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The Outdoor School, Bogong Campus

Mark Haebich

Teacher:  Outdoor Education studies

This 5 day winter program is undertaken as it is directly linked to Unit 2 Area of Study 1, Investigating Outdoor Environments.

Students draw on the knowledge and experience gained from this event for a range of learning and assessment activities over the course of Semester 2.

The Outdoor School, Bogong Campus, is set in a spectacular mountain environment with majestic alpine forests and a sparkling lake as a backdrop. Students attending have easy access to some of Victoria’s best alpine country – the Bogong High Plains  - for program activities. The campus has an extensive and comprehensive range of specialised equipment to support the various programs run throughout the year. 

Students were really motivated and immersed themselves in the camp - see some of our footage below!

Ben Harders

Year 10

It was helpful being in the alpine environment and getting a hands-on experience of moving through the Falls Creek area, both on cross country and downhill  ski equipment. The Bogong staff were full of knowledge that we tapped into throughout the program.

Charlie Longfield

​Year 10

It was more interesting because we were in the environment  - not just looking at pictures of it. This gave us the opportunity to look at things in more depth. My team was looking at scientific understandings of the alpine environment; we investigated the impact of variable snow-pack on the hibernation and reproduction cycles of the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum.

Hamish Bedford

​Year 10

The teaching staff as well as representatives from Parks Victoria and Falls Creek Management had detailed knowledge of the alpine areas we visited. We were able to build our knowledge from working with and questioning these experts. 

Hannah Rutherford

Year 11

Initially it was hard to pick up the skills required for skiing. I realised it was better not to compare myself to others and to concentrate on slowing down and working on the bits of coaching specific to me! The staff from Parks Victoria and Falls Creek Management that worked with us were especially helpful as their perspectives gave us an insight into more detailed ways of understanding specific environments.

Sol Laslett

Year 10

Unfortunately, I was unable to fully participate in the camp due a pre-existing ankle injury. As I was not focused on learning to ski, I was able to observe a range of other things with more attention. I investigated how people interact with alpine environments based on their experiences and their knowledge built from travelling/spending time in these places.

Jack Cumming

Year 10

First of all I learned how to ski!  We investigated the different vegetation types through the Montane, Sub Alpine and Alpine environments. My team was investigating the understandings of recreational users of Falls Creek and I was surprised by the differences in knowledge from those who downhill ski, cross country ski and those who head out on overnight ski tours.