I had the pleasure this past year of discovering and volunteering with a group, the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative which was formed by Green Schoolyards America, The Lawrence Hall of Science, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative and Ten Strands. The groups came together to help K-12 schools open during the COVID pandemic by moving activities outdoors.

Originally planned as a ‘How To” series of documents, it has grown to become The National Outdoor Learning Library, Practical Resources for Taking School Outside During the Pandemic and Beyond. This library which is now up will ultimately contain over 100 documents and resources created by the various work-groups and sub-groups. There were literally hundreds of people from around the country who volunteered their time to develop this library.

Working with the Health Considerations Work Group, I co-chaired a sub-group on Health Protocols and Programming Considerations, which was tasked with identifying health resources and converting that information to ideas for schools to consider. It was a fantastic experience and the opportunity to learn from and work with teachers, clinicians, scientists, designers, planners, and others, from all sorts of organizations and industries, spread across the country was very rewarding.

Getting our children back into safer schools is critical for their well being and education, let alone those of their teachers, parents, families and our nation at large.  We know the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 are greatly reduced by being outdoors and practicing the mitigating strategies we have come to understand. This library is a wealth of practical information that school districts and teachers can use.

Interestingly the CDC’s most recent guidance  “Operational Considerations for Schools” (updated January 29, 2021) now includes a reference to moving classes outside. Its small, but its a start.  I know, people say “but what about the weather?”  Well those factors can be addressed as well and are covered in the library, so check it out.  I’d urge every school in the country to consider this as an approach to increase the safety of their schools and get the kids back with their teachers to learn and interact with others.

A special note of thanks to Sharon Danks, MLA-MCP, CEO of Green School Yards of America, Zach Pine, MD and Mary Davis Michaud, MPP, the Co-Lead of the Health Considerations work-group and Cathy Nguyen landscape designer, co-chair of the Health Protocols and Programming Considerations sub-group.