Challenges in Outdoor Education

Bridging Teacher Skill Gaps, Overcoming Resource Shortages, and Reconnecting Students with Nature for a Healthier, More Active Future.

Teacher Skill Gap & Resource Scarity

Many educators lack training in outdoor sports and have limited access to equipment, making it difficult to provide hands-on experiences.

Lack of Awareness

Many students and educators are unaware of how outdoor activities can enhance learning, well-being, and environmental responsibility.

Outdoor sports and environmental education are often undervalued in school curricula, reducing student exposure.

Curricular Deficiencies

Environmental Disconnect

Sedentary Lifestyles

Technological Isolation

Many students lack a strong connection to nature and an understanding of the importance of environmental preservation.

Encouraging active and healthy living is crucial in the face of increasing sedentary habits among young people.

Modern technology can lead to a disconnect between students and the natural world.

European Relevance

Hike Wise is closely aligned with several key European Union objectives, particularly in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles among youth. The European Green Deal, along with its biodiversity strategy, emphasizes the importance of connecting people with nature, which HIKEWISE supports through outdoor activities like hiking in educational settings (European Commission, 2019; European Commission, 2020). Additionally, HIKEWISE contributes to the EU's goals of improving the quality of education and training by addressing the skill gap among educators, particularly in specialized areas such as environmental education and outdoor sports. This initiative ensures that teachers are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to create engaging, nature-based learning experiences that foster respect for the environment and encourage a sustainable, active lifestyle (European et al., 2021).

Target Groups

Empowering Teachers, Engaging Students, and Supporting Schools to Overcome Outdoor Education Challenges.

Secondary Target Groups

The project's secondary target groups are essential to its success, including parents, school administrators, environmental organizations, and adventure companies.

Primary Target Groups

This project focuses on secondary school physical education teachers and university students who aspire to become PE teachers, equipping them with the skills to integrate hiking into education.