Outdoor & Environmental Studies

Course Summary

Do you like interacting with the natural environment? Are you adventurous? Studying Outdoor and Environmental Studies will enable you to make critically informed comments on questions of environmental sustainability, as well as, you’ll understand the importance of environmental health, particularly in local contexts. Through both passive and active outdoor activities, you will develop experiential knowledge of outdoor environments. This is further enhanced through the complex interplay between outdoor environment and humans including environmental history, ecology and the social studies of human relationships with nature.

Unit 1: Examines how humans connect with outdoor environments and why these connections are important. Throughout the unit we learn about our place within outdoor environments and learn safe and sustainable participation in outdoor experiences.

Unit 2: Focuses on the different ways to understand outdoor environments and the impact of humans on outdoor environments. We also learn about planning trips and learning about the weather and minimal impact strategies.

Unit 3: Focuses on the ecological, historical and social contexts of relationships between humans and outdoor environments in Australia. Including the changes over time, from historical time periods to modern day contexts.

Unit 4: Explores the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. Observing and assessing the health of outdoor environments and considering the importance of this health for the future of Australian outdoor environments and the Australian population.

Students have the opportunity to attend one (3-4 day) outdoor trip / experience each term, which directly links to the Unit 1-4 coursework and requirements. These trips include kayaking, hiking, abseiling, caving, skiing, canoeing, surfing, canyoning, rock climbing and white water rafting.

VCE: Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 & 4 sequence available

Learning Activities & Assessment

Explore some of the ways in which people understand and relate to nature through experiences of the outdoor environment
Explore what motivates individuals towards outdoor environments and experiences, how people interact with the outdoor environment
Develop adventure skills in rock climbing, snow camping, skiing and boarding, bushwalking, horse riding or surfing including termly overnight/s outdoor activities
Investigate the ecological, historical and social effects of people on the Australian environment
Explore the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments

FAQ’s & Myth Busters

Will I miss too much school if I study Outdoor & Environmental Studies?

OED trips are only once a term for 3 to 4 days duration. In fact, the student who received the third highest ATAR score for 2019 did all the OED trips (as well as being involved in many of the sports teams).

Outdoor & Environmental Studies is too expensive

Whilst some trips do cost up to $300 there are always lower-cost options and payment plans available. Even the more expensive trips do offer excellent value for money. For example, the four-day surfing trip offered to Unit 2 students includes three surfing sessions, one surf kayak session, all gear and wetsuits, professional instruction, meals, accommodation and transport – all for approx. $300.

Do I need a lot of expensive gear to do outdoor & Environment Studies?

At the College, we have a large range of outdoor adventure gear that can be borrowed for adventure trips. You only have to have a good sleeping bag and we recommend that you buy thermals for the colder months’ activities.