Outdoor Education
Mulgrave offers a vibrant Outdoor Education Programme that engages students in experiential learning opportunities that make links between outdoor education and their classroom learning experiences.
We believe our students should have:
- Opportunities to develop an individual connection with nature
- Opportunities to develop an individual connection with their peers and with their teachers inside and outside of the classroom
- Outdoor experiences that are authentically connected to the areas of Academics, Athletics, the Arts, and Citizenship
- Classroom learning experiences that are enhanced by direct curriculum links to 'real life' outdoor experiences
- The choice to further their involvement in Outdoor Education beyond grade-wide experiences
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Outdoor skills that are taught in a sequential manner so students gain a well-rounded skill set that allows them to continue to pursue outdoor opportunities as part of their personal life
Grade 10 Camps
Grade 10 Fall Camp
Students have a multi-day experience at a local camp facility to kick off their Senior School journey. Advisory groups participate in activities aimed at creating cohesion and camaraderie.
Grade 10 Winter Camp
As the culminating experience in the Outdoor Education camp programme, all Grade 10 students participate in a multi-day winter camp. Students implement the skills developed through the grade-wide camp continuum in a more challenging environment, as well as being introduced to the unique aspects of winter travel and camping.
In recognition that students have a variety of levels of skill and comfort in the outdoors, our Outdoor Education team has designed three camp 'level's for winter camp ranging from overnights in cabins to building snow shelters atop mountains. Students often reflect upon this camp as being their most challenging, meaningful, and enjoyable of the grade-wide camp experiences.
Learn more in this Cypress Magazine article (page 26).
Alpine Sports
All Senior School students have the opportunity to participate in a full-day ski or snowboard lesson at Whistler Blackcomb. Students are provided with all rental equipment, day passes, and instruction. This fun, skill-building day is a wonderful way to focus on wellbeing and developing life-long memories with friends.
Student-Led Programming
Our student Adventure Council organises opportunities for their Senior School peers to explore and enjoy local environment with minimal requirements of experience, planning, and time commitment.
Spread throughout the school year, and intended to minimise conflicts with the academic calendar, these trips include backpacking, rock climbing, back country skiing, and kayaking in areas easily accessible from the school. The trips embody our belief that the mental and physical benefits of time spent in the outdoors are an integral and achievable aspect of being a well-rounded student.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a world-wide award programme that offers three award levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The four fundamental requirements at each level are: Community Service, Physical Activity, Skill Building and an Adventurous Journey. In Grades 10 and 11, students work on their Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards as options. The Adventurous Journey is organised by students, as a group. These annual expeditions are chosen, planned and executed by students with guidance from our Outdoor Education team. In Grade 11, students can also use their Adventurous Journey to fulfill their CAS collaborative project requirement.