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    Outdoor education jobs – key to health and happiness?

    Outdoor education jobs are growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why.   Outdoor education jobs offer the opportunity to work with children in a learning environment without the bureaucracy that comes with working in a school or formal establishment, and often without the extensive teaching qualification requirements.

    Flexible working hours, built-in access to physical exercise, and plenty of fresh air are just some of the benefits that tempt thousands of people every year.  While some choose to work outdoors full time, outdoor jobs are also very popular with students looking to supplement their education with flexible weekend and holiday work, and as a way for outdoor-lovers to enjoy additional, flexible work that provides them with the access to the outdoors that they crave.

    These are just some of the reasons why choosing an outdoor job could help improve your health and happiness:

    Flexible working hours with an outdoor education job

    Outdoor jobs are often seasonal, weekend work, or take place during school hours, so if the 9-5 just isn’t for you, or if you’re juggling roles, perhaps working around childcare, or looking for something to fit around school or university hours, you’re more likely to find outdoor work to fit around your available time.

    The opportunity to teach

    For those who love to teach, or enjoy working with children, but don’t necessarily feel the school environment suits them, or either don’t have, or are working towards the qualifications to teach, an outdoor education role provides a teaching / coaching opportunity, in a more adaptable, less restrictive environment.

    The joy of the great outdoors

    The benefits of spending time outdoors on body and mind are widely documented. The restorative powers of time spent outdoors breathing in fresh air, and spending time away from technology and the restrictive space of the indoors, is why outdoor education is considered such an integral part of the learning curriculum across all ages.  Having unfettered access to the great outdoors as part of your day-to-day job is a unique and rare advantage!

    Physical exercise

    Generally outdoor education work tends to be physically demanding. Whether it’s teaching a sport or outdoor adventure pursuit, or other manual outdoor work, the physical benefits of keeping active and mobile are far-reaching and long-term.

    What outdoor education jobs could I do?

    While some roles will require experience or qualifications, many provide on-the-job training, focusing instead on finding someone with the right mindset and willingness to learn.  Of course any job working with children will require you to undergo a DBS check, which your employer will normally arrange. These are just a few examples of outdoor education jobs you could choose:

    –          Forest Schools Practitioner – The Forest Schools approach is being adopted by more and more schools around the UK, so Forest Schools practitioners are in high demand. Some training / qualifications will be required, although some employers may provide this.

    –          Bushcraft instructor – Bear Grylls has made survival skills cool for kids and adults nationally, and this sector in education and beyond – into corporate hospitality and leisure pursuits – is incredibly popular. Courses are available, and experience or qualifications will often be required.

    –          Outdoor activity instructor – outdoor centres and school trip providers like Wildchild, are often recruiting team members to help deliver outdoor activities to children, and run outdoor adventure programmes. On-the-job training is often provided.

    So if you love being outdoors, enjoy spending time with children, want to be part of a great team, and are looking for a flexible working option, an outdoor education job could be perfect for you!  With plenty of entry-level positions with schools, activity centres and children’s activity providers around the country, if you have a positive and hard-working attitude, you’re bound to find the perfect job to start your healthy and happy career in outdoor education.

    If you think working in the outdoors could be for you, then visit www.wildchildadventure.com for more information on Wildchild’s current outdoor job opportunities.

     



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