Outdoor Centre – increased outdoor activities in learning and play

Preparations are well advanced for the installation of an outdoor education centre below the scout hut at Víðistaðatún, for nature-related projects in collaboration with the primary schools in Hafnarfjörður. The centre's facilities already contain various tools and equipment that will be available for use in both play and teaching. The town newspaper Hafnfirðingur met one of the project's coordinators, Guðrún Snorradóttir, a special needs teacher at Hraunvallar School.

^{A specimen box for placing all kinds of natural research materials in.
Scales.}

Guðrún has been teaching in Hafnarfjörður since 2012 and moved to the town five years later. Two years ago, she went on study leave where she familiarised herself with the work of the Centre for Outdoor Activities and Outdoor Learning, in areas such as health-promoting education, at the Gufunesbær youth centre in Reykjavík. „They have a large outdoor education centre in a shed by the ski slope in Árbær. It has facilities with various materials and equipment that can be used, for example, for outdoor lessons.“ says Guðrún, mentioning that there is also an Association of Outdoor Education Enthusiasts which holds short courses in the spring and autumn for those interested, run by the Centre for Outdoor Activities and Outdoor Learning. „They have given us projects and have been incredibly kind. The only thing needed to make this a reality is space for tools and equipment, and a toilet with a sink. This is all brought together in a spacious facility that the Scouts were kind enough to provide for us. They are specially trained in resourcefulness.“

^{Magnifying glass/microscope.}

^{Insect device.}

More areas have been listed.

The project is conceived very broadly and is, in fact, for all school stages and, looking to the future, in more places in the town. „It depends on the circumstances and facilities at each location. We're starting here at Víðistaðatún because it's centrally located and transport links are convenient. We have, however, already listed areas we'd like to involve in this, preferably close to the schools, such as places with easy access to the beach, a pond, and other similar locations. It can be such a hassle for each individual teacher to source everything themselves, and this makes all the preparation and implementation easier. The Forestry Commission has also offered us a site, which is brilliant, and the next outdoor classroom will be based there, and we are looking into transport to and from that location.“ says Guðrún.

^{Here is an example of some things you can take with you on your research expedition.}

Insect pins, specimen boxes and microscope slides

Assisting Guðrún with the project's preparation are Birna Dís Bjarnadóttir, a class teacher at Víðistaðaskóli, and Hulda Sólveig Jóhannsdóttir, a class teacher at Hvaleyrarskóli. „It just so happened that we were put together for this. They are absolutely fantastic, and Geir Bjarnason, the sports and leisure officer, is also very enthusiastic about the project and motivating. We're going to trial the facility in March and April, and then it will be properly launched this spring. The aim is to have everything well underway by the next school year.“ Among the tools and equipment provided at the facility are insect tweezers, microscopes and slide mounts, magnifying glasses, specimen boxes and torches, as well as frisbees, because Víðistaðatún has a proper disc golf course. „We have a small bank of projects, and there will be, for example, laminated sheets with tasks and games in the facility. The activities are seasonal. For example, you can dig into the soil and find something to look at more closely or use for outdoor activities in this health-promoting town. We hope this will further encourage outdoor activities, both in learning and play,“ says Guðrún.

^{Compasses and various other things.}

^{Rechargeable torches.}

An information page is being designed on the Hafnarfjörður website, where registration will take place and all information will be made available to users. The site is a key house with on-site access, which will make it possible to keep a good record of access and maintenance.

^{Disc golf discs, as there is a disc golf course in Víðistaðatún.}

^{Sipping bands.}

^Balls.
An interview with Guðrún was published in Hafnfirðinginn on 3 April 2021. Photos/OBÞ