Experiential Learning
Outdoor Education at
The Hamilton and Alexandra College
Going on camp and engaging in outdoor activities have long been a part of life at The Hamilton and Alexandra College. It is only in recent years, however, that educators have come to more fully understand the benefits of outdoor and experiential education. They provide a physical and mental challenge, but are also increasingly seen and used for their benefits in social cohesion amongst a group of young people, and as a way of reconnecting with oneself, the environment and each other, in an age of digital fabrication and distraction.
Through our experiential learning programs, students learn about themselves and their friends, and frequently discover that they are capable of more than they might have thought (and more than their parents might have believed). The Hamilton and Alexandra College’s experiential programs are designed build resilience and prepare young people for the challenges of the modern world.
Junior School
All Junior School students from Year 1 to 6 go on camp, increasing in challenge from one-night camps for students in Year 1 to three-day outdoor education camping programs for Year 5 students.
Year 5 students also complete a unique two-day, fully immersive, costumed school experience at Sovereign Hill.
Year 6 students travel to Canberra for a week, to experience the democratic and institutional capital of Australia and its many attractions.
Middle School and Senior School
Experiential programs for Middle School and Senior School are also outdoor-learning-focused, with compulsory programs from Year 7 to 9, and exciting and well-subscribed optional programs from Year 10 to 12.
Year 7s complete a four-day canoeing journey through the Glenelg National Park sleeping in tents. Year 8 students undertake a four-day hiking, skiing, snow, camping and bush skills experience on Mount Stirling, in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range.
Year 9 students complete regional, urban, and international experiences as part of the Year 9 Experience program. Year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in an 8-day Central Australian cultural immersion, visiting King’s Canyon, Alice Springs, Yulara, Uluru, and Kata Tjunta. Students complete a four-day cultural and service component living in the Lilla Indigenous community near King’s Canyon.
Year 12 students participate in a compulsory three-day retreat in a tertiary environment as a team building and goal setting program, and as a preparation for their final year. The retreat provides Year 12s with experience in a university environment, helping them start the year with confidence.
Related Pages
Co-Curricular Programs
