The NAAEE Affiliate Network’s campaign promotes outdoor learning as a simple yet effective solution for enhancing student well-being.

Denver, CO, April 15, 2025 – As a part of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) has recommitted to supporting teachers, administrators, nonformal educators, youth development leaders, and parents in Colorado to engage students and children in outdoor learning for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time. 

The Outside for 5 campaign was first developed in 2022 in response to the pandemic-related decline in youth mental health and the associated impact on classroom educators who have faced increased levels of burnout. Today many students and teachers continue to face difficult issues in their communities related to climate change, social justice, and more.  Strategies for supporting our students and teachers are just as important today. This campaign is focused on engaging communities in outdoor learning as a way to provide a more enriching and healthy learning environment. 

“Students today are navigating a lot—academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Katie Navin, Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. “Outdoor learning gives them space to reset, reconnect, and engage more fully. It’s not just a break from the classroom—it’s a powerful tool for supporting mental health and well-being.”

There is a large and compelling body of evidence-based research that demonstrates the benefits of outdoor learning for mental health and well-being, stress and anxiety reduction, physical health, student engagement, and academic success. Outdoor educational experiences also offer schools an opportunity to ignite learning, which addresses both social and emotional well-being as well as learning loss.

In recognition of the benefits of learning outdoors, Governor Polis has declared April 21 – 27, 2025 as Outside for Five Week in Colorado. Download the Proclamation.

“Our goal with this campaign is to inspire educators to think outside the box when it comes to enhancing the social-emotional wellness of their students, each other, and their entire school community,” said Sarah Bodor, NAAEE’s Director of Policy & Affiliate Relations. “We want kids to get outside and experience the benefits of nature’s classroom.”

CAEE invites school administrators and educators of all levels to sign up at www.outsidefor5.com to receive free resources and inspiration to help them spend at least 5 minutes a day outside with their students. Whether that means teaching a classroom lesson outside, studying the local ecosystem, or taking a short walk across the school campus, everyone can benefit from going Outside for 5.

To sign up and learn more about the Outside for 5 campaign, visit www.outsidefor5.com. 

About the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) 

Environmental and outdoor education experiences are like charging stations that power up learning and enhance skills that will help Coloradans care for our world and sustain it for future generations. For over 30 years, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education has been supporting the network of over 850 educators in classrooms, nonprofits, nature centers, government agencies, higher education, businesses, and more who build these experiences with opportunities for professional development, generating and sharing new ideas, and community support.  Together, we are wiring up an extensive circuitry of rich contexts and collaborators in environmental and outdoor learning that support ALL schools, families, and communities across Colorado. To learn more about the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education visit www.caee.org. 

About the NAAEE Affiliate Network

The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network supports the many types of educators who teach concepts we all need to understand: how natural systems work, what we must do to interact responsibly with the environment, and how we can protect natural resources for future generations. We are the largest network of environmental educators in North America. Collectively, we inspire educators, schools, and communities to impact conservation, education, social justice, health and wellness, and positive youth development. Find your Affiliate: https://naaee.org/affiliates