomenclature is described, with some programmes including the terms adventure and outdoor studies, sometimes accompanied by ‘leadership’ or ‘management’ and teacher training through physical education focused on adventure, skills and risk.