Progressive challenge
Meet students where they are
Plan the physical, social and practical challenge around the year level, group experience and intended outcomes.
Outdoor education programs for secondary schools
Secondary school outdoor education journeys and expeditions
Design a journey-based outdoor education program around year-level goals, student needs and Victorian settings, with experienced planning support from AusCamp.
- VTIC accredited Quality Tourism Camp & Adventure
- Established 1986 Four decades in outdoor education
- 100+ schools supported Across Victoria and interstate
- Bespoke programs Built around students and learning outcomes
Outdoor education shaped with your school
Build a journey that has a clear purpose for your students
A secondary school journey can do more than move students through a series of activities. It can create space for challenge, responsibility, reflection and stronger relationships.
AusCamp has worked in outdoor education since 1986 and develops programs in collaboration with schools. Begin with the outcomes your year level is working towards, the experience students already have and the practical boundaries around time, setting and support.
The resulting program might include travel through a natural setting, outdoor skills, shared responsibilities, structured challenges and time to reflect. The exact format can be planned around the group rather than forcing every school into the same itinerary.
- Designed for secondary school groups
- Flexible program planning around school goals
- Journey, expedition and extended-program possibilities
What a well-designed journey can support
Connect outdoor experience with the outcomes that matter at school
The strongest program is not simply the hardest one. It gives students an appropriate level of challenge and makes the learning purpose clear.
School goals
Start with a clear purpose
Align journey outcomes with your school wellbeing framework, Year 9 rite-of-passage goals, VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies curriculum units, or Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey requirements.
Program structure
Join the parts into one experience
Consider route, activities, accommodation or camping, equipment, meals, supervision and reflection as one connected program.
Planning confidence
Work through the evidence early
Discuss the current planning, risk, emergency, insurance and accreditation information your approval process requires.
Program design
Turn educational goals into a practical outdoor education program
The planning conversation brings learning goals and operational detail together before an itinerary is settled.
-
Outcomes and student needsShare the purpose of the program, relevant year-level context and any needs that should shape participation.
-
Setting and journey formatDesign journey itineraries across premier Victorian wilderness environments, including the Alpine National Park, Mount Stirling, the Strathbogie Ranges, the Surf Coast, the Mitchell River and the Lower Glenelg River.
-
Duration and progressionConsider how the experience can build across several days or connect with a broader school sequence.
-
Logistics and preparationWork through equipment, clothing, meals, transport, staffing, communication and the information students need.
What shapes the program price
Program duration, participant numbers, route, staffing, equipment, accommodation or camping, meals and transport can all affect the cost. AusCamp can develop a clearer option once your priorities and practical limits are understood.
Changing or rebuilding an established program?
You can begin by sharing what already works, what needs to change and which school requirements must be preserved. The first conversation can focus on fit before detailed redesign begins.
Collaborative design
A journey takes shape through four practical conversations
- 01
Define the purpose
Clarify the year level, desired outcomes, student context and measures of a successful experience.
- 02
Choose the format
Compare journey, expedition, residential and extended possibilities that can support those outcomes.
- 03
Build the detail
Shape route, activities, duration, equipment, food, staffing, transport and preparation.
- 04
Prepare the community
Give staff, students and families clear expectations and the practical information they need.
Victorian bases for outdoor education
Choose a base and setting that support the journey
A program can use an AusCamp property as a residential base, connect with surrounding outdoor settings or combine both approaches. Suitability depends on the season, route, group and planned activities.
Venue
Charnwood
A Strathbogie Ranges base with residential and camping options, bush surroundings and access to varied outdoor activity possibilities.
Venue
Anglesea Valley Lodge
A lodge and camping base near Anglesea, with coastal, bush and off-site activity settings available for program planning.
Venue
Nillahcootie
A lakeside base in north-east Victoria with accommodation, camping and possibilities for land and water-based experiences.
Compare program formats
Find the structure that suits your school
These program families provide a useful starting point. AusCamp can discuss how they might be adapted for your year level and goals.
Travel through place
Journey-based Programs
Explore multi-day outdoor learning shaped around movement, shared responsibility and reflection.
Explore journey-based programs
A defined challenge
Expedition Programs
Consider an expedition format for students ready to take on a focused outdoor challenge.
Explore expedition programsMore time together
Extended Programs
Look at longer-form experiences that combine community living, outdoor learning and school goals.
Explore extended programsCommon outdoor education questions
Start planning with the questions that shape the program
The detail can be developed after AusCamp understands your students, goals and practical boundaries.
Can a journey be designed around our school goals?
Yes. Begin with the outcomes, year-level context and student needs that matter to your school. AusCamp can then discuss a suitable format, setting and progression.
What activities can be part of a journey or expedition?
Possibilities can include hiking, canoeing or kayaking, sailing, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, camping, navigation, outdoor skills and reflective activities. The final mix depends on the setting, season, group and program plan.
Does the program need to use an AusCamp venue?
An AusCamp property can provide a base for some programs, while other experiences may travel through surrounding outdoor settings. The right approach can be discussed during planning.
How early should our school start planning?
Start once you have a likely year level, timing and purpose. Earlier contact gives more room to discuss dates, program design, approvals, staffing and family communication.
Can AusCamp help us review an existing program?
Yes. Share the parts you want to retain, the concerns you want to address and any school requirements that cannot change. AusCamp can begin with a fit conversation before proposing detail.
Start with the outcome you want students to take home
Tell AusCamp about the year level, your goals, likely dates and the experience students already have. The program can take shape from there.