Our Philosophy
Our Outdoor Education programs are grounded in the belief that if people come to value challenge in their lives (and see it as an opportunity to learn, develop and grow instead of seeing it as a burden or barrier), this will influence their attitudes and behaviour. Through challenge, people question their pre-set limitations and self-perceptions and grow in confidence, resilience and optimism.
Through this journey, participants become more likely to experience joy and general satisfaction with who they are. They become more caring and considerate individuals so that the future of their families, communities, country and planet becomes brighter.
WE ARE FOCUSED ON ACTION, REFLECTION AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
1. Learning through doing
Kolb’s Experential Learning Cycle creates the foundation for the our Outdoor Education programs. Our expedition style adventures demand significant input and engagement from the participant and provide plenty of opportunities to highlight learning and create moments for revision.
Our Outdoor Education instructors assist the participant with developing plans that move them towards their goal while linking their learning back to their lives.
2. Self-awareness and self-management
Self-awareness and self-management are two of four key areas of emotional intelligence, according to Daniel Goleman (1995). Through outdoor education activities at Camp Kokoda and Kokoda Park, our instructors can influence the development of students’ emotional intelligence, which inevitably leads to a more successful, happy and healthy life (Hayashi, 2006).
Our Outdoor Education programs create opportunities for participants to explore personal development through Group Initiative Tasks (GITs) and debriefs, resulting in enhanced learning and insight.
Other Outcomes
CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS DEVELOPING INDEPENDENCE, SELF-RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY MINDEDNESS.
3. Group development
Relationship development and relationship maintenance are the final two of the four key areas of emotional intelligence (Daniel Goleman, 1995) that our Outdoor Education programs focus on. Our programs enhance:
4. Community Mindedness
Our Outdoor Education programs foster cooperation and community mindedness. From the start, the group sits down and creates group rules. These work as a guide for working together, supporting and respecting each other, ensuring safety and making sure that everyone is doing their fair share of the work. Individuals learn how to operate within group challenge activities as well as day to day tasks including cooking, cleaning, hiking, setting up camp and looking after the camp fire.
These aspects of our Outdoor Education programs programs provide wonderful opportunities for participants to explore how well they work together. The group quickly start working as one and it demands a contribution from everyone. Instructors utilise challenging situations to stimulate discussion and insight into what it means to be a good family and community member.
5. Connection with nature
Camp Kokoda lies in the Scenic Rim on the shores of Maroon Dam. It is a semi-wilderness property that includes a number of sensitive eco-environments.
Tucked away in the Beautiful Lockyer Valley, Kokoda Park is nestled away on 160 acres at the foothills of Mount Beau Brummell.
As an outdoor education service provider, we have a responsibility to show the generations of tomorrow how to appropriately interact with nature. Our instructors role model appropriate camping behaviour – heightening the sensitivity of these environments and the need to reduce our collective environmental footprint.
We also recognise that with the prevalence of technology, moments to reconnect with nature are limited. At both Camp Kokoda and Kokoda Park we create positive nature experiences, thus encouraging participants to become the environmental advocates of the future.
