At Stratford Hall, Outdoor Experiential Education (OEE) is more than time outside the classroom. It is a biweekly, adventure in sport and immersive outdoor education that is embedded in the grade 4-10 curriculum at the Vancouver-based International Baccalaureate school. And the kids can’t wait for it.

Stratford Hall is an urban school that strives to develop harmony between the urban and natural worlds. The outdoor education program’s experiential-driven philosophy provides opportunities for students to challenge the limitations they put on themselves, foster independence and resilience, and develop a personal relationship with the outdoors—while, of course, having so much fun.

Led by Director of OEE, Mitch Taylor, students learn problem solving through a variety of different tasks and activities including kayaking, SUP, climbing, biking and camping, to name a few.

“This commitment to outdoor learning ensures students are regularly connected with the natural world,” Taylor says. “These trips are ideal for fostering environmental stewardship, building collaborative skills, and pushing boundaries through risk-taking.”

Approaches to Learning

Besides the physical benefit of mastering activities like rock climbing or kayaking, OEE and its activities are the catalysts for life skills like perseverance, emotional management and negotiation. The cycling program, for instance, encourages students to practice leadership skills and consider implications of choice as they lead their peers through the streets of Vancouver. While in the cooking program, students learn to negotiate fairly, practice self-advocacy and collaboration, and develop independence as they take control of their nutrition.

The snowshoeing program is another perfect example. In it, student can engage in snowball fights—an activity often deemed unsafe—because snowball fights allow students to explore nature and physical activity while negotiating, cooperating, and understanding consent and fair play.

“Observing a group of sixth-graders diligently discussing and setting the parameters for a snowball fight is a sight to behold,” Taylor says. “They ensure everyone feels comfortable, understanding when someone wants to participate or not, or when someone needs help or wants to exit the game.

“The joy and the large smiles as they play within the boundaries they set, affirm the success of this approach.”

Embracing risk

Perhaps the most important message OEE students will hear is “Step out of your comfort zone” as leaders encourage them to move bravely into areas of growth, allowing them to forge a healthy and safe relationship with risk.

“A fundamental aspect of our program is risky play,” Taylor says. “In our society, we often underestimate the capacity of young people to manage risk, frequently prohibiting activities deemed too risky. However, exposure to calculated risk is essential for developing risk tolerance and understanding how to evaluate various situations.”

The emphasis is on holistic development, preparing students for real-world challenges, and although students’ comfort is not guaranteed, safety is always paramount.

“We are equipping them with the skills to assess, make informed decisions, and learn from their experiences, reinforcing their academic learning and preparing them for future challenges,” Taylor says. “The focus is on real-world, applicable learning and personal growth, equipping students with skills relevant to any career path, from astronauts to professional wrestlers.”

Forging connections

Its important to recognize one of the most obvious benefits of OEE:  that kids learn how to play.

“Sometimes we go for a walk in the forest to learn about forest bathing and how being surrounded by nature can help us manage our emotions and manage anxiety,” Taylor says. “But sometimes we go on a walk in the forest just so we can go on a walk in the forest and have fun with our friends. Students have full schedules, including co-curriculars, sports and external arts and languages classes. This program is time every week when the kids can really just play and explore and have fun with their friends and decompress in a way that maybe they don’t normally get to.”

IB Curriculum

Hazel Chee, Senior School Principal says Stratford Hall’s IB school designation makes it the perfect venue to this type of program because, like OEE, IB fosters holistic development by providing students with hands-on opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

“Embracing an OEE program within the context of an IB school holds a special place in my heart, having experienced its transformative power firsthand,” she says. “At an IB school, OEE becomes more than just a curriculum supplement; it becomes a cornerstone of personal growth and academic excellence.”

By promoting critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability—all essential skills emphasized by the IB   curriculum—it instills a sense of environmental stewardship and global awareness, aligning with the IB’s commitment to nurturing responsible global citizens.

“Stratford Hall teaches by design a rigorous and inquiry-based pedagogy that complements OEE seamlessly, encouraging students to ask meaningful questions and engage deeply with the natural world,” Chee says. “The IB framework and outdoor experiential education are a synergistic combination that empowers students to become knowledgeable, principled and well-rounded individuals who are not only academically adept but also socially and environmentally conscious, cultivating not only knowledge, but a true passion for lifelong learning.”

Learn more at stratfordhall.ca

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