St Kevin's - Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education

The College has traditionally operated Outdoor Education programs from the Silver Creek Campus in Flowerdale. This property was established in 1963 by Br. Hackett and was largely built by members of the Fathers' Association. Since then the Outdoor Education Department has continually developed and expanded the program to provide more challenging educational opportunities for our boys. In 2009 the Silver Creek Campus was burnt down and presently all Outdoor Education camps for Years 3-11 use external providers in a variety of locations across the state, Australia and internationally.

An extensive and challenging sequential program develops according to the age and abilities and past experiences of the students. With each year level comes not only more challenging experiences, but also more time and distance away from home.

Through the context of their camp and the outdoor setting, Glendalough students learn about themselves, their peers, the wider community and the natural environment.

All Junior School (Glendalough) camps are presently being conducted at the following locations:

• Year 3     Alpine Ash Retreat in Toolangi just north of Melbourne
• Year 4     Araluen Camp in Anglesea
• Year 5     Halls Outdoor Education Centre in Gembrook (Dandenongs)
• Year 6     Summit Camp in East Gippsland 

The Glendalough camp activities vary per year level but generally include bushwalking, orienteering, low ropes course, caving, canoeing, climbing and abseiling.

Secondary classes then build upon these experiences by venturing further afield, travelling throughout Victoria, Australia and Overseas with increased lengths of time extended beyond 9 days.

All Senior School programs are presently being conducted at the following locations:

• Year 7     Anglesea and Cumberland River near Lorne undertaking a surf aquatics program
• Year 8     Mansfield and the King River valley in Central Victoria Alpine ski program
• Year 9     Nationally based programs at the following locations:

  Fraser Island - Queensland          
  Wet Tropics: Lake Tinoroo and Daintree - Queensland
  Hinchinbrook Island and Tully - Queensland
  Whitsunday Islands - Queensland
  Ningaloo Reef - Western Australia
  Freycinet - Tasmania
  Arnhem Land - Northern Territory
  Central Oz-Top end - Bus journey through Central Australia
  Kosciuszko Winter Challenge - New South Wales
  Cairns to Townsville sailing training voyage - Queensland

• Year 10     Thompson River / Mitchell River and Glenelg rivers doing multi challenge based activities
• Year 11     Elective based program undertaking activities ranging from rock climbing, bushwalking, sailing, snorkelling, mountain bike touring, surfing, sea kyaking and horse riding.

In 2011 one Year 11 OAP group will be going overseas to Nepal with World Expeditions.
OAP leaders are a select group of up to 50 students undertaking an Outdoor leadership program where an ongoing peer support role exists with younger year levels.

The duration of each program also increases, as the boys get older. Program durations for 2011 are:

• Year 3 - 2 days
• Year 4 - 3 days
• Year 5 - 3 days
• Year 6 - 5 days
• Year 7 - 5 days
• Year 8 - 5 days
• Year 9 - 9 to 11 days
• Year 10 - 5 days
• Year 11 - 5 days
• Year 10 OAP Leaders - 9 days
• Year 11 OAP Leaders participate in one Glendalough or Year 7/8 camp.

Outdoor Education programs involve a process of evaluation and debriefing whether through group discussion or the use of Journals for reflection during and at the conclusion of an Outdoor Education program.