A study carried out by the Institute of Education at Plymouth University and The Camping and Caravanning Club in 2015 explored the perceptions of the relationship between education and camping. The study found that children who camp in the great outdoors at least once a year go on to do better at school, as well as being healthier and happier, according to their parents.
585 families, who were the Camping and Caravanning Club members, returned an electronic survey.
The study found that 4 out of 5 of all parents in the survey thought camping had a positive effect on their children’s school education.
98% of parents said camping makes their kids appreciate and connect with nature, 95% said their kids were happier when camping, 93 % felt that it provided useful skills for later life and 100% had new experiences when camping.
The study also reported that 15% of parents found that camping provided an opportunity to escape technology (laptops, tablets, mobiles, etc) whilst 20% of parents said that camping gives their kids freedom, independence and confidence.
Interestingly, 82% of parents felt that camping had a positive effect on their child’s education. The four main themes emerging from the study included added learning opportunities, sharing camping adventures and experiences in the classroom, reinforcing or practising school learning, and the transfer of learning to school.
83% of children took part in free play during their last camping holiday, whilst 80% took part in nature walks and 70% took a seaside or woodland visit. This dominance of free play, nature walks and seaside visits corresponds with the response of 98% of the camping parents that saying appreciating nature was a positive effect from camping for their children.
The top five National Curriculum subjects thought to be better understood by camping included History, Geography, Science, Maths and English.
When children were asked what they remember most and think they have learnt from camping, the most common themes were making and meeting new friends, having fun, playing outside and learning various camping skills.
In Summary, children who camp in the great outdoors at least once a year go on to do better at school, as well as being healthier and happier, according to their parents. Camping can have a positive effect on children’s school education, offer new learning opportunities, varied experiences and memories that last a life time. So what are you waiting for? Pack the car with your essential camping gear and hit the road to create some memories of a lifetime!
For more information head over to the Camping and Caravanning club online
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I agree completely with your comments made about camping and children’s happiness, personal development and appreciation of lifes simple pleasures !
We started taking our first child camping at the age of 2 and have enjoyed exploring our country and France in our campervan ever since We love packing up and heading off. Living a simple condensed life, for those few days/ weeks – appreciating the countryside, seaside and mountains. I have to say our best holiday so far was when we spend a week in the West Highlands of Scotland! Making memories is what it’s all about – and we certainly did ! I would like to think that one day, our children ( I hope!) will remember our little travels and will recall those memories with warm, happy, fondness. Hopefully they will grow into relisilent and happy individuals who appreciate the simple pleasures. Thank you Otis and Us for your informative posts.
I could not agree more. We go at least once a year and already looking forward to the first this year. Our little girl becomes feral (in a good way) and I love it.
This is very interesting. I think it’s very important for kids to spend time in nature. My parents used to take me camping as a kid and I loved it.