Outdoor Education Program
Fraser Coast Anglican College has a unique and sought after Outdoor
Education Program, a program that is specifically designed to cater
for all students' needs. Our philosophy has been to remain true to
the ideals of delivering a comprehensive, sequential and progressive
program that challenges students year after year.
PREP to YEAR 5 - Outdoor Adventure
The aim of Outdoor Education in Primary School in a nutshell, is to have fun and lots of it! We play adventure based games; try a variety of exciting activities, such as canoeing and bushwalking, as well as camping overnight in many different locations.
Students should have a great outdoor experience, making it something they look forward to. Each year the program develops different core skills to assist them in years to come.
YEAR 6 - Outdoor Basics
Over 4 days we hike, camp, cook, swim and explore the fantastic natural environment on World Heritage Listed Fraser Island. We focus on exploring the Island’s ecosystems and follow the principles of minimum impact camping. The activities we experience range from short walks through the enchanted forests, swimming in pristine lakes and participating in a series of adventure based learning games. Students learn lightweight camping, including their first attempt at cooking on fuel stoves.
YEAR 7 - Outdoor Skill Developments
The final year of primary school signifies the start of a new phase, 'self reliance'. From Year 7 onwards students are taught all the skills required to successfully operate the camp; these include the setup and maintenance of a functional camp site, the responsibility to cook all their own meals, timetabling of camp activities and practising minimal impact camping.
YEAR 8 - Teamwork, Problem Solving and Leadership
Students begin their Secondary Outdoor Education Programme in
February/March with a 5 day experience based at Harry’s Hut on the
magnificent Noosa River, discovering the natural wonders of the Cooloola
National Park. It’s a great opportunity to introduce the development of
teamwork, problem solving, decision making and leadership skills.
Activities, including canoeing, bushwalking and lightweight stove cooking
skills.
YEAR 9 - Adventure and Personal Challenges
Whilst teamwork is still important in Year 9, the main theme is adventure and personal challenge which is different for everyone. It may be mountain biking through the Glass House Mountains, or time they spend alone gathering and processing thoughts. From our base camp at Camp Cooroora, we spend time mountain biking, bushwalking, abseiling and orienteering.
YEAR 10 - Expeditions
The expedition style of programme provides students with skills and experiences for future self-initiated adventure and opportunities to learn more about themselves. As students have been involved with outdoor education for a number of years by now they are to put into practice the skills and knowledge from previous programs such as personal challenge, responsible adventure, sensible risk taking, group problem solving and co-operation, environmental ethics and outdoor skills. Students learn to be self sufficient, in general camp duties, cooking and group management.
YEAR 11 - Operation Outersphere
This is the final programme for students, probably the hardest yet most rewarding. Operation Outersphere is basically an expedition, with one major difference; students don’t know where they are going until the morning of departure, and they have a major objective/mission to complete.
'The race is on to stop Counterpunch EBG from carrying out their act of environmental terrorism. Your team’s mission is to save Lake Metropolis from this significant threat of environmental terrorism. Are you up to the challenge? In order to prepare for the challenge your team will need to attend training sessions beginning at 4.45am Monday 4th September. Your meeting place is FCAC from where you will be transported to your training venue.' An extract from last year’s programme.
The mission can take them anywhere, anytime, working with group sizes of 8-10 plus 1 staff member. This great program is unique to Fraser Coast Anglican College.
Outdoor Education in our curriculum
Our program promotes students to forge new relationships with peers, friends and teachers. It encourages students to break out of their daily routine and be themselves whilst promoting strong values. We feel strongly that Outdoor Education at Fraser Coast Anglican College is providing a powerful medium through which to show students pathways to success in later life and is a crucial component of our curriculum. For more information contact FCAC's Director of Outdoor Education, Mr Andrew Fellows on 4124 5411.
