Outdoor Education: Silver (Elective)

“The world is God’s epistle to mankind – His thoughts are flashing upon us from every direction.” Plato, 427-347 B.C.

Overview

Outdoor and Environmental Studies examines some of the ways in which humans understand and relate to nature through experiences of outdoor environments. The focus is on individuals and their personal responses to and experiences of outdoor environments. In addition to this, students will begin to investigate the different types of Outdoor Environments and the impacts we as humans have on them. Students will also be given the opportunity to complete an appropriate level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which is an internationally recognized program that provides the motivation to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. The award program has 3 levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each of these three levels is comprised of four sections covering Service, Skill, Adventurous Journey and Physical Recreation. In Outdoor Education Silver, students will complete their Silver award and develop leadership skills that they can take in all aspects of life.

Aims

• Develop leadership skills for all aspects of life
• Students should be able to describe motivations for participation in and personal responses to outdoor environments, with reference to specific outdoor experiences
• Students should be able to describe ways of knowing and experiencing outdoor environments and evaluate factors that influence outdoor experiences, with reference to specific outdoor experiences
• Understand different types of Outdoor Environments and the impacts we can have on them

SERVICE - Minimum of  6 months

SKILL - Minimum of  6 months

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY - 2 expeditions. Length: minimum of 3 days and 2 nights

PHYSICAL RECREATION - Minimum of 6 months

One of service, skill or physical recreation must be extended for a minimum total of 12 months if Bronze not completed

Time Allocation

• 4 periods a cycle

Prerequisites

• It is recommended that students have completed either Year 8 Outdoor Education or Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh before taking on this subject as they provide an introduction to basic camp-craft skills, hiking food, map reading, first aid, and care of the environment, route planning and proper use of hiking equipment.

Requirements

• Booklist items
• Levy cost

Assessments

• Campcraft Skills practical demo
• Camp Report
• Award Progress
• Leadership Course
• Investigating Outdoor Environments Presentation
• Impacts on Outhdoor Enviornments Test

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1