There’s a moment on every camp – a quiet pause after the tents are up, the final push to the top of a steep trail, or the freedom of catching a wave – when learning looks completely different. Out here, away from desks and devices, students are challenged to think on their feet, rely on one another, and discover just how capable they really are.
At Nazareth, Outdoor Education is more than just a subject. It’s a dynamic, experience-rich program that helps students in Years 9 to 12 build resilience, confidence, and connection – with themselves, each other, and with the natural world.
Throughout the program, students take on a variety of outdoor challenges: from bushwalking and camping to surfing and kayaking. They learn to cook their own meals on Trangias, pitch tents, navigate unfamiliar terrain and work as a team – often in unpredictable conditions. Along the way, they develop essential skills in first aid, decision-making and problem-solving under pressure.
As students grow, so does the challenge. By the time they reach Stage 1 and 2, they’re planning multi-day expeditions, preparing meals in the bush, and stepping up as leaders. These are the kinds of experiences that shape character. They reflect, adapt, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had.
“Outdoor Ed has taught me how to collaborate independently and in teams while immersed in nature, and I’ve found new strengths and skills I can use in the long run,” said Eva (Stage 1). “Bushwalking camp helped me disconnect from the stress of day-to-day life, get away from my phone, make new friends, and reconnect with nature and myself.”
Edward (Stage 1) added, “It’s allowed me to escape the classroom and learn new skills that will benefit me in the future. I feel extremely grateful to have had the chance to participate in this subject.”
“There’s something powerful about watching students learn beyond the classroom — to face challenges with courage, to care for each other, and to find wonder in the natural world. Outdoor Education helps shape character and connection: building resilience, gratitude, and a deep respect for the land and each other. Growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable; it comes from leaning into challenge and discovering you’re capable of more than you thought.” – Kate Zvirgzdins (7-12 Leader of Teaching and Learning – Outdoor Education)
While the subject offers plenty of adventure, it’s the deeper impact that stays with students long after they’ve packed up camp. They grow in confidence. They develop a stronger sense of wellbeing. They learn to lead, to listen, and to take care of themselves, their peers, and the environment around them.
“A camp full of laughter, tears, sweat and joy – you find that resilience sometimes begins with a face full of dirt.” said Aluel (Stage 1).
Outdoor Education also nurtures a sense of responsibility for the world around us. Through immersive experiences in nature, students come to understand their role as stewards of creation – learning the value of sustainable practices, ecological awareness, and care for God’s earth as part of our shared human responsibility.
In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced, digital and demanding, Outdoor Education plays a vital role in preparing young people for life. It builds the kinds of skills that can’t be taught through textbooks alone – adaptability, collaboration, self-awareness – and it does so through meaningful, memorable moments that simply can’t be replicated inside four walls.
