Outdoor Therapy for Youth Mental Well-Being, Erasmus+ Training Course

Bildung Nijmegen joined as a partner in the Erasmus+ training course “Outdoor Therapy for Youth Mental Well-Being”, held in the heart of Arcadia, Greece. This international project brought together youth workers, educators and facilitators from across Europe to explore how nature and outdoor experiences can support the mental health and personal growth of young people.

Set among the mountains and forests of Arcadia, the training offered a week of deep experiential learning, reflection and connection. Participants learned how natural environments can serve as spaces for learning, healing and transformation, not as a backdrop but as an active partner in the process. Through outdoor coaching techniques, mindfulness, creative exercises and shared reflections, we explored how being outside can help young people find calm, regain balance and rediscover their sense of belonging.

For Bildung Nijmegen, this experience connected beautifully with our mission to support youth in their social, emotional and personal development through meaningful, non-formal education. Our participants returned with practical tools and new inspiration on how to bring outdoor methods into local youth work, from reflective walks and outdoor workshops to seasonal activities that create space for rest, resilience and renewal.

The days in Arcadia reminded us of something simple yet profound. Sometimes learning begins by stepping outside. Beyond routines and walls, the natural world invites openness, authenticity and connection, the very elements young people need to grow. The insights gained will continue to shape our local projects in Nijmegen, where we hope to bring a bit of that Arcadian spirit into our own communities.

Outdoor Therapy for Youth Mental Well-being - 2024-3-EL02-KA153-YOU-000268983