OUTDOOR LEARNING
healthy body, healthy mind
 

A short stop on the way to the top.  In this area there was a forest fire two years ago, and a lot of trees were just standing naked, black and dead.
The ground vegetation had recovered quite well.

Every autumn we take our pupils out for a whole day on a mountain-trip.
It has been a tradition at our school for many years to do so, and as Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains, at least, we try to reach the top of  all these mountains before our children leave us to continue  in secondary school.

Fine weather is important if it is going to be a successful experience for everybody.  Children don`t want to walk several hours in rain and fog. In order  to avoid that, we have developed this simple strategy:
Well in advance, we inform the children and their parents to be ready  at short notice. When a sunny day is round the corner, we grasp the possibility to og the following day; and believe us: always sunshine, blue sky and smiling faces. 

The idea is to create ”pictures”in the childrens` minds where there is a ”connection” between nice surroundings, blue sky and sunshine.
Many pupils have told days or weeks later, that they have done the same trips together with their families. A good effect  to notice!
In this way we also hope to encourage love for the beauty of nature, respect for it's vulnerability, as well as curiosity about flora and fauna in general.

After so many years we have noticed the following positive effects for our pupils:  

v    They are looking forward to ”outdoors” it even if the hillsides are steep and they are getting really sweat.

v    Very little complaining.

v    Increased physical endurance, in general.

v    Knowledge about how to meet the challenges of nature, different weather conditions etc.

View westwards towards the southern part of Bergen. Our excursion area in the middle by the small lakes.

On our way back home. Note the dead trees.
(Forest fire) – On the ground we could easily observe the “succession” of growing plants.