Outdoor Experiential Learning in Youth Work

Aims & objectives

The main aim of the TC is to train youth workers on how to use outdoor education for addressing current challenges of nowadays and building so called soft competencies and skills, such as respect, efficient communication, tolerance, non-judgment approach, the ability to work in teams and critical thinking.

Objectives:
- discover outdoor and experiential learning, their historical perspective, principles and models;

- articulate and reflect on participants’ own values base for outdoor and experiential learning;

- experience various outdoor methods and techniques and reflect on ways of incorporating these methods and techniques into their daily youth work with young people including young people with fewer opportunities, young people from marginalized background, radicalized youth or with refugees.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

Youth leaders, and trainers with at least one year experience in working with young people in the NGO, Youth Center, with experience in facilitating learning activities in natural environments.

Trainers team: Vitalie Cirhana (MD), Alexandra Isaicul (MD

Training methods used & main activities

Learning through experience, trying things out, and playfulness - a participatory and holistic approach embedded in non-formal learning will be our guiding principles.

During the training course participants discovere what outdoor is, try out different methods such as low level rope, night hike and, acquire a set of competences needed for a youth worker when working with outdoor activities

Outcomes of the activity

As a result of the training, participants gained a deep understanding of outdoor and experiential learning, including their historical context, principles, and models. Through hands-on experience with various outdoor methods and techniques, participants developed practical skills and strategies for incorporating these approaches into their daily youth work.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

As the trainer of this training course, I've been deeply involved in its entire development process. From the initial stages of conceptualization to the final execution, I've worked closely with my co-trainer to shape the topic and design the program to ensure its effectiveness. My responsibilities creating an engaging and experiential learning environment using various facilitation techniques to encourage active participation and meaningful learning experiences.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.