The outcomes of autonomous adventure learning: or if you love someone set them free

Contextualised by a three-day autonomous student expedition exploring the Cairngorm plateaux under full winter conditions this article explores some benefits, challenges and issues associated with the facilitation of such endeavours. Key issues include the role and increasing need for such experiences among young people at a range of ages and stages and the importance of perceived autonomy in promoting personal growth. Outcomes include a call to highlight where the self-regulatory power of autonomy may already be at work in a range of outdoor and residential programmes and consider how these aspects may be further enhanced alongside developing new initiatives.