Junior Residential Trips: Connecting with the Great Outdoors

Christine Haslett
Deputy Head of College and Head of Primary

As technology enables us to do more and more in a virtual environment, without careful balance we run the risk of becoming isolated or disconnected from what is real and tangible.  There is a definite rise in wellbeing and mental health disorders in children and young people, who through surveys and responses express that they often feel ‘outside’ of themselves, or apart from what is real. 

Globally, the increase in young people who are in mental health crisis can be extrapolated back to a sense of loneliness, and an inability to regulate their feelings and emotions.  Some believe that this is due to ‘NDD’ – Nature Deficit Disorder, caused by a lack of exposure and time spent outdoors.  The reason that it is called ‘the great outdoors’ is because the greatness is unquantifiable.  It is awe and wonder.  It is a feeling of balance and peace.  And it is a return to the design stage of humanity – we were built to be here.

Last week, it was a pleasure to join our Junior School residential trip to Haiwan Forest Park, and to observe our children reconnecting with everything that is great about the outdoors.  Being together, working through problems, building shelters, cooking food, and enjoying the wonder of nature from the very smallest details to the most complex concepts; they have pushed themselves to achieve things they never thought they would, and have made fantastic memories with their friends.

I hope that our Junior School parents enjoyed the many stories of great adventures when their children returned home last Friday afternoon, and I hope that their connection with the great outdoors was a truly special experience.