PaySmart
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreImportant shifts in education that will improve the well-being and development of Australian children are among a range of issues to be considered at the 21st National Outdoor Education Conference next week.
Being held in the NSW Blue Mountains from 26th to 29th September, the three-day conference will see 250 outdoor educators bring knowledge, skills, research and experience to the table to discuss how more of our community can benefit from outdoor education.
Introducing the event, Lori Modde, host of the National Outdoor Education Conference, explains “starting out as CEO of Outdoors New South Wales and ACT in 2020, I was astounded to learn how many schools do not value or embed outdoor education in their methods.
“The Outdoor Education providers have the antidote for the challenges associated with mental health, resilience and other things life throws you and thanks to the challenges of the last few years the time is now for schools to listen to the research.”
Modde points to how King Charles III spent 2 terms at Timbertop, Geelong Grammar School’s campus, where the value of outdoor education has been embedded in their practices for over 60 years.
However, with practices often exclusive to private education, the outdoor education sector is calling on the states and territories to embed outdoor education into the government schools so that it’s not just the privileged that benefit.
Conference co-convenor Professor Tonia Gray of Western Sydney University notes “outdoor learning is not new but newly important.
“The evidence-based research has clearly shown the physical, psycho-social, educational, and emotional benefits. As an urgent priority, we call on our federal and state governments to embed Outdoor Education into the government schools, now.”
The Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance in 2018 found that youth anxiety and mental health challenges can be improved through participating in outdoor programs. Students improved confidence, self-efficacy and increased belief to achieve their goals after the participation in outdoor programs.
Data and findings produced by this alliance was endorsed by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Modde emphasises that that it is not just secondary or primary school children that benefit , pointing to Professor Pasi Sahlberg, who will be at the conference presenting two sessions.
Professor Sahlberg will be presenting on ‘Nature Play & Outdoor Learning’ and a keynote address where he will bring his immense experience of being an educator, scholar, thought leader and author to the discussions on ways to improve our education system.
Modde adds “and here is a hint … it involves outdoor education”, going on to say “with the movement towards educational improvement it’s now the time to start embedding outdoor education in every school, for every student in the country.
“Who doesn’t want more of our kids with better mental health, skills for life and more resilience when facing life’s challenges?”
Click here for more information on the National Outdoor Education Conference next week in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.
12th August 2022 - Outdoor fitness equipment helps Coburg seniors stay active
2nd August 2022 - Amazfit outdoor GPS smartwatch offers customisation of training template for 11 different sports
30th June 2022 - 25 New Zealand organisations secure Outdoor Activity funding
28th June 2022 - National Outdoor Education Conference returns in 2022 with opportunities to connect and reset
15th June 2022 - New ACT Government grants to foster outdoor nature play
31st May 2022 - New Liability Insurance package launched for outdoor adventure, recreation and tourism activities
30th May 2022 - $18 million to boost participation in NSW outdoor recreation
10th May 2022 - Australian Outdoor Industry releases four-point plan in advance of Federal election
17th February 2022 - Walltopia spotlights rise in popularity of children’s climbing zones
13th November 2021 - Adaptive Climbing Victoria deploys Vicsport’s Innovation Lab to entice more inclusivity at climbing gyms
17th August 2021 - Adventure Tourism Victoria says tourism is dead
19th August 2020 - ISO advises of update to adventure tourism standards
12th June 2020 - Insurance refusals impacting adventure tourism operators
17th March 2020 - New national outdoor standards will support Queensland’s adventure tourism sector
27th September 2019 - Adventure Travel Trade Association offers ‘Neutral Together’ bulk carbon offset purchase to members
8th November 2017 - New research shows adventure travellers’ relationship with risk
5th March 2010 - Queensland outdoor adventure standards launched
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Click here to view our subscription options.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read morePlayrope Aqua-Fun, are the Australian & New Zealand exclusive distributors for Vortex Aquatic Structures International, the world leader in aquatic playgrounds and urban water landscapes.…
read moreTPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…
read moreGladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…
read moreSeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…
read moreSince 1989 Elite Pool Covers have designed and manufactured an extensive range of high quality affordable manual,semi-automatic and fully-automatic pool cover systems for the harsh Australian…
read moreHumanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…
read moreSwitch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!