Outdoor Education
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 3-9 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 tests students’ 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 in Years 10-12 have the option of participating in designated expeditions during their holiday breaks.
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.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
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 including 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.