Outdoor education at Danebank is a powerful tool that empowers young minds, challenges physical boundaries and nurtures essential life skills. In an all-girls high school setting, it holds even greater significance for the students, fostering self-confidence, resilience and leadership in young women.

From Year 8 onwards, girls are given a taste of different levels of outdoor education, preparing them to join the Duke of Edinburgh Award program from Year 9 onwards. The Duke of Edinburgh Award program has had a significant impact on our students, empowering girls to embrace challenges, find solutions and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

duke_of_ed_gold_2023.png

Encouraging Independence and Resilience

Participating in outdoor education programs allows girls to step outside their comfort zones and take on new challenges. They learn to navigate unfamiliar terrain, face adverse weather conditions and solve problems in real-world scenarios. This exposure encourages independence and resilience and teaches the importance of perseverance and self-reliance. Danebank offers these opportunities to girls in a challenge-by-choice environment from Year 8 onwards with our annual camps.

Fostering teamwork and leadership

Outdoor education experiences involve team-based activities that require effective communication, cooperation and trust-building among the participants. This presents an opportunity for young women to develop their leadership skills as they take on roles of responsibility within their teams. The Duke of Edinburgh program helps to nurture a sense of camaraderie and mutual support amongst participants.

Instilling Environmental Stewardship

Outdoor activities like camps and the Duke of Edinburgh help girls to develop a greater appreciation for the natural world and the importance of environmental conservation. Camps encourage girls to explore and connect with nature, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment. This connection can lead to long-lasting habits of more sustainable living and a commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.

Enhancing physical and mental wellbeing

Outdoor education promotes physical wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle, which is particularly important for girls in their formative teenage years. It improves physical fitness, boosts mental wellbeing and can help to reduce stress levels. Spending time outdoors can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills, both of which contribute significantly to better overall academic performance.

Cultivating cultural awareness

Our outdoor education programs allow girls to gain a deeper understanding of indigenous culture in Australia through expeditions. This experience can be transformative, fostering a broader understanding of issues facing indigenous communities, cultivating empathy and open-mindedness. 2024 will see girls choosing between Borneo or Tasmania for their Gold Duke of Ed experience.

Crushing gender stereotypes

In a girls’ school environment, outdoor education has an uninhibited opportunity to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Girls are able to push their limits and participate fully in exploring the great outdoors and all it has to offer. This empowerment spreads beyond our outdoor education program, inspiring girls to challenge societal expectations and pursue their passions fearlessly.

evening_duke_of_ed_gold_2023.png

Highlights from the Danebank 2023 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Experience:
  • The 2023 trip took place all over the Northern Territory, including Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs, the girls saw so many beautiful landmarks!
  • 12 days together in the outback were spent bonding, learning, exploring, motivating and pushing each other.
  • “The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8) was the inspiration for the girls throughout the experience.
  • Overnight hikes saw the girls persevere through the steep mountains, rainy weather and rocky paths, but they managed to remain positive.
  • Around the campfire the group shared stories about what they feel makes them who they are as they cooked their own meals in the camp oven.
Where can Danebank take you?

Our outdoor education program offers girls transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom. Girls are equipped with valuable life skills, their leadership potential is nurtured and they develop a sense of environmental stewardship. Empowered by their experiences in the great outdoors, girls emerge as confident, resilient and empathetic individuals, ready to face their future challenges with determination and grace.

Where sparks become flames. Book a tour to experience all we have on offer or contact our registrar to find out about availability.