‘Screen or Team or a Wise ‘Mean’ In-between’
E-learning, e-leisure, and the ‘out of doors.’
“Children still need a childhood with dirt, mud, puddles, trees, sticks and tadpoles.” well-known author.
‘It is indisputable that the ‘new’ or’ information age’ that we live in has a multitude of exceptional benefits and having access to these digital resources is an advantage.
However, as impressive as the advantages are, it has led to the detriment of children’s holistic development; that which is provided through outdoor learning. Playing in nature supports children’s holistic development and benefits their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Outdoor play is essential for healthy development, especially in children’s early years. Being energetic outside provides children with invaluable experiences that can directly influence their physical and emotional development, social skills, creativity and even their intelligences.’ (Structural Learning 2022).
Outdoor education provides opportunities to develop positive relationships with the environment, others, and ourselves, through interaction with the natural world. These relationships are essential for the wellbeing and sustainability of individuals, society, and our environment. (Outdoor Education Australia).
Such experiences can also be instrumental in the teaching of self-reliance, interdependence and leadership, the development of an adventurous spirit, managing personal risks, safe journeys in nature, the value of life-long outdoor recreation for enjoyment, health, and well-being, understanding nature through direct experience and for developing deeper human nature relationships.
It can help to develop essential personal and social capabilities such as:
- communication
- resilience
- self-confidence
- leadership
- teamwork
- goal setting
- personal autonomy
- initiative
My own School Camps, engagement with the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, and leadership in the King’s School Cadet Corp have all positively shaped who I am today.
The 4th Headmaster of Mosman Prep, Mr Allan H Bradley (1962) initiated far reaching camps, adventures, and father and son weekends. He took students to several different states in Australia, providing them not only with wonderful knowledge, but also with the opportunity to develop far more rapidly than they could do during everyday school hours.
For all the reasons outlined above, and more, we are committed to enriching the lives of our boys through exceptional outdoor education experiences.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Greg McDonald for his vision, meticulous planning, and commitment to the boys, by developing and managing such a rich camps program. I would also like to thank all the Prep Staff who have attended camps this year, dedicating themselves to supporting our boys during these invaluable experiences.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
Mosman Prep Outdoor Education Camps 2023
Year 3 and 4 Crusader Camp - Lake Macquarie (3 days)
Bushwalking, wide games, archery, group challenges and initiative activities, orienteering, sailing, rafting, canoeing, navigation, low ropes, reptile show, bush cooking, catapults, and Christian discovery.
Year 5 Coffs Harbour Adventure (5 days)
Near Coffs Harbour on the Mid-North Coast of NSW.
Adventure course, surfing, canoeing, Aboriginal preschool visit, and cultural tour with local indigenous students participating. The students raise money to buy books, sporting gear, and other resources for an Aboriginal preschool in the area.
Apart from being a great deal of fun, the trip has the aim of developing: community amongst the Year 5 team; powerful life skills, values and attitudes in students; positive connections with an Aboriginal community (Gumbaynggirr) and heritage; and an awareness of the Coffs Harbour environment.
Year 6 Camp Koloona - AYD Shoalhaven Conference Centre (5 days)
Abseiling, initiative activities, billy cart building, archery, “2 day Pack & Paddle” - 10-15km hike, 10-13km canoe, tent camp out, jetty jumping, Christian discovery, and a day trip to Jamberoo.
Year 6 Red Centre Trip (6 days)
Flight to Alice Springs, birds of prey show, Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air, camel rides, travel to King Canyon - Rim Walk 2-3 hrs, Lilla Community Indigenous experience, Kaarke Aboriginal Cultural Tour, Travel to Uluru - Uluru experience & Kata Tjuta walk.
Overnight accommodation: bunkhouse 1 night Alice Springs, tented for 2 nights each in Kings Canyon & Uluru.
Challenge, build confidence and independent living skills in a testing environment, build knowledge of geography, build intercultural understanding, experience the Red Centre of Australia and all it has to offer, experience an unforgettable adventure and opportunity.
References:
The Importance of Outdoor Learning - What are the benefits of outdoor learning for primary school children? (2022) - Dr Kumaree Padayichie - Structural Learning
Outdoor Education Australia
