Dates: 30.06 - 08.07.2015 Involved partners: Culture Helps to Breathe (EE), Support 4 Youth Development (RO), TDM 2000 (PL), Syncro (HR), Citta di Torino (IT), Jugendbildungsverein e.V.(DE), Be Part (GR) and Hair Redivivus (RO) Outdoor education is one of the most innovative educational approaches. Although it is known to human for centuries its codification can be traced only to The Dartington Conference of 1975, which provided its definition as ?those activities concerned with living, moving and learning in the outdoors?, involving awareness and respect for oneself, others and the environment. Although it is present in international youth work, it still remains an often overlooked method of education, primarily due to the rigorous health and safety measures it requires. This creates an opportunity to share the example of good practice of the UK educational system and its culture of a health and safety based approach to organisations from other European countries and primarily to young people representing them. ASHA Outdoor Education (AOE) Training Course was a project aimed at mainstreaming of outdoor education, in addition to focus on the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the life in harmony with the natural environment. It took place in June/July 2015. The project was a continuation of a successful series of outdoor education projects organised by ASHA in 2012 and 2013, including local volunteering projects and an international youth exchange. This project was carried out for 30 participants from eight organisations from different European countries. We have received a lot of interest in the project from organisations working on outdoor education in Romania. We have therefore decided to invite two organisations from Romania. Participants have included youth workers, volunteers as well as activists willing to learn and to share everything they have learnt and experienced (their skills, knowledge and positive attitudes) with others in Europe (and in their own communities). The objectives of this project were: - Promoting outdoor education as an inclusive tool in youth work; - Equipping participants with skills for outdoor education including preparation of activities, risk assessment, health and safety measures and outdoor methods; - Reflecting on the learning benefits of using the outdoors: health, lifestyle, connecting to nature, protecting the environment, fighting global warming; - Increasing youth participation through outdoor education; - Reflecting on the use of outdoor education in various Erasmus + projects (and Key Actions); - Developing further co-operation of partner promoter organisations in the field of outdoor education including future Key Action 1 activities or EVS projects. As a result of the project, participants are equipped with tools and methods for outdoor education. They had a chance to reflect on the changing lifestyles of young people and the beneficial effects of using outdoor methods, promoting healthier lifestyles, bringing young people closer to nature and the countryside. The potential long term results included increased competencies of all participants, but also inclusion of youngsters with fewer opportunities and those from culturally diverse backgrounds from among them. One of the final hopes of our course was a ?mainstreaming effect? of outdoor education as an educational tool not only for future international activities but also for small local projects (initially organised by all of our partner organisations). As far as we know similar activities have in fact been implemented in partnership countries (Romania and Poland). The course was done through a number of activities run in the Forest of Dean, where all participants were accommodated and where the project was carried out. The ASHA Centre is situated in a uniquely beautiful spot in the Forest, with access to all outdoor ?learning facilities? possible. We have used both ASHA grounds and the surrounding forest for learning purposes during the course. The working methods have also included: - Small group discussions - Multimedia presentations - Creative presentations - Working groups - Simulation games - Ice-breaking activities - Name-games - Team-building activities - Physical activities outdoors (hiking) - Round table discussions - Plenary (large group) discussion