Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education is a highlight of a students life at Grace Lutheran College, offering transformative experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. Through nature-based challenges and immersive group activities, students develop essential life skills and build strong connections with their peers, the environment, and themselves.
A Key Part of Our Contemporary Education Framework
Outdoor Education is intentionally designed to support the development of the College’s Contemporary Competencies, which are embedded across all learning experiences:
- Critical Thinking – Navigating unfamiliar environments and solving real-world problems
- Collaboration – Working effectively in teams during group challenges and expeditions
- Empathy – Building emotional intelligence through shared experiences and reflection
- Communication – Expressing ideas clearly and listening actively in dynamic settings
- Creativity – Adapting to new situations and thinking innovatively in outdoor contexts
- Resilience – Developing perseverance and confidence through physical and emotional challenges
These competencies are cultivated through a range of outdoor experiences that complement classroom learning and contribute to the development of future-ready individuals.
GOOGA: Our Flagship Outdoor Education Program
At the heart of our Outdoor Education offering is GOOGA, Grace Lutheran College’s flagship program. GOOGA is a four-week residential experience for Year 9 students, held at the Googa Outdoor Education Centre in the Blackbutt Ranges. It is a defining experience for many students, fostering independence, teamwork, and personal growth through practical tasks, community living, and outdoor challenges.
A Rich History of Purposeful Learning
GOOGA was established in 1988 through the cooperation of Lutheran Schools and the Queensland Forestry Service. Grace Lutheran College students began attending GOOGA in 1990, and the program has continued to grow.
The centre is deliberately simple, preserving the rustic charm of its origins. Students live without modern conveniences and technology, embracing a lifestyle that encourages reflection, connection, and guided self-reliance.
Learning Through Experience
GOOGA is grounded in experiential learning and shaped by the College values of Grit, Growth, and Grace:
- Grit – Developing perseverance and courage through challenge and uncertainty
- Growth – Learning about oneself, others, and the natural world in meaningful and reflective ways
- Grace – Encountering God in His creation, fostering compassion, humility, and a sense of belonging
Students engage in daily chores, outdoor tasks, and community living, gaining practical skills and deepening their understanding of responsibility, leadership, and faith. The program also supports the Christian Studies Curriculum Framework through lived experiences that explore identity, ethics, and vocation.
Grace Outdoor Education Scope and Sequence Program Highlights
- Year Level Camps and Expeditions
- Leadership and Team Building Activities
- Environmental and Sustainability Education
- Curriculum Integration with Health, Science, and Christian Studies
- Pastoral and Wellbeing Support Embedded in all experiences
A Safe and Supportive Environment
All Outdoor Education activities are facilitated by qualified staff and experienced instructors, with a strong emphasis on safety, inclusivity, and student wellbeing. Risk management and pastoral care are embedded into every aspect of the program to ensure students feel supported and empowered.
