We live by the tenet that first-hand experiences are one of the best bases for learning. This means we are out in the world frequently. Sometimes Candlebark feels more like a travel agency than a school! We like to claim that we have more camps and excursions than any other school in Australia, and no other school has challenged us on this – yet.
Camps are an integral part of Candlebark life and commence from the very first term of Prep. We go (almost) everywhere, from the Victorian bush to big cities like Sydney, and the remote north of the Tiwi Islands and Kakadu. Our camps involve hiking, paddling, abseiling, camping, navigating urban centres, cooking on Trangier stoves, sharing stories under the stars, watching birds and world-class theatre, and so on.
Camps are valued as highly as Literacy or Numeracy in our program and are not an optional extra. They are included in the fees and set up so that every child can and should participate. If you anticipate that your child may struggle to spend multiple nights away from home, please discuss with us if Candlebark may be the right choice for your child and, if so, what support may be required.
Nulla Vale
We have a 475 acre property north of Candlebark that we use for camp outs. The site is mostly pasture dominated by 370 million year old granite boulders. We have begun the slow but rewarding process of regenerating the land and hope to one day return it close to its precolonial state.
Outdoor education
Outdoor education is a rich part of Candlebark life. We start every year with a whole school camp out, usually in north east Victoria. All students participate, including the Preps! From Grade 1, our students go on multi-day hikes, building up to bike camps and paddle camps in later years.
Sleepovers
When we’re not off adventuring, we’re often sleeping over at school. School sleepovers can be for a specific purpose, such as seeing a play in Melbourne or stargazing on the property. They can also be to help build cohesiveness in a year level or between year levels. Sleepovers build resilience and independence in our students and are an important part of the Candlebark program.
