Outdoor Education and the Coronavirus Crisis

By Julia Kaseta, Youth Programs Manager

In 2020, education as we know it took a sharp turn. Elementary-aged children substituted sharing and playtime for hand sanitizer and isolation. Middle school kids swapped smiles and high-fives for masks and 6 foot spaces. High schoolers traded pencils and classrooms for keyboards and never-ending homework. As many school districts made these changes to protect students, staff, families, and the community, the TRTA was grappling with similar concerns. Ultimately we changed our plans and canceled our in-person outdoor education programs.

Even before these massive shifts due to COVID, increasing screen time and a general lack of health and wellness have been a growing problem. Psychologists have been studying the correlation between time spent outside and mental and physical health. With the rapid growth of technology over the past two decades and a reduction in time spent outside, there has been a decrease in socialization and emotional intelligence and an increase in depression, anxiety, obesity, and attention deficit disorders among youth. Prior to this pandemic, kids averaged seven hours per day in front of a screen and less than ten minutes per day engaging in outdoor play. As astonishing as that may seem, screen time has likely increased drastically in the past year as digital learning has become the main vehicle for education.

Recent studies have supported the assertion that natural outdoor elements such as wind and sunlight disperse and eliminate viral droplets, decreasing transmission rates of COVID-19 by up to 80 percent. Apart from the physical and psychological benefits that time spent outside provides, outdoor spaces allow for more manageable classrooms in accordance with safety protocols by health officials. That’s a win-win for health and safety. It has also given our organization hope that we can get back to our youth backpacking trips in 2021.

Outdoor education programs are essential for youth which is why, here at the TRTA, we are committed to finding ways to provide this type of curriculum. In 2020 we focused on adapting the existing virtual learning format by combining it with outdoor education curriculums. The TRTA’s Online to Outdoor Education program focused on getting kids outside to experience place-based education and learn about environmental concepts from the comfort and safety of their home. Although the program was delivered virtually, youth engage in hands-on activities and explore their surrounding natural spaces for a blend of the two learning styles. This program can act as a primer to in-person outdoor education lessons, as it introduces the concepts of Leave No Trace, natural history, and trail stewardship while promoting independence and problem-solving skills.

Our goal is to ensure that the impacts of COVID on our youth programs in 2020 are a blip on the radar and we can pick back up with our highly sought after and important Youth Backcountry Camp program next year. We recognize that many kids have missed outdoor experiences this year and want to ensure more kids have this opportunity in 2021 and beyond. Outdoor, nature-based programs help kids develop life skills and diminish many of the problems families, teachers, and the community are facing from the physical, psychological, and financial burdens of isolating at home.

For information regarding the TRTA’s outdoor education programs, please visit our web page at tahoerimtrail.org/youth-programs or contact Julia Kaseta at juliak@tahoerimtrail.org for specific requests.