EcoOutings is a partnership project between North Coast Settlement Services, NPWS and the Centre for Ecological Learning.
Orienteering
Introduction to the basics of navigation, making their way through an orienteering course
Bushwalks with young men from refugee backgrounds
EcoOutings is a partnership project between North Coast Settlement Services, NPWS and the Centre for Ecological Learning.
“I now know more about the area I live in and, when my parents buy a car, I will be able to show them places to go as a family””
It was identified that some young men from refugee backgrounds were becoming unengaged from high schools in Coffs Harbour. Discussion between teachers and ESL Coordinator at Coffs Harbour High School, established the concept of Eco Outings, a project aimed at engaging young boys between the ages of 13 and 20 to become self-reliant and develop a better sense of identity and belonging, that could assist them to identify and reflect on the importance of engaging in their education.
Whilst the project would be most beneficial to those boys who were already unengaged from school, to maximise the potential of the project’s success by enhancing participation likelihood, it was identified that the project would initially be offered to young boys between 13-20 who were at risk of becoming unengaged in education as a result of their barriers.
Funded by the North Coast Settlement Services, the project would be offered on weekends, it was important to identify young men who would engage in extra-curriculum activities outside school hours.
In order to maximise the exposure of the project to boys from different Coffs Harbour Schools, it was decided to offer the initial opportunity to boys from Coffs Harbour High School and Orara High School. ESL teachers from both schools offered the opportunity to the boys who they believed were most suitable and who would benefit from the project.
Project Objectives:
“This was the best day of my life”
“It was great to see what the Australian bush was like”
“I didn’t know how beautiful the country was close to Coffs Harbour”
“It was great learning about the aboriginal people, and especially how they used to make fires”
“I enjoyed challenging myself to do the walks”
Walk 1 – Red Cedar Falls Loop
Walk 2 – Tuckers Rock to Bundagen Headland – Bongil Bongil National Park
Walk 3 – Killingoondie Plains Walk
Walk 4 – Watergum Falls Fig Tree Hike
Walk 5 – Urunga Beach Walk to Valla
Introduction to the basics of navigation, making their way through an orienteering course
Emphasising teamwork, communication, problem solving and fun
Gaining an appreciation of the local landscape and ecology
Fire making from hand drill, creating rope/cordage, shelter building principles, bird language
Blindfolded exercises that teach communication and problem solving
First aid and decision making in backcountry emergency situations
P: 0423 362 844
E: info (AT) cel.org.au
A: PO Box 528, Bellingen NSW 2454