Outdoor Education: Semester 1

Common Study

Unit description

Students undertake a program at the King River-Wabonga Plateau (Alpine National Park). A seven day expedition through this area utilises the following adventure pursuits and skills to successfully complete their journey:

Bushwalking and navigation
Canoeing
White water rafting
River crossings

The responsibility for navigation, leadership and group management will primarily be in the hands of the students.

The Outdoor Education program continues and builds on learning in previous years.

Structured outdoor experiences promote:

Self-esteem
Resourcefulness
Interdependence
Independence
Leadership
Judgment
Co-operation
Tolerance
Determination

Students live communally - a situation that encourages co-operation, not only with the environment, but also with their peers. The experiences are aimed at encouraging students to develop and implement more ecologically sound living principles.

Assessment

Informal assessment occurs throughout the program with staff providing feedback as necessary. Students write reflections on their experiences and their learning, and are encouraged to self-assess based on a series of guided questions. This aspect of personal and social learning is an important element of Outdoor Education.