Building Character Through Challenge: The Role of Outdoor Education and Rites of Passage at Somerset College

At Somerset College, our Outdoor Education program is far more than time spent away from campus, it is a carefully structured journey of personal growth, leadership, and connection. Each camp from Year 7 to Year 11 has been designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

In recent years, this journey has been strengthened through the introduction of the Rites of Passage (ROP) framework, in partnership with the Rites of Passage Institute. This framework provides meaningful structure and purpose to the adolescent years, guiding students as they navigate the transition from childhood to young adulthood.

WHY WE INTRODUCED RIGHTS OF PASSAGE

The Rites of Passage framework gives students the opportunity to step back from everyday routines and reflect on who they are becoming. Through a series of guided “circles,” students share stories, explore challenges, and consider their values and aspirations. Importantly, these moments of reflection are supported by both staff and parents, ensuring that each student feels recognised and supported in their growth.

In Year 9, the program focuses on discovery and connection, helping students to understand themselves and strengthen their relationships with others. By Year 10, the emphasis shifts to leadership, responsibility, and vision, as students undertake a self-sufficient expedition and begin to consider the adults they wish to become. Each phase is marked by ceremony and acknowledgment, reinforcing belonging and self-worth.

THE BROADER IMPACT OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Outdoor Education at Somerset aims to teach students much more than outdoor skills. It develops resilience, empathy, teamwork, and integrity through real-world challenges and shared experiences. Whether it is setting up camp, navigating a trail, or supporting a peer through a difficult moment, students learn that growth often comes from discomfort and that success is rarely achieved alone.

This progressive model ensures that each year builds on the last, culminating in a sense of accomplishment, leadership, and perspective. By the time students reach Year 11, they have developed the confidence to take ownership of their experiences and the empathy to guide others through theirs.

THE BENEFITS

The combination of Outdoor Education and Rites of Passage has had a profound impact on our students. They return from camp not only with practical skills but also with a deeper sense of purpose, identity, and community. Parents often remark on the maturity, gratitude, and self-awareness that emerge after these experiences, qualities that form the foundation of lifelong character.

Ultimately, the program’s purpose is simple yet significant: to help our young people grow into grounded, capable, and compassionate adults. Through challenge, reflection, and connection, they learn that leadership begins with self-awareness, and that true education extends far beyond the classroom walls.