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Intro

The 4th R resource package aims to provide guidance for educators choosing the departments recreation camps programs.

The quality recreation camp experience is more than just another excursion. It can assist your students to develop important life skills that can be utilised in the classroom environment, including:

  • Independence, accepting responsibility and leadership
  • Cooperation and teamwork
  • Problem solving and decision making
  • Dealing with challenges and adversity
  • Building self-confidence

Entry-level programs are an ideal introduction to a range of adventure recreation activities and a stepping stone to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Importance of physical activity

The importance of children being physically active has been reinforced by research commissioned by the department and collated by the University of Western Australia1. The report indicates a strong association between increased physical activity and improved educational outcomes for our children.

Every student should be given the opportunity to partake in activities in an outdoor environment. However, having been a teacher myself, I acknowledge the fact that it is becoming increasingly difficult for educators to provide students with opportunities in the outdoors.

Loss of time inside the classroom; schools requiring a stronger basis for supporting excursions due to budgetary constraints; and risk management issues are some of the contributing factors.

Thankfully, committed educators like you recognise the value of the camp experience and are prepared to go the extra yard to organise an offsite excursion for your students. I want you to know that our department recognises your commitment and has developed this resource to make organising your camp easier.

Used in conjunction with our network of four metropolitan recreation camps, through which we provide quality, affordable outdoor recreation opportunities for the Western Australian community, this resource will aid you in preparing, booking, organising and conducting your camp excursion.

1 Martin, Karen (2010) Brain boost: Sport and Physical Activity Enhance Children’s Learning: Perth, Western Australia (Western Australian Government).

How to use this resource

We provide support for teachers coming on camp and the 4th R resource package provides guidance in choosing programs. Program resource sheets assist in choosing from the diverse range of programs we offer. Each sheet provides links between our programs and the Western Australian Curriculum Framework.

What we offer

We provide safe and supportive environments that promote:

  • physical activity
  • positive outdoor recreation experiences
  • interaction with the natural environment
  • experiential learning opportunities
  • a range of recreational programs
  • communal living environments ranging from tents to dormitory-style accommodation

The outdoor camp experience

School camp is more than just another excursion; it is an experience that creates memories to last a lifetime. Communal living environments away from home, interactions with the natural environment and various outdoor recreational programs assist students with:

  • Gaining independence, accepting responsibility and leadership
  • Developing communication and active listening skills
  • Learning cooperation and teamwork
  • Building trust and respect
  • Problem solving and decision making
  • Learning how to deal with challenges and adversity
  • Building self-confidence
  • Providing a vehicle for responsible risk taking
  • Creating long-lasting friendships

Not only do our programs provide opportunities for learning, regardless of age, but whenever people enter an unfamiliar environment they get the opportunity to participate in new experiences that result in a range of positive outcomes being achieved. For example, Year 5 students on a two-night overnight camp will have to pack and unpack their own bag, make their own bed, organise their belongings and fulfil group responsibilities such as preparing the dining room or keeping their dorm clean. These skill sets are generally overlooked, however, they are important in a student’s progress towards becoming independent in their daily lives.

Programs - Primary

During our programs, all students are encouraged to do their best and respect the experiences of others (Values of Australian Schooling).

The programs available at our camps are listed below. The summary table outlines the minimum age requirements and links to the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum. For a more detail elaboration of the key concepts develop within the programs, please click on the program titles below.

Land programs

 
Minimum school year for land programs
ProgramBickley
Ern Halliday
Pt WalterWoodman PtCamp Quaranup
Archery Years 5+Years 4+
Years 4+
Years 5+
Caving
Years 5+
   
Coastal/River
Bike Ride
 Years 5+
Year 6+  
Escape from
Quarantine
   Years 5+
 
Geocaching   
Years 5+
Historical
Night Tour
 
 Years 5+
Years 5+
Orienteering/
Rogaining
Years 4+
Years 3+
Years 4+Years 5+
Years 5+
Search and
Rescue
Years 4+
Years 5+
 Years 5+
 
Team
Building
Years 1+
Years 3+
Years 4+Years 4+
Years 4+
Team Extreme  Year 7+   

Years 5+
Years 5+
Land programs
ProgramBeing healthy, safe and activeCommunicating and interacting for health and wellbeing Yes
Contributing to healthy and active communities Moving our body Understanding movement Learning through movementHistorical skills and understanding
Archery YesYes No Yes Yes Yes
 
Caving Yes
 Yes
  Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 
Coastal/River
Bike Ride
 Yes
 Yes
  Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 
Escape from 
Quarantine
 Yes
 Yes
  Yes
 Yes
 
 
 Geocaching  Yes
     
Historical 
Night Tour
  Yes
     Yes
Orienteering/ 
Rogaining
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
  Yes
 
Search and 
Rescue
Yes
 
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
  Yes
 
 Team
Building
 Yes
 Yes
     
 Team
Extreme
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 

Rope programs

Minimum school year for rope programs
ProgramBickley
Ern Halliday
Pt WalterWoodman PtCamp Quaranup
Abseiling     Years 6+Years 7+Years 7+

Big Swing
Years 5+
   
Crate ClimbYears 5+Years 6+
Year 6+  
Flying FoxYears 3+Years 4+Years 4+Years 6+
 
Rock ClimbingYears 5+Years 5+Years 6+Years 6+
Vertical Ascent/ChallengeYears 5+Years 5+Years 6+Years 6+

Team Extreme Year 7+   
Rope programs
ProgramBeing healthy, safe and activeCommunicating and interacting for health and wellbeing
Contributing to healthy and active communitiesMoving our bodyUnderstanding movementLearning through movement
Abseiling     YesYesYesYesYesYes
Big SwingYes
Yes
YesYes
Yes
Yes
Crate Climb
Yes
Yes
YesYes
Yes
Yes
Flying FoxYes
Yes
YesYes
YesYes
Low RopesYesYes
YesYes
Yes
Yes
Rock ClimbingYesYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Vertical Ascent/ ChallengeYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

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Page reviewed 03 September 2024