Going outdoors opens new horizons. It can be a journey into an unfamiliar world - a world of differences where norms, comforts, and routines are left behind and where students dress, feel, think and behave differently. Going outdoors can also be a voyage of discoveries where all of us find things out about ourselves, about each other and about the natural world.

‘Outdoor education’ is a general term used to embrace different types of activity undertaken by the Primary and Academy students in a range of contexts: outdoor and residential visits; field work; outdoor and adventurous activities; outdoor pursuits; and ‘outward bound’ activities.

The ‘outdoors’ is, in fact, a classroom of infinite resources, and we are blessed and privileged to live in a beautiful country that has so much to offer in terms of outdoor education - from the Zambezi Valley to the rugged Chimanimani mountains; from the granite outcrops in the Matopos to major archaeological sites like ‘Great Zimbabwe’.

Visits outside school grounds start early at the Hellenic Schools! The Nursery school enjoy their annual visit to farms and dairies. In the Primary School, class visits include trips to Tsindi Ruins, camps in the Eastern Highlands, Prefect leadership camps and culminating, in Grade 7, with both classes travelling to RIFA Hunters’ camp in the Zambezi Valley. In the past, class visits have been organised to places such as the Matopos, Lithium mines at Bikita, and Great Zimbabwe.

At the Academy, all new Form Ones (75 children in total) travel to Nyanga for a week’s camp by the Nyangombe river. It takes place the very first week of their first term in High School. Form Two’s travel to Great Zimbabwe, one class per term. In Form Three all students can expect a week long hike in the Chimanimani mountains using, as base, the ‘Outward bound’ centre. In the Senior Years, students can expect to travel to the Zambezi River, Gona Re Zhou and the Matopos.

In addition to formal class visits, the Mountain and Hiking Club at the Academy regularly organises visits, camps and hikes over weekends during the school term.

At Hellenic Schools, we believe that ‘Outdoor Education’ is an integral part of the curriculum. Students develop their physical skills in new and challenging situations as well as exercising important social skills such as ‘teamwork’ and ‘leadership’.

Students’ attitudes and behaviour during adventurous activities and ‘outdoor’ education activities are always monitored. The results are always encouraging. We always hope for, and aim to develop, mature responses to challenging situations. Significantly, outdoor education activities also involve students in risk assessment and in the management of risk.

Students’ involvement in risk management makes them aware of potential harm and contributes towards their being able to take greater responsibility for their own and others’ safety.