Going outdoors opens new horizons and it can be a journey into an unfamiliar world - a world of differences where norms and routines are left behind and where people dress, feel, think and behave differently. It is a voyage full of discoveries where people find out things about themselves, about each other and about the natural world.

Twelve participants from six different countries embarked in this voyage of discoveries during a study visit in Latvia. During the study visit, representatives from Adventure Spirit (Piedzīvojuma Gars) shared main concepts, methodologies, and tools that organization use on an everyday basis working with the target group of young adults to support them in their development, understanding their values, strengths, increase overall cooperation, communication and enhance their ability to create their own workplaces or find a workplace fitting to their needs and skills. Some of the concepts and methodologies that were presented are experiential learning, learning by doing, outdoor coaching, learning (stretch) zone, Scale of cooperation, Kolb’s learning circle, forest therapy.

This article gives an insight into the key principles of outdoor education and outdoor coaching as well as give practical guidelines and hands-on examples on how to incorporate elements of the outdoors in creating and delivering programs to your target group.

Come outside and take others with you!