Edinburgh Napier University

  This research investigated the effectiveness of a 12-day outdoor learning project on adolescents’ life skills development. In total, 180 participants with a mean age of 14.3 (±0.5) years took part in the outdoor learning project and completed the Life Skills Scale for Outdoor Learning (LSSOL) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at six-months post-intervention. A control group of 39 students with a mean age of 14.3 (±0.5) years completed the LSSOL at the same pre- and post-intervention timepoints. MANOVA results indicated a statistically significant improvement in life skills in the intervention group from pre- to post-intervention, but not in the control group. With the exception of goal setting, all life skills showed significant improvements. At a six-months post-intervention, all life skills, except goal setting, remained above the pre-intervention levels. Overall, the small positive effect on adolescents’ life skills development from the project supports the inclusion of outdoor learning in the school curricula.