Outdoor+Activities

Page Synopsis: This page is dedicated to what Outdoor Activities can be used to produce effective learning outcomes for students on field trips or camps, and which suit the standards outlined in the area of study 2 and the specific key knowlege no.1, of Outdoor and Environmental Studies unit 4.

Prior to going on any activity that is run by a Victorian Public School, a Activity & Excursions form and Risk Register Template must be filled out and sent to the Department of Education.

//Bushwalking//: Bushwalking is a activity that can be run at any time of the year in any location. For running it in the Bogong High Plains you need a minimum Staff to Student Ratio (from the DE&T guidelines) 1:6 whilst out in the bush, where at least one Staff member is from the school with each group. One staff member should have a minimum of a 10-day Wilderness First Aid Qualification and knowledge of the region/area that they are walking in. A staff member should also have sound navigational skils that can be used in any weather conditions and should also carry either a mobile phone, or if they are going out of reception, a satelite phone. Thankfully, Bushwalking requires little to no equipment other than a personal ruck-sack, food, water, shelter and stove.
 * __Bogong High Plains (Overnight Trip)__**

//Cross-Country Skiing (Ski Touring):// Cross-Country Skiing (or otherwise known as Ski Touring) on the High Plains is a great activity that introduces students to the conflicts of interests between skiiers and conservationalists. Unfortunately, Australian snow seasons vary each year and are unpredictable, so prior plannig also needs to take into account a back-up activity. Again, the staff-student ration is in the below table with a minimum of a single teacher being from the school with each group (DE&T Guidelines). Teachers will require a basic knowledge of cross-country skiing to either get around surfficiantly and/or to teach students. 3 4 || Up to 16 17 - 24 25 - 32 || 3 4 || Up to 12 13-18 19-24 || [] Equipment can be hired through multiple hire companys in Bright, Mt Buller or at Falls Creek. Unfortunately equipment hire can be expensive but sometimes the company's will provide with school group discounts.
 * ~ Activity ||~ Staff numbers ||~ Student numbers ||
 * Cross-country skiing (day) || 2
 * Cross-country skiing (overnight) || 2

‘The activities should enable students to develop personal critiques of human – nature relationships’ (Learner, 2005). The experiences framed by teachers on field trips should encourage exploration and observations of the environment to allow the students to learn first hand the outcomes of the experience. Activities: - Walk though the environment, make observations of landscape, flora and fauna. - Run an Initiative activity to build student self-efficacy. - Facilitate observations and exploration of the environment. - Allow students to observe the affects that humans have had on this environment. - Reflect on research questions from class. ‘The activities should enable students to develop personal critiques of human – nature relationships’ (Learner, 2005). The experiences framed by teachers on field trips should encourage exploration and observations of the environment to allow the students to learn first hand the outcomes of the experience. Activities: - Walk though the environment, make observations of landscape, flora and fauna. - Run an Initiative activity to build student self-efficacy. - Facilitate observations and exploration of the environment. - Allow students to observe the affects that humans have had on this environment. - Reflect on research questions from class.
 * __ The Greater Bendigo National Park (day trip) __**
 * __ Rosalind Park (short field trip) __**

Suggestion: The Rosalind Park Brochure, as referenced for class activity no.3, has some suggestions for possible walking / observation routes the class could take.