UK Youth define Outdoor Learning as:
Experiential learning within an outdoor environment to support a young person’s personal, social, and educational development, improve health and wellbeing, engagement with physical literacy, and environmental awareness.
The outdoor space in which learning takes place is an integral part of the learning process.
UK Youth’s Vision for Outdoor Learning
- Equitable Access to Outdoor Learning: Ensuring fair and inclusive access to experiential outdoor learning for all young people that supports personal development, life skills, and positive lifelong physical literacy.
- Leadership in Outdoor Learning: Strengthening UK Youth as a leading authority on integrated outdoor learning youth work practices and amplifying good practice.
- Advocacy in Outdoor Learning: Championing and promoting youth participation and engagement initiatives within outdoor learning settings.
- Excellence at Avon Tyrrell: Ensuring Avon Tyrrell is recognised as a top tier centre for high-quality impactful outdoor learning programmes and experiences. maintaining best practices, and continuously improving.
Our Approach
The Experience, Learn, Develop (ELD) Framework is the foundation of Outdoor Learning at UK Youth. It sets out how young people should engage with experiences in nature to gain the greatest benefit. The framework focuses on three areas: personal growth, social development, and educational progress.
By using the ELD Framework, we ensure every programme has purpose. Activities are not only fun, they are designed to build resilience, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. The framework also helps improve wellbeing and supports a stronger connection with the natural environment.
We share the ELD Framework with our partners and providers so that Outdoor Learning across the UK is consistent and of high quality. It helps schools, youth groups, and funders understand the outcomes they can expect when they work with us.
Our Work Joining Outdoor Learning and Youth Work
Outdoor Learning Youth Work Sector Specialist Group
Outdoor Learning and Youth Work make a huge difference to young people’s lives, helping them grow in confidence, skills, and wellbeing.
The Outdoor Learning Youth Work Sector Specialist Group (OLYWSSG) brings people and organisations together across the sector to strengthen that impact.
At a strategic level, it’s a space to connect, spot opportunities to work together, and shape the bigger picture. At a practitioner level, it’s a chance to share what works, learn from each other, and build on great practice already happening.
By linking strategy with practice, OLYWSSG helps ensure outdoor learning and youth work are joined up, effective, and making the best possible difference for young people.
I learned in archery how to aim carefully to achieve a goal – it was a real experience for me!”
Young person, age 12
Avon Tyrell Outdoor Centre
Avon Tyrrell is the national outdoor centre of UK Youth and a central part of our work. Set in the New Forest, it provides accessible dedicated space where young people take part in Outdoor Learning that follows our ELD Framework. The site combines heritage buildings, lodges, and camping with a wide range of activities designed for educational sector, youth and faith groups, families and friends. Avon Tyrrell allows us to deliver inclusive, high quality programmes directly, while also acting as a model for best practice in the wider Outdoor Learning sector.
Through Avon Tyrrell, UK Youth demonstrates how Outdoor Learning can change lives. Each year, thousands of young people visit the centre to build confidence, improve wellbeing, and develop skills that support them in education and beyond. The site also serves as a training ground for youth workers and educators, showing how high quality Outdoor Learning can be delivered safely, inclusively, and with lasting impact.i
I’m enough!”
Young Person, AAfH Residential
UK Youth Adventures Away from Home Fund
Adventures Away from Home is a transformative programme opening up life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged and under-represented young people.
Funded by partners including DCMS and National Gas, and delivered by UK Youth, it shows what’s possible when organisations come together to support what works.
Working with centres like Avon Tyrrell and a network of providers across the UK, the programme offers a rich mix of outdoor learning experiences; from adventure and sport to environmental activities and the arts. These take place through both day programmes and residential stays, ensuring accessibility and variety.
At its heart, Adventures Away from Home empowers young people: building confidence, nurturing socio-emotional skills, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. It stands as a bold example of progress, and of the power of outdoor learning to change lives.d
