Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re thinking of getting involved in Outdoor Classroom Day but have a few questions, our frequently asked questions might help. Whether you’re a teacher, parent or potential partner, there is something in there for you.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can. You can also share your questions and ideas on social media using #OutdoorClassroomDay.
REGISTRATION
How do I register?
Go to the Get involved section, scroll down to SIGN UP! and click on the tab that most closely describes you:
TEACHER, PARENT or PARTNER
Can I change my details after I have submitted them?
Register again (using the same school or organisation name) and we will update them for you. Or you can email us to tell us what needs to be changed: ukandireland@outdoorclassroomday.com
How do I register multiple classes?
Just register your school once and make sure that the total number of children includes all the classes that are taking part.
The registration function on the website isn’t working, what shall I do?
It should be… please email us and let us know: ukandireland@outdoorclassroomday.com
Can nurseries and kindergartens sign up?
Yes please! Nurseries have a lot to celebrate on the day as they do some of the best work supporting outdoor learning and play. Sign up by clicking on the TEACHER tab and registering your nursery as a school.
GENERAL
Can you send me more information please?
There are lots of great resources on the website so have a look around and see if there is anything you find inspiring. You can also check out Outdoor Classroom Day on Facebook and Twitter.
I have contacted you previously but have had no response, can you update me please?
Sorry, hopefully that is because we have been inundated with schools signing up! We will get back to you as soon as possible. If you haven’t heard from us within a week send us an email: ukandireland@outdoorclassroomday.com
Can I hold an event on Outdoor Classroom Day if I am not a teacher?
Yes! Whatever your age, spend some time playing and learning outside on Thursday 18 May. Some of the most fun and creativity happens when you are in the great outdoors.
Many outdoor learning and play organisations run special activities on Outdoor Classroom Day for local schools. If that is you then click on the PARTNER tab and let us know what you are going to do on the day.
If you are a nursery, kindergarten, after school group, play organisation or youth group, or even a university, you can get involved! Just sign up as a SCHOOL and add a note.
If you are a parent of school aged children, ask their school to sign up and see if they would like you to help out.
Remember to take your children outside after school on the day. Click on the PARENT tab to find out more information about why dirt is good.
Lastly if you would like to get involved yet none of the tabs quite fit, look through our partner info, contact an organisation close to you and offer to volunteer on the day.
Do you have anything specific to early years?
Many nursery and preschools are signed up to celebrate outdoor play and learning on Thursday 18 May. As nursery schools really lead the way in taking their children outside, most of the resources on this website are focused on slightly older children. Some of the activities on the resource page are also useful for early years, we particularly like those in Explore Outside the Classroom and we think some early years pupils will too.
In my country we have school holidays on 12 October, how can we get involved?
You are not the only one who has that problem! If your school is on holiday you can still register, download the resources and share your amazing day – just choose a day that works for you. If you would like a poster without a date on let us know!
I would like to take part but I don’t think my country is on your list?
Brilliant! The countries we are looking at running flagship campaigns in include: UK, Brazil, Turkey, Vietnam, Portugal, India, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Finland, France, Greece, China, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Iran, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria, Bangladesh, Chile, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – although others may join in too.
If your country isn’t on the list, or hasn’t got its own designated website yet, then simply sign up at: www.outdoorclassroomday.com
The most important thing is to get involved and to have a great day learning and playing outside!
MEDIA
I work in media – can you send me a press pack please?
Please contact us and we will send you some information: ukandireland@outdoorclassroomday.com
CORPORATES AND ORGANISATIONS
How can corporates get involved?
Lots of organisations get involved in the day, by spreading the word to their customer base and providing offers for schools signed up on the day.
Click on the PARTNER tab on the homepage, fill in the form and we will be in touch.
We would like to help spread the word, what can we do?
Follow up on Facebook and twitter, let your contacts know about Outdoor Classroom Day, fill in the form when you click on the PARTNER tab and we can give you more information.
Could you help boost social media posts? Put up posters in your workplace? Help us print out posters or other resources? Maybe look at the books in the Outdoor library and choose one to be professionally printed for a number of schools? There are lots of ways to get involved!
Most of all, plan to do something lovely outdoors on the day and let everyone know.
We love the idea, how can we get involved?
Whatever your age, spend some time playing and learning outside on Outdoor Classroom Day – some of the most fun and creativity happens when you are in the great outdoors.
Many outdoor learning and play organisations run special activities on Outdoor Classroom Day for local schools. If that’s you, then click on the PARTNER tab and let us know what you are going to do on the day.
If you are a parent of school aged children, ask their school to sign up and see if they would like you to help out.
Remember to take your children outside after school on 12 October – if you click on the PARENT tab you can find more information about why dirt is good.
Lastly, you are welcome to look through the partner information and find an organisation close to you – get in touch with them and offer to volunteer on the day.
We would like to offer our outdoor space for schools to visit, can I do this?
Brilliant, click on the PARTNER tab and let us know all about it so we can promote it to schools signed up to the day.
We would like to offer a discount on our services to schools on the day can I do this?
Great, click on the PARTNER tab and let us know all about it so we can promote it to schools signed up to the day.
We would like to co-brand a publication to support the day, can we do this?
Please contact the global team on: ukandireland@outdoorclassroomday.com
How can we encourage the schools we work with to take part?
Let them know about the day and feel free to share the great resources on this website with them. Remember that lots of schools do fantastic work supporting outdoor play and learning, so encourage them to celebrate what they do well and maybe even do a bit more on Thursday 18 May.
PARENTS
I am a parent and want to influence my child’s school to get involved, can you help?
Brilliant, let your child’s class teacher know about the day and ask them to sign up. Feel free to share any of the resources on the website with them if you think they will find them inspiring.
Keep an eye on www.dirtisgood.com for loads of ideas about how to take adventures and the outdoors home with you!
Play for today, prepared for tomorrow!
Share your days on social media using #OutdoorClassroomDay:
Twitter: @OutdoorClassUKI
Facebook: /outdoorclassroomdayUKandIRL
Do be aware that you get involved at your own risk! Be prepared to be amazed…
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.