In recent years, environmental awareness has grown, with climate change, pollution and habitat loss continuing to threaten our planet. Therefore, it’s crucial for younger generations to immerse themselves in nature and understand how to protect the environment for a better, more sustainable future.
That’s where adventure camps come in! These provide the perfect platform for kids to explore nature and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them through a mix of exciting outdoor activities.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of environmental education and how adventure camps help raise children’s environmental awareness. Plus, we’ll share some fun environmental activities for kids to try at home, making sustainability a part of their everyday lives.
The importance of environmental education
Before diving into how adventure camps teach kids about the environment, let’s first understand what environmental education is.
According to the UK National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE), it is a “process that helps individuals, communities, and organisations learn more about the environment, and develop skills and understanding about how to address global challenges.” Its mission is to empower people with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed, eco-conscious decisions that will have a positive impact on the environment.
In the UK, there has been a significant shift in priorities, with environmental education becoming a growing focus in the national curriculum. In fact, the Department of Education aims to introduce a natural history GCSE in 2025, giving young people further opportunities to understand conservation and the natural world in more depth.
The benefits of environmental education for kids
For children, the long-term benefits of environmental education cannot be overstated. By raising kids’ environmental awareness from a young age, they learn how their actions affect nature and other living things.
In doing so, we can create a generation that is ready to face the global challenges ahead, while developing a strong connection to the natural world. Already, 1 in 4 young people are actively involved in initiatives that positively impact their local environment.
Here are a few other key reasons why environmental education matters:
1. Improves mental and emotional wellbeing
Spending time in nature helps reduce stress and anxiety which, in turn, boosts our mood by reducing cortisol levels. Outdoor activities like forest walks, birdwatching, and gardening create a sense of calm through natural stimulation and peaceful surroundings, leading to happier, more resilient children.
2. Boosts creative thinking
Environmental education encourages creative thinking by offering endless possibilities for exploration. Whether building a den from branches, making art with leaves, or sketching landscapes, it all inspires children to use their imagination to solve a problem or create something new.
3. Promotes environmental responsibility
By understanding different ecosystems, kids learn to respect nature, which instils eco-friendly habits like recycling and reducing waste. Moreover, children who grasp the impact of their actions early in life are more likely to grow into responsible, active citizens.
4. Supports cognitive development
Environmental education teaches important skills like observation, data collection, and problem-solving, which are valuable in many areas. For instance, tracking animal behaviour helps children develop the ability to analyse migration patterns or feeding habits.
To summarise, whether through personal lifestyle choices, community initiatives, or advocating for broader environmental policies, environmental education has a big influence in all these areas of our lives. So, how do adventure camps contribute to this?
What are adventure camps?
Adventure camps are immersive outdoor experiences that put environmental education into practice. Led by trained instructors, they teach kids important skills and values like respect, responsibility, kindness, cooperation, and determination, all while participating in a variety of exciting adventurous activities like hiking, kayaking, archery and much more!
Held usually during the school holidays, kid’s adventure camps take place within natural settings such as forests, or near mountains and bodies of water including lakes and the sea, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Read our latest blog on why adventure camps are so great for kids to find out more!
3 Ways adventure camps teach kids about the environment
Now, let’s take a closer look at how adventure camps teach kids about the environment through hands-on experiences, sustainable practices, and of course, engaging nature-based activities!
1. Offering hands-on learning
One of the most effective ways to teach kids about the environment is through direct interaction with nature. At adventure camps, children don’t just learn about plants and animals; they experience all the sights, sounds, and smells of nature firsthand.
For example, during nature walks, children have the chance to identify local plants, trees, and animals. By observing these species up close, they learn to recognise their unique characteristics, understand their role in the ecosystem, and appreciate the delicate balance that sustains life.
Or, on a bushcraft adventure camp, children learn essential survival skills such as building a shelter using natural materials, giving them experiential knowledge of wilderness survival, while deepening their understanding of nature’s resources.
2. Teaching sustainable practices
Adventure camps lead by example by implementing sustainable practices such as composting, recycling, and keeping waste to a minimum while also conserving water and energy.
Children actively participate in these efforts, learning how to sort recyclables, compost food scraps, and reduce single-use plastics. By seeing sustainability in action, they develop a hands-on understanding of how small daily choices impact the environment as a whole. These lessons instil lifelong eco-friendly habits, teaching kids to be mindful of their consumption and inspiring them to adopt responsible practices at home and in their communities.
At PGL, we are committed to reducing the impact our adventure centres have on the environment. We love having our campers join us in our efforts and children learn firsthand the importance of sustainable living.
3. Engaging in nature-based activities
Nature-based activities are a core element of adventure camps, and they offer many unique opportunities for children to explore the natural world.
Whether trekking through forests, following riverbanks, or walking along coastal areas, it allows kids to study unique land formations and identify a variety of plant species. They also gain insight into natural processes like erosion or how wetlands filter water to support diverse ecosystems.
Meanwhile, activities like kayaking teach children about waterways and currents, helping them understand how bodies of water shape the landscape and support biodiversity. Physically, kayaking also develops upper body strength, coordination, and endurance, improving kids’ overall fitness while building confidence in the water.
See our full list of outdoor adventure activities for kids.
In conclusion, by developing a deep respect for nature and empowering young minds to take action, adventure camps help raise your child’s environmental awareness in a fun and engaging way. So, pack your bags, put on your hiking boots, and get ready to explore the great outdoors!
Environmental activities for kids to try at home
While adventure camps provide an immersive learning experience, there are plenty of ways for children to learn about the environment at home. Here are some simple, fun, and environmental activities that kids can try:
Everyday environmental activities
- Recycling and composting: Teach children how to sort recyclables by setting up separate bins for paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Start a compost bin using fruit and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds, explaining how organic waste breaks down into nutrient-rich soil for gardening.
- Water conservation: Encourage kids to take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing their teeth or washing dishes, and collect rainwater in a bucket for watering plants. Show them how small changes can make a big impact in conserving this vital resource.
- Energy conservation: Show kids how switching off lights when leaving a room and unplugging devices when not in use saves electricity. Turn it into a fun race where family members compete to “power off” in a set time, with rewards for the quickest person.
Fun environmental activities
- Building a bug hotel: Gather natural materials like logs, pinecones, twigs, and hollow bamboo sticks to create a safe shelter for insects. Stack them inside a wooden frame or repurposed box and place it in your garden or local park.
- Create a mini garden or herb patch: Teach kids how to water, weed, and care for their plants while learning about the benefits of homegrown food. Use small pots, raised beds, or a section of the garden to plant easy-to-grow herbs like basil, mint, or chives for cooking.
- Birdwatching: Set up a bird feeder using seeds, fruit, or homemade suet and place it in a visible outdoor area. Provide kids with binoculars and a bird guidebook or app to help them spot and identify the different species that visit.
Explore the great outdoors with PGL!
Is your child ready to embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery and adventure?
We offer a wide range of thrilling outdoor adventure camps, including Multi-activity Camps, Aqua Explorer, Bushcraft, and more. Our camps have been running for over 66 years! So, we know a thing or two about adventure.
Our skilled instructors are committed to providing a safe and enriching experience for children that creates a lifelong love for the environment.
So, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help.
