Outdoor learning pavilions in your outdoor classroom provide a shaded area where students can sit and discuss their observations and any data that they collected while participating in activities in the outdoor classroom.  We suggest that schools invest in an outdoor pavilion instead of a pergula or gazebo - for details CLICK HERE.  Example outdoor learning pavilions are shown below:

 

McBride's Pavilion (from the outside)	McBride's Pavilion (on the inside)
Locust Fork High's Pavilion (from the outside)	Locus Fork High's Pavilion (on the inside)
Example Outdoor Pavilion	Lakewood's Pavilion
Prattville Primary's Pavilion	Weatherly Elementary's Pavilion

 








































 

---

Why Pavilions are better than Pergolas & Gazebos

• Pergolas and Gazebos are not large enough.  Most pergolas and gazebos are not large enough to comfortably sit an entire class of students.
• Pergolas do not provide adequate shade.  Most pergolas with vines weaved through the slats in the ceiling attempt to provide shade, but most of the shade provided is from the shadow the pergola casts on the ground outside of the pergola.  The only time of day that the pergola typically provides shade under the pergola is from ~11:30 am – 12:30 pm.
• Vines on a pergola are very difficult to manage.  You typically have to stand on a chair to reach the top slats (ceiling) of a pergola to manipulate &/or cut the vines, which can be painful when you neck is bent looking straight up the whole time.  In addition, even with a chair, the averaged-height person may have difficulty reaching the vines.  Also, vines grow and spread quickly, and should be cut back each season (or each month during the growing season) to keep vines from hanging down inside the pergola.  
• Pergolas can attract a lot of bees around the students.  Most of the vines chosen for a pergola produce beautiful flowers that attract bees.  While bees are essential for pollination of your gardens, it is not helpful to have bees buzzing about the students as you are trying to discuss their observations and the activity you are conducting with them.  The students can become distracted or afraid, so they are unable to learn.
• Pavilions are much better… they provide much better shade for a larger group of students because of the size and shape of the roof.  Maintenance is much easier because you only have to stain the lumber in the pavilion annually instead of the seasonal maintenance of managing the vines.  You may get an occasional wasp trying to build a nest inside the pavilion, but you can spray the wasp or knock down the nest; whereas, the bees visiting the vines in a pergola will keep coming back to drink from the flowers.

.