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7 Ways Outdoor Education Enhances Student Wellbeing

At Glenhaven Park Camps, we believe in the transformative power of outdoor education. While traditional classroom learning is essential, venturing outdoors provides a unique and enriching environment that fosters a wide range of benefits for students’ well-being. Here, we explore seven key ways outdoor education programs contribute to a student’s physical, mental, emotional, and social development:

1. Building Strong Bodies:

Outdoor adventures naturally encourage physical activity. Hiking, camping, and sports all promote fitness, improve cardiovascular health, and develop important motor skills like coordination and balance.

2. Boosting Mental Clarity:

Nature provides a powerful antidote to stress. Studies show that spending time outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels and improve mental clarity. Exposure to fresh air and sunlight can also enhance mood and cognitive function.

3. Fostering Emotional Growth:

Connecting with nature can have a profound impact on emotional well-being. Outdoor education programs provide opportunities for students to develop emotional regulation skills, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and experience increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence. Overcoming challenges in a natural setting can be a powerful way to build self-esteem.

4. Strengthening Social Bonds:

Teamwork is essential for success in most outdoor activities. Experiences like camping trips and group challenges provide valuable opportunities for students to develop essential social skills like cooperation, communication, and collaboration. These shared experiences can also strengthen relationships with peers and mentors, fostering a sense of community.

5. Sharpening Focus and Attention:

A change of scenery can do wonders for concentration. Outdoor education often involves engaging activities that take students out of the traditional classroom environment. This can help them develop improved focus, attention span, and overall cognitive abilities.

6. Cultivating Environmental Stewardship:

Outdoor classrooms provide the perfect setting for students to learn about ecosystems, conservation practices, and sustainability. By immersing themselves in nature, students develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility for its protection.

7. Promoting Mindfulness and Relaxation:

The natural world offers a calming and restorative environment. Being surrounded by nature encourages mindfulness and relaxation, promoting mental well-being and reducing feelings of anxiety.

Glenhaven Park Camps offers a variety of outdoor education programs designed to nurture the whole student. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your students thrive in a natural setting!

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Ayliffes Bridge Rd Stockport SA 5410 which is 74kms north of Adelaide CBD and approx. 20 minutes’ drive from Gawler.

*Please note for buses driving to Glenhaven Park that Ayliffe’s Bridge over the Light River is a 10 tonne weight limit so you might need to use an alternative route*

No, unfortunately we’re not on any bus routes you’ll need to drive or organise your own bus for your group to come to camp.

We’re available for group bookings only with different minimum numbers for accommodation and a single day of activities. Please contact us with your requirements and we’ll do our best to accommodate your camp experience needs.

There’s a Golf course just up the road and the Stockport Observatory is only 3 kms away from the campsite, there’s links to both of these on the Facilities webpage.

Glenhaven Park is only a ½ hours’ drive to the Clare Valley & Barossa Valley Winery Regions, see the Tourism SA website HERE for more information on the huge range of attractions available nearby.

Glenhaven Park Campsite & Adventures

Glenhaven Park Camp Site is a residential and school camp site located in a peaceful, picturesque valley at Stockport SA, 20 minutes north of Gawler. Perfect for school camps and group bookings.

We can accommodate 86 people in our 7 cabins which are fully air-conditioned with a toilet & bathroom and separated leader’s quarters, if your group is larger, the overflow can be accommodated in tents. Overall we can accommodate up to 150 people but we are on 16 acres so by prior arrangement any numbers may be possible.

Our fully equipped kitchen provides highly nutritious quality meals; fresh fruit and drinks are available at all times and are included in the standard catered charges. Special diets can be catered for with prior notice, e.g. vegetarian, diabetic etc. Our dining area has facilities for seating 100 people in air-conditioned comfort.

Camp Bookings

Camp bookings can be for just one day of camp activities or overnight campsite stays for as many nights as you want.
Learn More Here

Reception to Year 3 Camps

Camp facilities cabins are fully air-conditioned and heated with a toilet and bathroom
Learn More Here

Year 4 & Up Camps

We can accommodate 86 people in our 7 cabin campsite. (One cabin wheelchair accessible)
Learn More Here

Adult & Group Camps

Larger groups the overflow are accommodated in tents. Seating for meals, 100 per sitting in air-conditioned comfort.
Learn More Here

Glenhaven Park Adventure Activities

All of our activities are based on experiential learning that encourages individuals to participate in a group environment and work to a level of challenge which stretches them but is not threatening. Safety is our priority so all our activities are conducted by qualified and experienced staff members using industry approved techniques; we provide all necessary safety equipment which are professionally maintained.

High Ropes Course

Our high ropes course is a series of cables, platforms, ropes, and tires. The platforms are 10 metres above the ground.

Giant Swing

The Giant Swing is always a favourite because it’s extremely exhilarating and fun! After being harnessed in by our instructor, the rest of the group pull the participant to the top of the swing (or as high as they want to go).

Low Ropes Course

Using cables, ropes and wooden beams strung among poles, teams explore risk taking, leadership and communication. The low ropes course adventure also highlights problem-solving, coaching and collaboration.

Giants Ladder

A great team relationship activity. Done in pairs, the giant’s ladder is a powerful tool. Imagine a ladder eight feet wide and 10 metres high with logs for rungs.

Initiatives

Initiatives are best described as team building challenges that focus more on planning, problem solving, and creative thinking, than on physical ability.

Leap of Faith

Participants must muster all their confidence and courage to climb to the top of our 10 metre pamper pole, before they put their faith in themselves to jump and reach to catch the mid-air suspended trapeze.

Tower Challenge

Utilising crates the team must help the participant create a tower within a time frame that challenges their ability to problem solve and work co-operatively for the best achievable outcome.

Orienteering

Orienteering is a sport wherein participants must navigate from one point to another using a map. Participants develop strategies to navigate from one site to another.

Bush Skills

An activity designed to show the advantages of team work as participants work in groups to gather food, water, shelter and fire to aid the group survival.

Archery

Archery helps improve concentration, boosts confidence, and self-image. It’s a sport that’s fun, but also allows participants of any age or skill level to compete against others or challenge themselves individually.

Recycling

Encouraging sustainability we tell the story of what to recycle and where recycled goods go, with a game and a tour of our composting area where the good bugs grow!

Warm up games

Are activities which provide an opportunity for group members to have fun; they lead to lots of interaction between each other and focus on effort rather than success/failure.

Aboriginal Dreaming

Starting with a Kaurna Dreaming story we explore the natural world through paint and then write a story using traditional Aboriginal imagery.

Planets

We explore the universe and our relation to it, art & craft activities including the making of a giant sun that will be the centrepiece of the camp dining room for the duration of the camp (this activity is on day 1 of camp).

FAQ's

Most frequently asked questions for Glenhaven Park Campsite

Ayliffes Bridge Rd Stockport SA 5410 which is 74kms north of Adelaide CBD and approx. 20 minutes’ drive from Gawler.

*Please note for buses driving to Glenhaven Park that Ayliffe’s Bridge over the Light River is a 10 tonne weight limit so you might need to use an alternative route*

No, unfortunately we’re not on any bus routes you’ll need to drive or organise your own bus for your group to come to camp.

We’re available for group bookings only with different minimum numbers for accommodation and a single day of activities. Please contact us with your requirements and we’ll do our best to accommodate your camp experience needs.

No, you can do your own thing at Glenhaven Park, we have a country oval, large indoor basketball shed, the Dining Room has a projector & screen with DVD & multi-media input. You just won’t be able to access our specialised activities as these are instructed by our fully qualified Outdoor Educators and are out of bounds to anyone not participating in our activities.

You can contact us directly by phone on 08 8528 2250, email us directly at glenhavenpark1@bigpond.com , fill in the email form on the Booking page. We will confirm the details of bookings with you. It doesn’t matter how you contact us we will respond to your request as soon as possible.

We’ll send you an invoice for the deposit once we’ve received the completed Booking & Hire Agreement form back from you, on the invoice is our bank details or you can send us a cheque.

No, you’ll have to bring a pillow and a sleeping bag (or linen & blankets if preferred) for each camper.

Glenhaven Park Camp Quick Guide On what to Pack

Please see the camp guidelines (PDF) available on the Camp Bookings webpage for information on what to bring to camp.

There’s a Golf course just up the road and the Stockport Observatory is only 3 kms away from the campsite, there’s links to both of these on the Facilities webpage.

Glenhaven Park is only a ½ hours’ drive to the Clare Valley & Barossa Valley Winery Regions, see the Tourism SA website HERE for more information on the huge range of attractions available nearby.

Our privacy Policy is available HERE

Westbourne Park Primary School
Westbourne Park Primary SchoolJo Brown - Year 5 Teacher
Students, staff and teachers enjoyed their stay and watching kids step outside their comfort zone.
Kingston-On-Murray Primary School
Kingston-On-Murray Primary SchoolNatalie Coote - Principal
Kids especially loved the activities and the grounds. Food was also a big hit with everyone.
Gulfview Heights Primary School
Gulfview Heights Primary SchoolBen Foley - Year 5 Teacher
Thank you so much, we all had a brilliant time and staff were so supportive and encouraging to all kids. Special thanks to Jade for amazing food and being accommodating to fussy eaters!

Testimonials

We get such a kick out of hearing how much people have loved our camps and activities, as much as we have had fun having them here. Thank you everyone.

Where Great Camps Happen!

Contact Us Now For Available bookings

Book a school camp, group camp/retreat for adults or children. 

We can also accommodate for those special occasions, Weddings, Birthdays, or maybe a family reunion.

Phone : 0885 282 250

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