Adventures in the great outdoors - Education Matters Magazine
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Adventures in the great outdoors

There is no doubt that education extends beyond the school grounds and that students need to push their boundaries, step outside their comfort zones and be challenged. As PGL Adventure Camps explains, school camps offer plenty of opportunities to do all of this.

According to PGL, it is important for students to be able to develop mentally and physically, acquire new skills and learn to deal with situations outside their usual range of experience.

Established in 1957, PGL (named after its founder Peter Gordon Lawrence) offers residential adventure camps for school children and young people at three sites in Australia: two in Victoria (Camp Rumbug, South Gippsland and Campaspe Downs, Kyneton) and one in Queensland (Kindilan, Redland Bay near Brisbane).

The PGL philosophy is founded on the idea that outdoor adventure activities are an effective pathway to improved confidence, enthusiasm for learning and positive attitudes which translate into more motivated, better achieving individuals.

PGL offers a range of outdoor adventure-based programs suitable for primary and secondary schools and for small numbers of students up to whole year groups. Its programs include:

Activity Camp
There are four one-and-a-half-hour activity sessions each day, to challenge, motivate and inspire – on land, water and in the air. Students enjoy activities such as climbing, abseiling, canoeing, raft building and flying fox. All activities are designed to challenge, develop new skills and motivate each individual.

Study Skills Retreat
This new course gives students the opportunity to spend time away from the school environment to learn, reflect and connect with senior teachers and peers, while developing important skills for study. It’s a specialised program designed to teach resilience, perseverance and, importantly, when to ask for help. PGL Study Skills Retreat helps keep students motivated, focussed and engaged, with a unique combination of adventure activities and teacher-led study time.

Camp Out Experience
In the supported setting of PGL camps, students immerse themselves in learning about the natural Australian bush environment, camping in the great outdoors, in PGL’s own bushland with the help of experienced PGL leaders. It’s a 24-hour outdoor experience which introduces camping skills (including cooking) and outdoor living. This is a back-to-nature experience to help develop mindfulness, resilience and leadership skills, in a typical bush setting.

Every PGL adventure camp has a dedicated, trained team of activity instructors and staff who provide support and encouragement so that everyone gets the most out of their stay.

Accommodation and facilities
All PGL adventure camps include accommodation, adventure activities, evening entertainment and support from the PGL camp team. Free places
for teachers and accompanying adults are given in the ratio of one to every 10 students. Accommodation is provided in cabins, platform tents, roundhouse lodges and safari huts, depending on the camp.

Buyer’s Guide
PGL Adventure Camps
Ph: 1300 859 895
Email: info@pgladventurecamps.com.au

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