Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Education, and Forest School: What’s the Difference?

By Kristi Kraychy

At first glance, Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Education, and Forest School may seem interchangeable - but each has a distinct approach and purpose. At the Calgary Changemaker School, we thoughtfully integrated all three to support whole-child development and a deep connection to nature. Here's how they differ:

1. Outdoor Learning

Learning that just happens to take place outside.

Outdoor Learning refers to any lesson that takes place outdoors. This can include reading under a tree, practicing math with sidewalk chalk, conducting science experiments in the schoolyard, or engaging in project-based learning that requires space to move and explore.

There’s growing evidence that learning outdoors boosts focus and reduces anxiety, stress, and sensory overload. A 2022 review from Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to green spaces improves students’ attention, executive function, and emotional regulation.

How we did it: Students at the Calgary Changemaker School spent a significant portion of their school day learning, working, and playing outdoors. Whether it was science experiments in the field or creative story-telling in a snow-fort, the outdoors became a natural extension of the classroom.

2. Outdoor Education

Learning through active, structured outdoor experiences.

Outdoor Education is commonly defined as,"experiential learning in, for, or about the outdoors" (Priest & Gass, 2005). It can include a range of organized, skill-building outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and camping. Beyond recreation, Outdoor Education often includes structured experiences that promote teamwork, leadership, environmental stewardship, resilience, and collaboration.

How We Did It: At the Changemaker School, we integrated Outdoor Education into our daily Physical Education program for students from Kindergarten through Grade 8. By teaching physical literacy and teamwork through outdoor sports and adventure-based activities across all seasons and weather conditions, we helped students build confidence, resilience, and a wide range of skills. One of our guiding mottos was: "There’s no such thing as bad weather—just bad clothing choices!" This philosophy encourages students to embrace the outdoors with a sense of curiosity and confidence, fostering a lifelong appreciation for responsible recreation in nature and active living.

3. Forest School

Learning in nature through inquiry, curiosity, and child-led exploration.

Forest School is a long-term, student-led, play-based approach to education that nurtures holistic development through regular experiences in natural spaces. Children lead their own learning through exploration, supported risk-taking, and meaningful connections with the land. Educators act as "guides-on-the-side, responding to student questions and interests while supporting social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

As Forest School Canada states:

“Forest and Nature School is not a product to be delivered, but a process to be experienced....It is about children and youth building a relationship with themselves, each other, and the land.”

Inspired by outdoor early childhood programs in Denmark in the 1950s, Forest School has since spread worldwide. In Canada, it is gaining momentum as a transformative model for student-centred, nature-based education.

Forest/Nature School is founded on three pillars (Child and Nature Alliance Canada & Forest School Canada 2020):

Pillars of Forest/Nature School

• Trust

• Reciprocal Relationships

• Freedom

In Calgary, Lisa Menzies, one of Canada’s first Forest School–trained educators, founded Common Digs and later Calgary Nature Kindergarten—Alberta’s first Alberta Education–accredited Forest School program. I served on the Board of Directors and was honoured to be its first principal and program director.

How we did it: At the Changemaker School, Forest School–inspired sessions took place every Wednesday afternoon in a nearby provincial park. Led by trained educators, students explored freely, guided by curiosity, creativity, and connection. These experiences built resilience, independence, and a deep relationship with the land.

Why It Matters

Combining Outdoor Learning, Outdoor Education, and Forest School creates a rich, student-focused learning environment that nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. This approach enhances mental and physical health, boosts academic engagement, and fosters deeper, more meaningful connections to the curriculum and the natural world.

“When children are given freedom and trust, they flourish.” — Forest School Canada