Outdoor Education: The Classroom Without Walls
Pacific Lutheran College offers an extensive Outdoor Education Program that nurtures the development of self-confidence, resilience, problem solving, supported risk taking, communication and teamwork skills in a practical outdoor setting. Pacific’s Outdoor Education Program is recognised as a leader of experiential learning opportunities on the Sunshine Coast and incorporates the College’s values and teaching and learning principles.
Pacific greatly values the learning opportunities and life-long experiences that such a rich and rewarding program can provide and Outdoor Education has become a critical element of Pacific’s learning philosophy. As such, all camps from Years 1-9 are a compulsory component of a young person’s growth and development whilst at the College.
Pacific’s Outdoor Education Program is sequenced and delivered in a manner that sees young people engaging in increasing levels of challenge suited to their cognitive and emotional development and needs. The program culminates in an extended expedition in Year 9 that enhances students’ social emotional development, skills and knowledge gained during their prior experiences.
Having developed abilities and appreciation for outdoor environments throughout the Junior and Middle years at the College, students across Years 10 -12 have the option of participating in designated expeditions as part of the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Outdoor Education experiences at Pacific offers the resources and tools to provide students with a unique rich learning environment, which creates space for growth, a place for reflection and time to explore personal and social capabilities.
Pacific Outdoor Education Experience
Foundation
In Year 1, students connect with the local environment at Ewan Maddock Dam through activities like shelter-building using natural materials, hiking along the dam’s edge to explore nature, and supervised water play where they learn to propel themselves on boards. Reflection is encouraged through journaling, where students describe their experiences. In Year 2, students explore Chambers Island’s coastal environment, learning about ocean pollution through a puppet show and meeting aquatic animals. They build shelters in hibiscus trees, participate in a scavenger hunt, construct habitats in the sand, and reflect on their day through journaling.
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Junior College
In Year 3, students focus on building confidence in the outdoors and experience their first night away from home, engaging in nature-based activities that foster independence. Year 4 continues this development with an emphasis on connection to place and learning about local Indigenous culture through outdoor experiences. By Year 5, the program shifts towards developing a growth mindset, helping students navigate challenges and uncertainty through adventure-based activities, with staff support encouraging personal growth.
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Year 6
Pacific Year 6 students embark on a trip to Canberra as part of the Outdoor Education Program. Students explore our political system, history, science, the journey of elite athletes, and the process of making Australia's currency across 5 days. This experience offers significant opportunities for social and emotional development and helps strengthen relationships across the cohort.
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Middle College 7-9
In Year 7, the "Connections" program focuses on fostering relationships among new and continuing students through group activities and a supported expedition, emphasizing the importance of forming meaningful connections. Year 8 builds on this by promoting independence and decision-making through onsite challenges and a supported expedition. Year 9 culminates the outdoor education journey with a focus on community connection and decision-making as students transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Through expeditions into Conondale National Park and Noosa North Shore, students reflect on their identity and independence under staff guidance.
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Duke of Edinburgh Award
As well as the Outdoor Education Program, the development of physical skills and community service are also nurtured through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is an internationally recognised program that invites young people aged 14-25 to participate in a number of activities and service. Participants can acquire their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award whilst at Pacific Lutheran College, with each stage progressively increasing in time, service and commitment. We also offer the Bridge Award for young people aged 11½-25.
Participation is completely voluntary and students design their own program within a set of guidelines, enabling them to focus on things they are passionate about. Each Award requires a person to complete four sections – Fitness/Physical Recreation, Skill, Volunteering and Adventurous Journey. The Gold Award has an additional Residential Project component.
Many of the requirements can be achieved by simply recording things students already have the opportunity to complete while attending Pacific. Physical recreation can include SCISSA Sport or outside school sport, cycling to school, going to the gym, organised dancing, surfing or any other activity that requires a participant to get their heart pumping. A Skill can be almost any activity that a person participates in to improve themselves including art, drama, singing, music, cooking, scrap booking, sewing, painting and photography. Volunteering is one area where students may have to look outside the College and their normal lives. Anything that benefits others, for which a student donates their time, can be recognised. This includes caring for a neighbour’s garden, helping wildlife rescue or lifesaving. Finally, participants must complete an adventurous journey. Pacific’s Outdoor Education programs can be included in a student’s Award, as could the current New Zealand or Cambodia tours.
Philosophy of Learning
Learning is based on rich experiences across all dimensions of life and includes experiences at home, in the community, in the natural environment and at school.
Academic Program
To best cater for different rates and styles of learning, students are given the opportunity to engage in a range of activities to achieve particular outcomes.
Learning Enrichment
Caters for gifted and talented students and those students who require additional support.
Wellbeing
Growing students leadership within Pastoral Care Groups.
