Does Outdoor & Environmental Education Have a Role in Multicultural Education?

Overview & Synopsis

Outdoor and environmental education can play a vital role in multicultural education. Environmental education can promote global perspectives by exploring the common interests of different racial and ethnic groups in finding ways to live equitably and sustainably on earth. Outdoor and environmental educators can encourage racial and ethnic diversity among their members. To do so, they must focus on how environmental education can help meet the agenda of individuals and groups of color. Environmental education must also recognize the need to consider all human systems and cultures as factors in environmental problems and their solution. Outdoor education can offer programs that bring individuals together to share the strengths and uniqueness of people and build a common base of experience. Organized camping has recently played a role in building trust and breaking down barriers among interracial groups of teens. It is imperative that both environmental and outdoor educators find ways to address the environmental issues and outdoor recreational preferences of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. A list of 31 references and resources concludes the article. (KS)