Wanting your students outside, learning and exploring, but you feel overwhelmed by logistics, safety, and curriculum pressures.
Knowing outdoor learning is powerful for engagement, social-emotional growth, and curiosity, but you’re burned out and unsure where to start.
Trying to bring learning outdoors, but the momentum fizzled and it feels intimidating to keep it consistent.
step confidently into outdoor learning, even if it feels scary right now.
practical strategies and routines that actually work in real classrooms.
engage your students in meaningful outdoor learning WITHOUT spending hours planning.
Hi, I’m Lauren MacLean—an experienced primary teacher, author, and the voice behind the Teach Outdoors podcast (ranked a Top 10 Experiential Podcast).
With nearly 20 years in education and a background in nature-based learning, I’ve supported schools across North America in creating thriving outdoor classrooms that are engaging, inclusive, and sustainable. I’m also a bestselling children’s author, with books like Me and My Sit Spot, Finding Common Ground, Risky Play Gone Away, What Does It Mean to Care About Nature?, Sitting With Nature, and Learning With the Land—all rooted in helping children (and educators) build meaningful relationships with the natural world.
My work is all about making outdoor learning feel doable, joyful, and deeply impactful—whether you're just getting started or ready to expand what’s possible beyond your classroom walls.
I will help you confidently bring your classroom outside, set up routines that stick, and sustain outdoor learning all year long. With Thrive Outside, you'll be on the fast track to:
Confidently facilitating engaging outdoor lessons
Reducing burnout and increasing your energy
Aligning outdoor learning with curriculum standards
Creating routines that make outdoor learning sustainable
Inspiring curiosity and exploration in your students
Thrive Outside is a 4-week online group coaching program (plus a bonus PDF) designed to help educators set up, manage, and sustain outdoor learning experiences with confidence. Each week, we dive into practical strategies, curriculum integration, classroom management, and documenting the learning journey.
Cohort intakes are for September and February start-up
How to overcome fears and create a confident mindset for outdoor learning
Ways to integrate outdoor learning into your existing curriculum
Classroom management strategies specific to outdoor environments
Tools to document, celebrate, and share student learning outdoors
How to create sustainable routines and long-term outdoor learning practices
Learn how to step outside with confidence and create a supportive learning environment.
Understand the benefits of outdoor learning for engagement and social-emotional growth
Shift your mindset from “teacher in control” to “facilitator of exploration”
Address common fears and barriers with practical solutions
Discover how to seamlessly integrate outdoor learning into your lesson plans.
Connect outdoor activities to Science, Math, Language Arts, and Social Studies
Scaffold emergent learning from student curiosity
Create adaptable, low-prep outdoor lessons
Keep students safe, engaged, and focused in an outdoor environment.
Establish physical and emotional boundaries for safety
Use classroom management tools tailored for outdoor learning
Balance group dynamics and encourage collaboration
Capture and celebrate student growth outdoors.
Tools for documenting learning: journals, photos, apps
Reflection prompts for students to deepen understanding
Ideas for sharing learning with families and the school community
Includes strategies for building routines that last
Seasonal planning tips and minimal-resource activities
Tips for student stewardship and long-term outdoor learning success
You've got questions. We've got answers.
No! This course is designed for beginners and experienced educators alike.
All Q+A sessions are recorded and shared for easy access anytime.
You’ll have access for the duration of the program plus an extra month for reflection and community discussion.
The strategies can be adapted for K-5 classrooms.
"Thrive Outside completely changed how I view outdoor learning. My students are more engaged and I feel confident bringing lessons outside!"
"Lauren’s strategies were practical and realistic. I now have a plan to sustain outdoor learning all year!"
"This course was exactly what I needed. The live coaching and resources made implementation easy and fun."
You’re ready to confidently teach outdoors
You want to make outdoor learning sustainable
You want practical, curriculum-aligned strategies
You want your students to be curious, engaged, and active learners
Get Ready to Thrive Outside TOGETHER