The students at Scone Grammar School have many opportunities to be involved in outdoor activities.

Year 7 and 8 camp

The school holds yearly camps for Years 7 and 8 and 9 and 10. These camps take place in October when the warm weather has allowed activities such as kayaking and sailing to take place.

Years 7 and 8 travel to Port Hacking and utilise the facilities of Anglican Youth Works. The facility is on the very edge of The Royal National Park and has access to the protected waters of Port Hacking. The resident staff are proficient and well trained in the many activities that they offer. The program allows and encourages the students to improve both personal and group expertise. In many ways the activity is only secondary to many of the less obvious skills that they develop. The greatest characteristic on display is that of encouragement. It is recognised, by all, that students have varying abilities to perform the set task. The students encourage each other to ‘do their best’. This often results in many students being recognised for their determination, willingness to be part of a team and skill in organising activities. The activities for Year 7 and 8 are sequential in that the nature of the task is extended and in some ways made more difficult. In Year 8 ‘The Big Day Out’ allow students to kayak, climb and walk in a one-day expedition in the big outdoors. In Year 7 the activities are based around the facility and include high and low ropes, climbing the rock wall and abseiling. All students have the opportunity to go sailing.

The social aspect of young students living in close proximity with each other develops many positive relationships. The opportunity for the teachers to be seen in a different environment also fosters positive relationships. The camp also offers 'time out' to participate in less arduous activities such as the ‘skit’ night and farewell disco which are now embedded as traditions of this camp.

Year 9 and 10 camp

At the same time as the Year 7 and 8 camp, the 9's and 10's travel to Tea Gardens and enjoy the program run by ‘The Great Aussie Bush Camp’. As an extension to the Year 7 and 8 camps these activities demand a higher degree of teamwork and participation. The high ropes and leap of faith have seen some extraordinary performances by both girls and boys. The sailing and kayaking also calls upon the skills learnt in Year 7 and 8 but without an instructor immediately on board the students must navigate their craft skilfully in a challenging environment.

Again the encouragement received by participating students is a confidence builder and improves individual self-esteem.

There are many occasions for social interaction and these occasions allow for the students to develop a deeper understanding and tolerance of themselves, their peers and teachers. The learning process includes the recognition of achievement and the limitations of themselves and others. The critical and most beneficial experience is that students work together to achieve individual and team goals. It is this better understanding of others that is the most valuable lesson to be learnt.

Both of these camps endeavor to improve student communication, tolerance and understanding. They encourage students to take on leadership roles and through the challenging activities that are offered, to develop self-belief in overcoming difficulties in a team environment.