Camp Fairbairn Outdoor Education Centre offers a wide range of activities that can be structured into your program. Your camp coordinator will assist in creating a balanced program that suits your needs and gives your students the best chance of building success toward your desired curriculum outcomes.
Group challenge activities are our core business as they contribute to outcomes across the spectrum, provide an early opportunity for groups to bond and help us to identify focus areas for the following sessions.
Our experienced and professional staff are happy to adapt activities to suit special needs or requirements. Please let us know before you arrive.
Teamwork and challenge inform our activity programs with outcomes mapped against HPE achievement standards. Our Curriculum Tree (PDF, 957KB) gives a visual model of the how and why of the camp experience.
Group Challenge (PDF, 227KB) - Our core business! Problem solving, critical and creative thinking in a whole team environment helping to develop teamwork and leadership capability. We have a varied selection of group challenge activities starting with oval based games and building to include our larger equipment.
Canoeing (PDF, 317KB) - Often a highlight, groups will be given basic instruction in paddling with an emphasis on safety before heading out on the lake. Depending on the group the activity will be guided with an instructor paddling with them or self directed using hand held GPS units.
Catapults (PDF, 229KB) - Students need to work effectively in small teams to build a giant slingshot. The activity finishes with a catapult war.
Raft Building (PDF, 229KB) - Students work in small groups to design and build a raft using supplied materials. The test is a raft race on Lake Maraboon.
Campout (PDF, 220KB) - A night at our remote camp site starts with a canoe or walking expedition to get there. Students build shelters using supplied materials and depending on the year level either enjoy a meal cooked by one of our teachers or cook their own. Students spend the evening around the campfire, sleeping under their shelters and a return paddle to base the next morning.
Low Ropes (PDF, 227KB) - Balance with both individual and team challenges close to the ground. This activity give students an opportunity to support each other in achieving success.
Mohawk Walk (227KB) - This is a whole group activity that uses elements of the low ropes course to test how good the tribe is.
Primary Navigation (PDF, 301KB) - Basic compass skills and paces are used to navigate in small teams around a set course. Depending on the group students work on their own to achieve success.
Rogaining (PDF, 301KB) - We have our own orienteering map of adjacent bushland with around 80 markers permanently attached. Rogaining allows students to set their own course after an introduction to basic map to ground navigation. The aim is to work with their small group, apply the skills and see how many points they can find.
Glider Possum (PDF, 227KB) - Teams need to cooperate to give members an exciting ride. This activity is well suited to differentiation to suit special needs and younger visitors.
Rockwall Climbing (PDF, 235KB) - Our ten meter wall has a number of climbs to challenge students. Their belay team needs to cooperate, build trust and help the climber achieve their goal. For additional challenge we have blindfolds and other suggestions.
Tower Abseil (PDF, 244KB) - Students are in control of their descent from the top of our ten metre tower.
Crate Stack (PDF, 227KB) - A team focussed high challenge that suits all abilities. The challenge is on working to build the tallest tower.
Flying Fox (PDF, 227KB) - This individual challenge provides an exhilarating ride with breathtaking lake views.
High Ropes (PDF, 227KB) - Our seven element high ropes course gives groups an opportunity to build trust as they keep each other safe achieving success on the high wires.
High Challenge (PDF, 227KB) - To build on the success of high ropes or where groups have done high ropes before Camp Fairbairn has a number of group high challenge elements. Students will build on the skills and experience as they work together to achieve a successful team outcome safely. Suited to our older visitors, leadership development and groups needing that extra challenge.
Sailing (PDF, 185KB) - Available for smaller groups we have catamarans and our wooden Stornaways. Both provide a sailing experience with lots of opportunity to learn and develop new skills as a small group.
Astronomy (PDF, 227KB) - The options and variety within our astronomy can be of direct support in the science curriculum. Resources are available to deepen understanding indigenous and traditional perspectives of the night sky, taking learning outdoors with a solar system model and observation nights at our site or yours. There is almost always something happening in the night sky including visible planets, deep space objects and the moon. We can visit other sites with our equipment by arrangement.
Macro Sampling (PDF, 227KB) - See what tiny creatures live at the waters edge, this is a fishing trip where students are sure to land a catch. As part of a science unit macro-sampling is an indicator of water quality.
Pirate Nav (PDF, 301KB) - Treasure hunt based on a pirate theme using maps and a compass. A great introduction to the compass for P-3 groups.
Damper Making (PDF, 219KB) - Students make a tasty damper using provided ingredients, cooking can be over hot coals with damper sticks or a camp oven.
Shelter Building - P-3 students build a bush cubby house using camp materials. Assessed as low-medium risk there is no risk assessment for this activity, please talk to your coordinator.
Archery (PDF, 239KB) - The flat area on the shores of the lake provides an open setting for target archery. Students will learn the basics of nocking up an arrow and sending it towards a target.
Expeditions (PDF, 293KB) - We can organise and lead expedition bushwalks or canoeing to a variety of location. We are a provider for the Duke of Edinburgh program and can provide basic camping and cooking equipment for students. Carnarvon Gorge is not too far away with comfortable campsites and five star walking.