Boarding schools offer a unique and enriching learning environment for students. With the opportunity to live amongst peers in an immersive community, away from the everyday life at home, the experience can be invaluable. True Adventure understands that travel has the power to inspire and develop young people like nothing else. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the numerous benefits of school expeditions for both boarding school students and their teachers. And if you’re considering planning an expedition for your own school, we’d love to hear about it! Maybe, we can assist you along the way.
You can contact us on: chat@true-adventure.co.uk
Enhanced Personal Growth
School expeditions provide a unique opportunity for students to develop their personal and social skills, such as independence, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. Being away from their familiar environment and having to adapt to new situations can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. From the moment students sign up for a True Adventure expedition, they are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone, take on new challenges and responsibilities, and develop a sense of self-reliance that will serve them well in the future. It would be considerably more difficult to teach all these abilities in a classroom setting, even though they are crucial for their academic achievement and future professional success.
Improved Academic Performance
According to research, school expeditions can have a positive impact on academic performance. The National Education Association (NEA MB) published a post (How field trips boost students’ lifelong success) that featured some interesting stats from the U.S Travel Association. They reported that regardless of gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, children who take school trips have better grades (59%), higher graduation rates from high school (95%) and college (63%) and greater income (12% higher annually). This is since motivated learners are those that are enthusiastic about and involved with the subject matter, as well as their peers and teachers.
Career Exploration & Development
School expeditions can also help students explore potential career paths, particularly in sectors such as environmental science, outdoor education, wildlife, and adventure tourism. Even if they do not end up getting into those line of works, an expedition looks great on their CV’s, including fundraising efforts when working towards a True Adventure trip.
Increased Environmental Awareness
School expeditions can also help the students develop a greater appreciation for the natural world. By experiencing different environments and ecosystems, students can gain a deeper understanding of all living things and the intertwining importance of protecting our planet. This can lead to more environmentally conscious behaviour and a desire to make a positive impact on the world and your school.
Enhanced Cultural Understanding
Exposure to different cultures and ways of life is an essential part of a well-rounded education. Expeditions offer the opportunity for students to learn about different cultures, customs, and traditions first-hand. This can help to break down cultural barriers, diversify and promote understanding and acceptance of global differences that they may otherwise struggle with by being on campus a lot of the time.
Improved Mental Health
Participating in a school adventure may assist students in overcoming any challenges that they may face in their school life by providing them with the ability to connect with and interact with their classmates in different ways outside the classroom. Additionally, as we are all aware, studies have indicated that being outside may reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. It’s all about creating positive experiences that will stay with the students for the rest of their lives.
Physical Health
And of course, alongside mental health improvements, physical health can also be improved. School expeditions typically involve physical activities such as hiking, camping, and water sports. These activities not only provide a break from academic work but also from the typical physical activities the students encounter in their curriculum. It gives the students more variety, as some of them may not have necessarily hiked or camped before. And here at True Adventure, we go the extra mile and help prepare your students with a training expedition before they go away. We do this to teach them all the practical training that they need, discuss roles, safety, learn about leadership, health and hygiene on the trip and have fun outdoors.
Professional Development for Teachers
Expeditions are not only beneficial for students, but also for teachers. Participating in an expedition can provide teachers with the opportunity to develop their skills, gain new perspectives, enhance their teaching practice, and build a greater understanding of their students. Teachers who have participated in school expeditions report increased confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm for teaching.
In conclusion, school expeditions offer a wealth of benefits for boarding school students and their teachers. From enhanced personal growth to improved academic performance and increased environmental awareness, the benefits of school expeditions are clear. At True Adventure, we offer a range of expeditions designed specifically for boarding school students, with experienced guides and educators who will ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all participants.
Offer your students the experience of a lifetime and support their futures further through adventure and learning with an expedition from True Adventure.
Check out our destinations page for expedition inspiration, and if you’d like to know more or if you’re ready for adventure already, contact us now: chat@true-adventure.co.uk
References
How field trips boost students’ lifelong success – National Education Association (neamb.com)
Benefits of Outdoor Education – Australian Council for Educational Research
The Importance of School Field Trips – Frontiers in Psychology.
