Beyond Borders

Yesterday marked the final day of Forest of the Mind, a day to pause, look back at our journey, and start thinking about what comes next. 💚

We began by reflecting on our experiences throughout the project: the challenges we faced, the moments that stayed with us, and the learning we gained through nature, outdoor education, eco-therapy, metacognition, inclusion and learning by doing.

We then turned our attention to Erasmus+ and the future. Together, we explored possibilities for new projects and worked on designing future ideas, thinking about how the knowledge, methods and connections developed during Forest of the Mind can continue beyond these days in Norway. 🌍✨

The day ended with our final evaluation and closing of the project. We shared feedback, appreciations, lessons learned and hopes for the future, bringing the group journey to a meaningful close.

What started as a group of people from different backgrounds and countries became a shared learning experience, a network of connections and hopefully the beginning of many new ideas and collaborations.

The project may be ending, but the learning continues. 🌱

One of the most meaningful days of Forest of the Mind took us beyond the training space and into the local community. 🤝

We travelled to Hareid, where we spent the day at a refugee camp and facilitated activities designed and prepared by the participants themselves.

It was a valuable opportunity to put our learning into practice, combining outdoor education, inclusion, non-formal learning, nature connection, wellbeing and creative facilitation. More importantly, it reminded us that good activities are not about following a perfect plan, but about listening, adapting and creating space for people to participate in their own way.

After the activities, we continued the day with a beautiful walk together, taking time to slow down, connect and enjoy the Norwegian landscape. 🌲🥾

Because of GDPR and the consent forms, we are respecting participants’ privacy and therefore will not be sharing many photos showing the refugees or their faces. For us, protecting dignity and privacy is more important than having a lot of pictures.

Some experiences are better measured not by the number of photos, but by the connections, conversations and learning we take with us. 💚

Forest of the Mind, from experience, to action, to community.

After two days of hiking and spending a night outdoors in the mountains, we took time to slow down and reflect on the experience. What did the mountains teach us about ourselves? How did we deal with uncertainty, challenges, teamwork and our own thinking? 🥾⛺

But the learning didn’t stop with the hike.

We then turned our attention to another important topic: climate anxiety. 🌍🧠

Through discussion, experiential activities and different perspectives, we explored how climate change can affect young people’s emotions, decisions and sense of the future, and what role youth workers can play in creating spaces for connection, understanding and agency.

And then it was time to turn learning into action.

Participants worked in groups to design nature-based activities for refugees, bringing together everything they have explored during the project so far: outdoor education, inclusion, facilitation, wellbeing, experiential learning and connection with nature. 🌿🤝

The challenge was not simply to create a “fun activity”, but to ask:

Who are we designing for? What do they need? What barriers might they face? And how can nature help create connection and belonging?

From reflection in the mountains to climate anxiety, and from learning to designing activities for the community, Forest of the Mind continues to move from experience to action. 🌱

🥾 Two Days. One Night. One Mountain Experience. ⛰️🌲

For two days, Forest of the Mind moved even further outdoors as participants embarked on a mountain expedition, carrying everything they needed and spending a night sleeping outside in the mountains.

This was much more than a hike.

🎒 We learned how to prepare and pack for an expedition.
🧭 We navigated using maps and compass.
⛺ We set up our shelters and created our camp.
🔥 We cooked outdoors and learned to work with limited resources.
🤝 We supported each other through physical and mental challenges.
🌧️ We adapted to the conditions and to the needs of the group.
🌄 And we experienced what it means to slow down and simply be present in nature.

Spending a night in the mountains also created something that cannot be replicated in a classroom: shared experience. When you carry your own equipment, face uncertainty, make decisions together and wake up surrounded by mountains, the group becomes a little different.

Throughout the expedition, we were putting Outdoor Adventure Education and experiential learning into practice: experience first, reflect on it, learn from it, and think about how these experiences can later be transferred into youth work.

And of course, there were moments of tiredness, laughter, challenge, beautiful views and probably a few moments when everyone wondered why they had agreed to carry that backpack. 😄🎒

But that’s also part of the learning.

Because sometimes the most meaningful lessons happen far from the classroom, somewhere between the trail, the tent, the fire and the mountain.

🏕️ Learning by Doing: Outdoor Adventure Education 🧭

Today, we stepped deeper into the world of Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE), exploring not only what we do outdoors, but how outdoor experiences can become powerful learning experiences.

We started by looking at the history and principles of OAE and explored Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, connecting experience, reflection, conceptualisation and experimentation. 🔄

Then it was time to get practical!

Participants learned and practised essential outdoor skills:

⛺ Setting up a tent
🎒 Packing a backpack
🗺️ Reading a map
🧭 Navigation and using a compass
🔥 Outdoor cooking

Rather than simply talking about these skills, participants learned through experience, teamwork, problem-solving and reflection, putting the principles of experiential learning into practice themselves.

Every practical challenge became a learning opportunity: How do we communicate? How do we make decisions? What happens when our first plan doesn’t work? How do we support each other?

These are exactly the kinds of experiences that can later be transformed into meaningful tools for youth work, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing.

Another day of learning outside the classroom, and another step towards becoming confident outdoor facilitators. 🌲

Learn it. Experience it. Reflect on it. Try it again.

Kayaking to History 🛶

Today, we took our learning onto the water!

We set off by kayak towards an historical island, combining outdoor adventure, teamwork and exploration. Paddling together challenged us to communicate, coordinate, support each other and adapt to the conditions around us.

Reaching the island gave us the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the landscape, share lunch together and connect with the history of the place. 🌿

But the journey was also part of the learning. Being outdoors creates situations where we have to make decisions, manage challenges, trust others and stay aware of ourselves and our surroundings.

Throughout Forest of the Mind, we are exploring how these experiences can become meaningful tools in youth work, connecting outdoor education, wellbeing, inclusion, reflection and learning by doing.

And, of course, sometimes the best learning happens with a paddle in your hands and the Norwegian landscape all around you. 🇳🇴🌊

Another day, another experience, another story to take home.

The journey continues. 🌲

🌿 Forest of the Mind has officially started! 🌿

Today we welcomed the participants of Forest of the Mind in Høydal, Norway, and began our journey together! 🌲

The first part of the day was all about getting to know each other, building our team and creating a safe space for the days ahead. Through getting-to-know-you and team-building activities, we shared our backgrounds, experiences and motivations for joining the project.

We also introduced the project in more detail and explored our expectations for the week, what we hope to learn, what we can contribute, and what we want to take home with us.

In the afternoon, we moved from the farm to the harbour, where we took part in the Mount Everest simulation game. 🏔️

The challenge pushed us to make decisions under pressure, communicate, work as a team and think about how we respond when information is incomplete and the stakes are high.

And perhaps that is the perfect way to begin Forest of the Mind: not just by talking about learning, but by experiencing it together.

This is only Day 1. 🌱

Over the coming days, we will explore eco-therapy, metacognition, outdoor education, inclusion, facilitation and nature-based approaches to youth work, while learning from each other and from the environment around us.

The forest is waiting. 🌲

🌿 FOREST OF THE MIND has officially begun! 🌿

We are excited to launch Forest of the Mind, an Erasmus+ PDA taking place from 25 August to 3 September 2026 in Volda, Norway, bringing together youth workers, social workers, educators and mental health professionals from across Europe.

In a world where young people are increasingly affected by stress, climate anxiety and social exclusion, this project aims to explore how nature can become a powerful space for wellbeing, learning and inclusion.

Throughout the training, participants will:
🌱 discover practical eco-therapy and nature-based interventions;
🧠 strengthen metacognitive skills to better support young people in understanding their thoughts, emotions and decision-making;
🥾 develop outdoor education competences through hiking, kayaking, navigation, camping and experiential learning;
🤝 learn how to design inclusive outdoor programmes accessible to young people with diverse backgrounds and abilities;
🌍 build an international network for future cooperation and the exchange of innovative youth work practices.

A highlight of the project will be a Community Day, where participants will design and facilitate nature-based activities together with members of the local community in Volda with different mental disabilities, putting their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice.

💻 Our journey has already started!

On 25 July, we held our online preparation meeting, where participants had the opportunity to meet each other for the first time, get to know the aims and structure of the project, discuss practical arrangements, equipment, travel and logistics, and begin building the connections that will accompany us throughout this learning journey.

The preparation meeting was also an opportunity to answer questions, set expectations, and ensure that everyone arrives in Norway feeling informed, confident, and ready for an unforgettable experience.

This is only the beginning, and we can't wait to share the next steps of this journey with you.

Stay tuned! 🌲✨

The project is financed by Erasmus+ Ungdom
Project partners:
Austria - S'Kollektiv
Bulgaria - Дом "Вегетариум" / Vegetarium home - Eco Integral Community Home, Bulgaria
France - Tous unis pour la transmission et l’action européenne
Germany - EuroYouth
Spain - Vibria Intercultural

🌋 **Beyond Borders in Sicily! 🇳🇴🇮🇹**

Two participants from **Beyond Borders Norway** had the opportunity to represent our organization at the **Erasmus+ Training Course "Etna Odyssey"** in beautiful Sicily.

Together with youth workers from **12 different countries**, they explored innovative approaches to **outdoor learning, non-formal education, mental health, and youth work**. The training combined inspiring workshops with outdoor experiences, highlighting how nature can strengthen resilience, well-being, and meaningful learning.

Beyond gaining new knowledge and practical tools, our participants built international friendships, exchanged ideas, and returned home with fresh inspiration to support young people in our local communities.

A big thank you to the organizers and everyone who made this experience so memorable. We look forward to putting these new ideas into practice and sharing the impact with our community!

📸 Here are some moments from this incredible journey.