ABSTRACT
Safe outdoor education is an essential part of provision for all young children. And there are many arguments in favour of it. The HAO programme recognises the significant educational and social benefit of activities which take place outside in the fresh air. Outdoor education extends and enhances learning and personal development by exposing children to real issues and challenges. It is important, however, that anyone who leads young people in outdoor activities acknowledges to themselves and the young children in their charge the existence of a level of risk. Only in this way can an informed decision on participation be made by the leader, child and parent/guardian. It is not possible to remove all risk but through careful planning it can be reduced to an acceptable level. The national curriculum document Aims for the School Curriculum says that ‘The school curriculum should...enable pupils to respond positively to opportunities, challenges and responsibilities, to manage risk and to cope with change and adversity’ (DfES and QCA, 1999).
