Reflections on culture

Outdoor Education Schools Queensland

Over the last few years the traditional activities of Outdoor Education have become mainstream commercial activities.  It’s possible to fly a zipline in a shopping centre, clamber over a high ropes course on an individual double carabiner setup or scale climbing walls with nothing more than the assistance of an automatic belay system.  Activities are getting bigger, better, longer and some of our competitors have installed similar options because it’s cheaper, less labour intensive and allows larger participant to staff ratios.  Some climbing walls even offer strobe lights and blaring disco music.

QCCC’s work with several Aboriginal groups has given us a deeper understanding of the ancient ways of our continent. Our Aboriginal brethren are this country’s original Outdoor Education – their entire survival depended upon passing on the wisdom vital to the stewardship of their natural environment. In the words of one of them – “this country is literally connected by ancient stories (songs actually) that were essential for effective and respectful travel.”...

Recently I heard a talk by someone celebrating the faithfulness of an orphan mission in Central Africa, totally reliant on donations and therefore operating “on faith”. The talk was of the numerous close calls, near misses, miraculous intervention and “God always coming through and rewarding the faith of the place”....