Benefits of Outdoor Recreation at Thrive Girls

Thrive Girls Ranch and Home is an affordable, year-round Christian boarding school for girls ages 12-17 who are misbehaving and struggling with self-destructive or dangerous behaviors. We help girls transform into responsible, respectful and gracious young women. The therapeutic residential program in Central Texas features Teen Challenge Biblical advisors and mentors, a focus on academics, and a milieu of therapeutic activities. Girls also benefit from vocational training and mentoring, and it is all designed to help girls transition into a life where they thrive!
Call now to learn more: (512) 545-2226

Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

Experts say that outdoor learning is quite beneficial to students because it makes them healthier and happier, and they do better academically. The various benefits include: 1

Students who get to experience an outdoor learning environment tend to be more attentive and, therefore, have a better recollection of the information that was shared.

Consistent exposure to nature decreases stress and anxiety, helps elevate mood, and helps with emotion.

Children often have too much exposure to digital screens via televisions, computers, and cell phones. This can result in a “nature deficit disorder,” which may lead to obesity and possible psychological and academic issues. Outdoor learning allows students to put their focus back on nature.

Outdoor environments naturally inspire children to be more physically active.

Exposure to bright sunlight found in nature is also healthy for vision. Bright sunlight is necessary for the eyes to develop properly, lowering the risk of nearsightedness.

In outdoor settings, children are more motivated to work together in groups, which can improve their social skills. They learn to manage conflicts, communicate, and cooperate with their peers in a more effective manner.

Outdoor learning provides children with hands-on experiences in nature. Most children learn better by using their senses. Outdoor environments provide the perfect place to do this. Instead of viewing different types of plants or wildlife on a computer or TV screen, they can see, smell, hear, and touch them in nature. Students can even start a garden and grow fruits and vegetables, which may have them wanting to sample their harvest. These hands-on experiences cultivate a love of nature and get them.1

Outdoor education and play support emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. Studies have shown that students who learn outdoors develop: a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline and initiative. 2

Learning outdoors is active and increases students’ physical, mental and social health. Some studies have even shown follow-up (e.g., non-school) physical activity increases with outdoor learning. Access to nature has also been shown to decrease the symptoms of ADHD. Outdoor learning and access to nature also decrease stress levels of students and teachers. 2

A number of studies have documented increased school performance through outdoor education. Research has document increased standardized test scores, enhanced attitude about school, improved in-school behavior, improved attendance and overall enhanced student achievement when students learn in and about nature.

In addition, outdoor education effectively employs a greater range of children’s intelligences. Many researchers contribute the increase in performance to increased relevance and hands-on experience of learning outdoors. 2

Outdoor Learning at Thrive Girls Ranch

Girls study, work and learn on our safe, positive environment and ranch campus near Austin, Texas. In addition to an accredited high school education, we provide physical exercise and adventure outings filled with life training and mentoring. We help each girl become all that God has created her to be.

We also provide therapeutic counseling to each individual girl, plus daily learning experiences and activities that nurture a true change of heart–and help her thrive in life. We desire to see every girl discover her God-given potential, and live out the core values of integrity, compassion, community, vision, stewardship, servanthood, and faith in Jesus Christ.

We enroll girls (ages 12-17 years) year-round, but we have a limited number of placements. Please call (512) 545-2226 now. We look forward to speaking with you!

Sources:

1 https://www.learningliftoff.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-outdoor-learning/

2 https://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/leaf/school-grounds/documents/outdoor%20education%20research%20for%20school%20Grounds.pdf