Unit 1: Exploring outdoor experiences

This unit examines some of the ways in which humans understand and relate to nature through experiences of outdoor environments. The focus is on individuals and their personal responses to and experiences of outdoor environments.

Students are provided with the opportunity to explore the many ways in which nature is understood and perceived. Students develop a clear understanding of the range of motivations for interacting with outdoor environments and the factors that affect an individual’s access to outdoor experiences and relationships with outdoor environments.

Through outdoor experiences, students develop practical skills and knowledge to help them live sustainably in outdoor environments. Students understand the links between practical experiences and theoretical investigations, gaining insight into a variety of responses to and relationships with nature.

The key practical experience for this unit involves a five-day bushwalk and two day trips.

Unit 2: Discovering outdoor environments

This unit focuses on the characteristics of outdoor environments and different ways of understanding them, as well as the human impacts on outdoor environments.

In this unit, students study nature’s impact on humans as well as the ecological, social and economic implications of human impact on outdoor environments. Students develop a clear understanding of the impact of technologies and changing human lifestyles on outdoor environments.

Students examine a number of case studies of specific outdoor environments, including areas where there is evidence of human intervention. They develop the practical skills required to minimise human impact on outdoor environments. Students are provided with practical experiences as the basis for comparison between outdoor environments and reflection to develop theoretical knowledge about natural environments.

The key practical experience for this unit involves a five-day Alpine experience and two day trips.

Unit 3: Relationships with outdoor environments

The focus of this unit is the ecological, historical and social contexts of relationships between humans and outdoor environments in Australia. Case studies of impacts on outdoor environments are examined in the context of the changing nature of human relationships with outdoor environments in Australia.

Students consider a number of factors that influence contemporary relationships with outdoor environments. They also examine the dynamic nature of relationships between humans and their environment.

Students are involved in one or more experiences in outdoor environments, including in areas where there is evidence of human interaction. Through these practical experiences, students are provided with the basis for comparison and reflection, and opportunities to develop theoretical knowledge and skills about specific natural environments.

The key practical experience for this unit involves a five-day water-based journey and two day trips.

Unit 4: Sustainable outdoor relationships

In this unit, students explore the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. They examine the contemporary state of environments in Australia, consider the importance of healthy outdoor environments and examine the issues in relation to the capacity of outdoor environments to support the future needs of the Australian population.

Students examine the importance of developing a balance between human needs and the conservation of outdoor environments, and consider the skills needed to be environmentally responsible citizens. They investigate current agreements and environmental legislation as well as management strategies and policies for achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable environments in contemporary Australian society.

Students engage in one or more related experiences in outdoor environments. They learn and apply the practical skills and knowledge required to sustain healthy outdoor environments and evaluate the strategies and actions they employ. Through these practical experiences, students are provided with the basis for comparison and reflection, and opportunities to develop and apply theoretical knowledge about outdoor environments.

The key practical experience for this unit involves a celebration journey and two day trips.