Outdoor Education

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Outdoor Education

Outings and field trips from a strong part of the curriculum and offer valuable learning experiences away from the classroom. Annual educational camps provide opportunities for participation, teamwork, friendship and self-discovery, in addition to exploring ecological issues and developing leadership qualities.

Oakhill runs three significant camps at the College level – one at the end of Term 1 in Grade 8, one at the end of Term 1 in Grade 9 and one at the end of the Grade 11 year. The Odyssey, a 21-day adventure in Grade 10, takes place in Term 1 as a highlight of the College outdoor learning experience, which is why no camp as such is offered in Grade 10.

Each camp has a very specific purpose and desired outcome but is also designed to fit into the bigger picture of holistic education at Oakhill.

This camp takes place at the end of Term 1 and is a 3-day-2-night experience. The purpose of the camp is to gauge the degree to which the grade has assimilated successfully into the College. In this sense the camp attempts to answer the question; “where do we stand as a grade after the first term?” The grade is challenged about how they define Oakhill and their place in the College, and are asked about their vision for the school. Apart from ‘the serious business’, we also wish to see the camp as a reward for what has hopefully been a successful first term at the College, hence the incorporation of a strong dose of fun.

The Grade 9 camp takes place during the final few days of Term 1. Oakhill has made use of the Ingwe Forest Adventures in The Crags outside Plettenberg Bay for the past few years. The camp takes place over three days and two nights, and includes a hike, kayaking and a number of other activities.

The main purpose of the camp is to give students some exposure to skills they will need on Odyssey in Grade 10, while at the same time facilitating group bonding activities. It is an opportunity for the grade to socialise in a setting away from school and from the usual academic expectations.

Odyssey is an annual Oakhill tradition where pupils spend 21 days in the outdoors, carrying everything they need in their backpacks, including tent, sleeping bag, food and essentials. They head off on foot with a map, directions and the Oakhill flag in hand. Their route leads them through the magnificent natural environment of the Garden Route and Langkloof, through forests, over mountains, across semi-desert and along lakes, rivers and the breathtaking Southern Cape coastline … They cover around 400km on foot, bicycle and kayak and arrive back at school 21 days later to hoist the Oakhill flag. What happens between taking down the flag on Day 1 and hoisting it again on Day 21 is a rite of passage that sets Oakhill and its pupils apart from ordinary schooling. Read more…

The Grade 11 camp takes place at the end of the November exams, during the first week of December. Students are transported to the TBi campsite, approximately 30 minutes outside Oudtshoorn in the direction of the Cango Caves.

The three-day programme is organised and facilitated by TBi, or Team Building Institute, a team of professionals who mostly work with corporate clients. The camp has a number of outcomes, which include team building, leadership, problem-solving, self-awareness, strategic thinking, and much more.

The camp also offers the opportunity for students to try their hand at preparing potjiekos, swimming, hiking, extreme caving, high ropes, kayaking, and enough free time to socialise and enjoy the serenity of the Klein Karoo. Staff members are always at hand to ensure safety and to provide support where needed.

The ultimate goal of the camp is to prepare the students for their final year of schooling at Oakhill and for the responsibilities and duties that are part and parcel of the Grade 12 year. Students are made aware of how others might think and operate differently to themselves, and are given the necessary tools to be effective leaders.