Importance of Outdoor Education

At Korowa, we see Outdoor Education programs as the experiential manifestation of our wellbeing program, where personal stretch, community action, environmental connection, and skill acquisition combine. Carefully designed programs ensure that the majority of consequences are natural, immediate and directly linked to clear responsibilities. Students have agency over influential decisions and they are not ranked against their peers. We focus on rewarding effort and attitude rather than results and encourage students to courageously step outside their comfort zone and try new things. These programs provide students some of the earliest opportunities to experience the breadth of an independent life.

Outdoor Education programs begin at Korowa in Year 2 with a day trip to an outdoor education centre, which is a fun introduction for students, while the highlight for many students is participating in our Year 9 program - Trek or Urban Challenge. Across the years students participate in a range of programs which are essential in ensuring the right level of stretching their comfort zone. Each program builds on the knowledge and skills obtained the previous year and incorporates opportunities to practise the wellbeing themes of their current year. For outdoor education programs to be successful it is essential that students understand their learnings and how to transfer these skills into their daily lives and future learning, with our offerings regularly reviewed to ensure they are meeting the needs of the cohort.

It is noted that today’s students will work in industries and jobs which are yet to be conceived. Living this reality shares plenty of common ground with outdoor and experiential education. Cutting edge careers embrace trial and error, collaborative thinking, skill acquisition, overcoming discomfort, rewarding effort and wide transference of knowledge.

A holistic education includes outdoor education experiences, as these learnings help students become independent, confident young people well prepared for life beyond school.

By Sharon Cox, Head of Outdoor Education