Learning in the Wild: Supporting Lower School Without Walls

In July 2027, eight Lower School teachers and two administrators will embark on a professional learning tour to Helsinki and Oulu, Finland. Participating educators will gain hands-on experience in globally recognized Finnish outdoor pedagogy and earn official certification from the Nature and Environmental Education Institute of Finland (NEEIF).

Designing high-impact, outdoor learning experiences requires specialized knowledge and tools. This expedition equips our teachers with proven environmental education methods, safety frameworks, and curriculum design strategies that they will bring back to enrich daily outdoor learning across the Lower School. The teacher leaders who attend this trip will teach our teachers and build a foundation of deep outdoor education understanding for our Lower School at Breck.

This program directly supports Breck’s Strategic Future Focus to Deepen Academic Excellence and Nurture Inspiring Faculty. By investing in world-class professional development and international certification, Breck ensures our educators remain leaders in progressive, experiential teaching.

Your support directly covers travel, immersive workshop fees, instructional materials, and NEEIF certification costs for participating Breck faculty—making this transformative professional development opportunity accessible to our educators.