Programs - VCE

BOEC offers programs that support the new VCE 2001 study design 'Outdoor & Environmental Studies '. The Centre is a major resource for any school wishing to use the Alpine environment as a part of this VCE study.

BOEC is offering schools a package that includes qualified staff, accommodation, practical activities and support materials to enable schools to study the unique sub-alpine environment in which the Centre is located and the alpine environment of the Bogong High Plains and Alpine National Park. A school has the option of participating in a summer program, a skiing program or both depending on demand.

The study of the sub-alpine and alpine area would include experential, historical, ecological, geological, political, social and economic aspects which can be used by students as a means to assist them demonstrate achievement of the two outcomes of each unit. Much of the key knowledge and skills related to the outcomes will be learned through consideration of, and participation in, an outdoor activity.

The study requires students to undertake at least 20 hours of practical activities. BOEC can offer extended outdoor experiences that count towards this time requirement.

The Study Design is made up of 4 units with each unit having 2 areas of study

Practical Activities & VCE

There is a close relationship between theoretical and practical learning in Outdoor and Environmental Studies. Classwork should have the potential to lead to practical application and vice versa.

It is the adventure experiences that provide the motivation and the skills towards learning about the sub-alpine and alpine environments. The practical activities are organised in such a way that observation, exploration and encounter are key features of the activity, trip or journey.

In this regard BOEC can offer a number of practical activities which can be used for exploration and adventure, challenge, initiative, teambuilding, self-sufficiency, personal development and community living .

The following activities are offered: bushwalking (day or extended), ski touring (day or extended), downhill skiing, mountain biking (day), orienteering and rogaining, high ropes course, canoeing and rockclimbing.

All activities are led by experienced and qualified staff using the best equipment and safety procedures available.

VCE Winter Program Units of Work

Attached are units of work that BOEC staff have put together to supplement the VCE winter program. We have designed a course that ensures that students will learn and benefit from their experiences at BOEC.

The course is of a sequential nature and if students complete all tasks in detail, they will be adequately prepared for their SAC.   The course involves:

• Pre trip questions to front load the experience.
• A pre trip research Work Requirement.
• Questions to be reflected on each evening whilst at camp.
• During camp work requirement.  
• Post trip questions to help students further debrief their experience.
• SAC.

All of the pre camp and during camp pieces of work form the knowledge required to complete the SAC.   Therefore each students SAC will be a reflection of how much effort and detail they have put into the proceeding work requirements and during camp questions.

Please select the relevant unit of work for your up coming ski camp

Click on a link to download the ski unit as a Microsoft Word document

Unit 4 - The Future of Natural Environments.

Outcome 1.      

	Unit 4: XC - Downhill Ski Combination (doc)
	Unit 4: XC Ski tour focus (doc)

Outcome 2.

Unit 4: Downhill Ski Focus (doc)

Unit 2 - Environmental Impacts.

Unit 2 : XC - Downhill Ski Combination (doc)

BOEC & teacher/school liaison

The Centre will negotiate with each school on the type of program they want. Negtotiation is based on how activities generate outcomes in the study design. Currently a school can negotiate for a summer camp of up to 6 days or a ski camp of up to 5 days i.e. 3-4 days skiing.

Facilities available

• Two self-contained units that can accommodate 10 & 13 people respectively (schools can negotiate to have meals provided or to self cater).
• New Environmental Studies Centre.
• Modern indoor rockclimbing facility and associated outdoor walls locally and on the Bogong High Plains.
• Permanent orienteering and rogaining courses.
• High ropes course.
• A lake and many walking tracks.
• Computers, printer and digital cameras, scanner & CD burner.
• Comprehensive library for VCE students
• Shared access to indoor recreational areas.
• Buses - Schools should plan to be self sufficient is this regard both in summer and winter. A bus can be arranged locally if required. Mt Beauty to Falls Creek is a declared hazardous area in winter.

• Clothing - Waterproof jackets & overpants, day packs, gloves and goggles.
• Skis, boots and poles: Cross country & downhill.
• All necessary bushwalking & ski touring gear e.g. packs, tents, stoves, sleeping bags, gaiters etc.
• Mountain bikes & trailer.
• All necessary rockclimbing and abseiling gear.
• Canoes, life jackets, wet suits and slickers.
• Pioneering poles and ropes.

previous page : years 9/10

next page : tafe