24/10/2026
๐ฟ๐ณ A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN OUTDOOR PRACTITIONER!๐ณ๐ฟ
๐It's not just playing in the woods... although there's plenty of that too! ๐
Ever wondered what a day in the life of an outdoor practitioner at Green Paths Education CIC actually looks like?
Well, let us give you a little glimpse behind the scenes! ๐๐
โ 8:00 AM โ Coffee and planning!
Before the children arrive, there's planning to do! Checking the weather, preparing resources, adapting activities for different needs and making sure everything is ready for the day ahead.
And yes, checking the weather forecast about 15 times is completely normal! ๐ง๏ธ๐
๐ณ 9:00 AM โ Preparing our woodland!
Setting up activities, checking the site, preparing tools and equipment, getting the fire pit ready when needed, and making sure the environment is safe and welcoming.
There's always something to do in the woods!
๐ฃ 10:00 AM โ Let the adventures begin!
The children arrive, and the real magic starts.
One might be building a den, another discovering a fascinating insect, while someone else is learning to use a tool safely or developing their confidence by trying something new.
No two children are the same, and no two sessions are ever quite alike! ๐๐
๐ฅ Midday โ Learning, exploring and getting muddy!
From bushcraft and campfire cooking to nature crafts, woodland exploration and environmental science, we're constantly finding new ways to help children learn through experience.
Sometimes, the activity we planned becomes something completely different because the children discover something that captures their imagination.
And that's the beauty of outdoor learning! ๐
๐ค Throughout the day โ Supporting little (and sometimes big!) achievements.
This is one of the most important parts of our job.
Helping a child feel comfortable in a new environment.
Supporting someone to make a friend.
Encouraging a young person to try something they thought they couldn't do.
Celebrating the child who finally feels confident enough to join in.
These moments might seem small to someone looking in, but they can mean absolutely everything to the person experiencing them. ๐ฅน๐
๐ฟ Afternoon โ Tidying, reflecting and preparing for tomorrow!
Once everyone has headed home, there's still work to do!
Cleaning equipment, packing away resources, checking the site, reflecting on the session, recording observations and planning what's next.
Being an outdoor practitioner is so much more than spending time outside!
๐ BUT HERE'S THE PART YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE...
Behind every muddy adventure is a huge amount of preparation, care, patience and thought.
At Green Paths, we work with children and young people with a wide range of needs and abilities. That means adapting activities, finding different ways to communicate, building trust and recognising that success looks different for every individual.
Sometimes, our biggest achievement isn't building a shelter or lighting a fire.
Sometimes, it's seeing a child smile, watching someone make a connection or helping a young person realise they are capable of more than they thought.
And those are the moments that make it all worthwhile. ๐ณ๐ฅฐ
Would we change it for an office job? Not a chance! ๐
Although a hot cup of tea that stays hot, dry socks and a woodland that tidies itself wouldn't go amiss! โ๐ฅพ๐
๐ฟ This is Green Paths. This is outdoor education. And this is why we love what we do.
๐ Tell us! Could you spend your working day outdoors, whatever the weather?๐ง๏ธโ๏ธ