Taking your pupils out of the classroom not only allows them to have fun and experience something new, but it’s also a chance to teach them valuable life skills that you couldn’t normally do from a classroom. The late, great Roald Dahl said “the more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves” – which could not be more applicable to adventure trips. Choosing to take your class on an adventure trip in the UK allows them to see parts of the country they never have before, and undergo personal development that will benefit them throughout the rest of their lives! We’ve identified 5 reasons why you should take your school on an adventure trip in the UK – we hope this helps!
1. Explore!
Adventure trips usually take place in the vast outdoors – the secluded UK countryside is filled with different landscapes and environments that provide an incredible variety of activities and challenges to be undertaken. Not only will they allow you to take your pupils to parts of the UK that they have never been to, they also give the chance to provide your students with opportunities to explore and try many new things and to approach situations using fresh and new perspectives. Introducing them to new and unfamiliar environments can encourage them to explore different avenues in their school and social lives – allowing them a much more comprehensive understanding of the world outside of the classroom.
2. Challenge their limits
Learning outside the classroom will not only increase confidence and self-esteem, but your students will develop their ability to cope with a wide variety of challenges and experiences. Being able to challenge their limits and overcome said challenges will not only increase their confidence in the moment, but they’ll be able to have the confidence to take on any and all new challenges, and be willing to push through situations that they’ve never been in before or are unexpected.
3. Develop communication skills
When on an adventure trip, there’s no room for miscommunication or misinterpretation. Usually you’ll have to pay close attention to the guide’s instructions, and depending on the activity students could be required to use teamwork to succeed; which means that they’ll be developing communication skills that will heavily benefit them in real life situations. Communication is just as necessary outside the classroom as inside, and adventure trips will provide a unique, challenging experience that will develop your students’ communication skills in new and exciting ways.
4. Learn leadership roles
It is critical to instil leadership traits in children at a young age. An adventure trip necessitates students taking charge and leading from the front, and plants specific ideals that children need to develop into successful adults. Students are separated into groups to participate in various activities on most adventure trips, which will require all sorts of roles within the teams in order to successfully undergo – but don’t’ worry, every student will get the chance to try their hand at leading, adventure trips are inclusive to all and provide an experience that helps and benefits everyone.
5. Build better teacher/student relationships
In academia, your relationship with your teacher can really make or break your schooling experience. Everyone remembers fondly their favourite teachers – the ones who went out of their way to help and with whom you had a great relationship. Well, adventure trips help builds upon those bonds, even with students you are not so close with; taking pupils out of the classroom breaks down the barriers created by formal school environments. Those ‘difficult’ children often soften when they see a teacher in casual clothes, and sharing these experiences with them. Taking your students outside of the classroom will improve your experiences inside of the classroom as well!
When should I go?
The beauty of adventure trips, and school trips in general, is that you can go whenever the weather, all throughout the year. Adventure trips contain a multitude of activities, and differing weather conditions can both add to the challenge and the fun! So you don’t need to be wary when booking an adventure trip for your school – go any time you wish!
© 2024 Scott Iman Jones, Yumping Adventure, SL
