Outdoor Education

We’ve got a great reputation for our outdoor education and recreation programme! We love nothing better than to inspire young people to develop themselves by interacting with nature, and gaining greater understanding of and respect for the environment. We’ve got to be honest though, in this setting the spirit of adventure and discovery is not hard to catch.  

Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre creates modern, quality and safety-conscious professional programs that are tailored for you and your students. We offer a range of outdoor education programs that promote fun and relaxation, and focus on the learning of key outdoor skills, and everything in between. We also provide Cadet and Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions that further challenge and develop student skills and abilities. But most importantly, we listen to you. Tell us your desired learning outcomes and let us develop the ultimate experience for your school. Our flexibility is the key to your school’s satisfaction.

Our aim is to make planning and implementing your school’s outdoor adventure easier. If you’d like everything included, we’ll organise briefings at your school, transport to and from your school, catering, camp grounds or bunkhouses, itineraries, equipment, guides and full safety and emergency support. Only want a guide? No problem. We can provide fully qualified and experienced guides and/or instructors.  Just ask us.

Soon your students will be bushwalking in Copeland or Barrington Tops; navigating; discovering camp craft; developing leadership skills and learning trust in team-building sessions; white water canoeing, white water or recreational kayaking, or mountain biking. We even have carbon neutral, community service and environmental service programs.

If you only have small student numbers, don’t think you have to miss out. We have a place for you.  Just talk to us about your special requirements now.

Our experience
We’ve changed over the last 27 years from a canoe hire business to an environmentally responsible organisation known to deliver quality educational experiences. We have worked with many schools including:

Barker College, Hunter Valley Grammar School, Newcastle Grammar School, St. Luke’s Grammar and St. Vincent’s College.

Professional Standards
BOAC operates in accordance with current Outdoor Education and Australian Canoeing standards and is a member of ORIC. This means that we provide an extensive service and guarantee the quality of our products.

Guides
BOAC works only with experienced and suitably qualified guides and instructors.

Procedures
Our attention to detail is second to none. Our programs are extensively planned and documented to ensure quality service and the highest safety standards. We provide all instructors and teachers with the following documentation:
·    Program outlines
·    Itinerary
·    Detailed risk assessments
·    Detailed route plans
·    Lesson plans
·    Medical forms and assessments
·    Emergency and evacuation procedures
·    Contingency plans

Equipment
BOAC provides all customers with quality current equipment.

Insurances
BOAC carries a $10,000,000 liability insurance for all services provided.

Areas of Operation
Our programs are wilderness based, operating out of Gloucester, NSW, in the foothills of the Barrington and Copeland Tops. We can also offer programs on the Hawkesbury River, in the Blue Mountains or at Mungo Brush.

Learning Outcomes
We work with you to develop appropriate student outcomes including: equipment choice and preparation; meal planning and responsibility; safety considerations; navigation skills; leadership and teamwork; expedition documentation; camp craft care; information distribution; communication; mountain biking; bush walking; canoeing; kayaking; environmental awareness and actions.