Outdoor Education & Adventure
Woodridge College strives to maintain and expand upon the excellent programme of outdoor education (OE) and adventure sport offered at Woodridge Preparatory School. Compulsory outdoor activities remain a unique component of the educational philosophy of the College, with a variety of mental and physical challenges allowing our students to broaden their experience and promote resourcefulness, teamwork and leadership.
The aims of the Outdoor Education programme are:
- to expose students to a variety of activities
- to nurture an appreciation of our natural environment
- to allow students an opportunity to overcome personal fears
- to develop self-discipline, responsibility and qualities of leadership
The OE programme is made up of three basic components:
i. compulsory component – includes Grade camps, assault and ropes course, canoeing, climbing and the annual
Inter-House OE Day
ii. voluntary hikes, camps and expeditions – offered at various levels of 
expertise throughout the year. These vary from simple day trips, one and two night camps, survivor-type scenarios to full-blown expeditions
iii. voluntary clubs – such as surf lifesaving, canoeing, climbing, surfing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling, horse riding, mountain biking, archery, adventure racing, sport climbing, kloofing, and sailing etc.
As with all lessons in life, much will depend on attitude. With so many activities on offer, the onus lies on the individual to volunteer and become involved. As the College academic, sports and cultural programmes are full and demanding, many OE activities are offered on a voluntary basis to allow students to choose those which suit their interests, ability and time constraints.
During their time at the College, most students should be exposed to most of the following:
Survival skills; orienteering; cooking
Initiative tests; rock & wall climbing; abseiling
Assault course; canoeing; pacing
Mountain biking; hiking; camping
Adventure racing; trail running
