Eastern Ranges School

At Eastern Ranges School the Outdoor Education Program includes learning at school both in the indoor and outdoor classroom and time engaging with the broader community in both natural and built environments.

Year 10 students take part in Outdoor Education on a weekly basis. Students have the opportunity to participate in full day excursions with the Outdoor Education teachers. Benefits and goals of the program are individualised and cover numerous areas of the curriculum and growth for participants. This Program aims to prepare students for overnight camp experiences in the future, increase community awareness and connection, and promote confidence, social skills and working in teams.

Students will attend a 3-day camp at Blackwood Outdoor Specialist Camp, where they can participate in a range outdoor activities which include rock climbing, abseiling, bushwalking, ropes course, team building games, bush cooking and more.

Students identify and explore natural and built environments in the local community where physical activity (such as walking, running and bike riding) can take place. Students participate in outdoor games and activities to examine how participation promotes a connection between the community, natural and built environments, and health and wellbeing.

The Outdoor Education Programs has the following Victorian Curriculum links:

Health and Physical Education: being healthy, safe and active. Explore how participation in outdoor activities supports personal and community health and wellbeing and creates connections to the natural and built environment.

Personal and Social Capability: identify and express a range of emotions in their interactions with others, recognise personal qualities, achievements and strengths. Recognising that attempting new and challenging tasks are an important part of development.

In 2024 a Camps Committee was formed with representation of all areas of the school. The Committee meets regularly to discuss camp experiences for students across all sub-schools- Junior, Middle and Senior. The team is working hard to create ongoing camp experiences for each year level. This includes sub-school-wide day adventures to new places, overnight school sleep outs, day-camp experiences and overnight camp stays.

It is exciting and growing times in the Outdoor Education and Camp Experience world, what a great time to be a part of an exciting journey!