Resources
Local
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC)
BEEC is the best resource in southern Vermont for schools looking for hands-on, natural science programs for their students. BEEC also helps schools establish outdoor classroom spaces and routines, integrate natural history and other curricular experiences into outdoor learning, and supports teachers through professional development programs. Check out their invaluable “Teaching Outside 101Teaching Outside 101” guide!
BEEC’s team of Naturalist Educators have many years of experience as both classroom and outdoor educators. Contact Joan at: joan@beec.org / 802-257-5785.
Camp W is exploring ways of helping the community through wilderness-based distance learning at their summer camp facility 15 minutes west of Brattleboro. They are open to collaborating with schools who need additional learning spaces, and to offer parents an extended day drop-off program where children can complete their distance learning assignments in a safe environment. See their community needs assessment survey here.
Regional
Inside-Outside: Nature-based Educators of New England. We highly recommend reading the 2-page (July 2020) position statement of the Inside Outside Advisory Board: Outdoor Learning Opportunities for Healthy Students: A solution for elementary schools during COVID-19. In it you will find contact information for ten of Vermont and New Hampshire’s leaders in the field of outdoor education in schools.
National
National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative – A comprehensive resource site published by Green Schoolyards America (Highly recommended)
Research
List of recent articles related to Outdoor Learning and COVID-19