What happens when it does go wrong? The Judge will discuss dealing with insurers, the coronial process and investigations and working with lawyers. Importantly also, Justice Brereton will talk on how those in the outdoor setting can help mitigate risk under the Civil Liability Act, such as the employment of risk waivers etc.

Developed from past cases and scenarios, we will be able to discuss the reality of our industry in this area of law, and will use some time at the end to address specific questions from attendees.

EVERY EXPERIENCE MATTERS - LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM
Using substantiated evidence based research on the role of Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) for children's whole development, Karen discusses the benefits and impacts of LOtC, providing evidence that "every experience matters" and can contribute to children's whole development and to the achievement of 5 key outcomes - children's learning; children's social interactions; children's emotional well-being; children's physical experiences; and children's responses and behaviour change.

When children experience the world through explorative play and experiential learning activities in school grounds, wilderness camps, etc. their lives can be positively changed. All these experiences can lay the foundation for shaping a child's growing knowledge, confidence and identity.

The evidence-based review supports the argument that "Every Experience Matters" for children and young people. Experiences outside the formal classroom help provide the blueprint on which young people continue to build throughout their shcooling. Evidence now exists that these experiences will have significant impact on the child's whole development.

DR SUE ROFFEY
Adjunct Fellow
Centre for Educational Research
University of Western Sydney

CIRCLE TIME: TARGETING SKILLS THAT LEAD TO BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, RESILIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
With a framework that can be applied with groups at all ages, including staff, Circle Time is a democratic and creative approach used to consider a wide range of issues, addressing values, attitudes and skills within a structured and supportive framework.

With great potential for all camp facilitators and leaders, Circle Time is a framework for social and emotional learning which uses shared activities and games to promote the understanding and skills that are the foundations for positive relationships, resilience and responsibility.
Circle Time books -

OPENING ADDRESS

THE CADET EXPERIENCE: A TEST OF LEADERSHIP IN THE OUTDOORS
All too often Gen Y are accused of not taking responsibility for their own actions; cadets and leadership by cadets in the bush debunks this theory.

Colin will outline the part that “going bush” plays in the development of the cadet experience and in particular in developing the leadership potential and abilities of the cadets and also touch on the impact that taking groups of young people out bush has on the development of the adult staff and their capacity to lead in the most trying of circumstances.

INTEGRATING IT AND TECHNOLOGY INTO THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF YOUR OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
Ian will display how he is utilising IT and technology to help with the practical day to day running of his outdoor ed program at Glengarry.

He will highlight the use of Intranet, memory map, PowerPoint, Podcasting, Video, and the new web based technologies of SlideShare, TeacherTube, YouTube and Google Earth Mashups.

BALANCING ADVENTURE AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING INTO VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, THEORY, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORK ETHIC AND SELF RESPONSIBILITY
This presentation will explore adventure and experiential learning as a balance within the frameworks of education, work ethos, personal development and responsibility.

It will also examine how to balance adventure education with dynamic risk related programs for incarcerated young adult offender males and females.

NO PROPS TO NO FLOPS
Practical, interactive program which will present a series of great activities and games which teachers and outdoor education and recreation providers can use and integrate into their curriculum for the purposes of building self-esteem, team skills or simply to have fun.

The program will be TONS of fun, but will especially motivate program providers to value the integration of adventure into their curriculum to develop the leadership, teamwork and communication skills of their participants.

CHARLIE CROSS
Head Teacher, Health & Recreation
TAFE NSW, Western Institute

Session with co-presenter Lorraine Smith

THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION ON EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Research conducted by TAFE NSW Western Institute on school aged outdoor programs in relation to employability skills and personal attributes.

Charlie explains how this data, both quantitative and qualitative, can be used by all of the outdoor community, to assist marketing to their clients, that supports the use of outdoor education as having positive effects on students.

COMMUNICATING RISK TO PARENTS: Looking at recent research, literature & practical examples for improving risk communication processes
Have you, or your organisation/school critically analysed your risk communication processes?

Can parents really make an 'informed' decision about their child's participation?

Do you actively involve them in these processes, including their perceptions and understandings of risk?

DR TRACEY DICKSON
Centre for Tourism Research
University of Canberra

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING PUTTING MY CHILD'S LIFE AT RISK?
This workshop will draw upon insights two from two perspectives:

From a review of research on the benefits of outdoor activities, it was clear that those programs that had clear objectives and worked torwards them, had better outcomes for participants; and secondly a question: on what basis are you choosing the activities, program design and locations to achieve your objectives?

Could you achieve the same objectives with less risk to people, place and equipment?

UNDERSTANDING WEATHER IN THE FIELD
Obtaining, interpreting and implementing crucial weather information.

Julie will expand upon the role weather plays in safety in the field, and how to remain informed of local conditions and potential weather implications.

OWEN FITZGERALD (pictured)
Riverina Highlands Rail Trails Committee


PETER DALE (Co-presenter)
Executive Officer
Riverina Regional Development Board

FROM FAILED RAIL TO RAIL TRAIL
What are they?

Where are they being used in Australia?

Why hasn't NSW established these walking and cycling trails?

Which areas in NSW are ready to open rail trails?

LEARNING JOURNEYS - EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Pete discusses an online survey system that allows students to reflect on their level of 'competency' in target learning areas, rating themselves against a number of statements that relate to each target competency.

The process and reports it generates engages students in the learning process before and after a program, provides schools with valuable data for maintaining and improving the quality and educational effectiveness of programs and provides tools for effective development and continuous improvement of outdoor educational practice.

ART LIDBETTER
Program Coordinator
Dept of Sport & Recreation
Berry Centre

Session with co-presenter Tex Skuthorpe

A JOURNEY WITH YOUTH AT RISK
Art's journey with youth at risk before meeting with Tex Skuthorpe, his discovery of the therapeutic benefits of storytelling by accident on extended wilderness programs, and how that has influenced the way he runs programs.

USING TRACK NOTES AND GUIDE BOOKS TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF BUSHWALKING IN AUSTRALIA
Guide books have long played a vital role in developing walking cultures around the world. With the information age upon us, now is the time to better use this resources in Australia.

This session will be an opportunity to talk about how we can use track notes and guide books in outdoor recreation to help improve access and further develop a culture of sustainable bushwalking in Australia.

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU REACH CAMP
Games, mind-benders, rhymes, etc. to pass the time away on camp before or after you have tackled the mandatory parts of your outing.

Whittling Instructions

BENEFITS AND PITFALLS OF CANYONING
Dave will explain what canyoning is, how to do it and what you need.

He will explain the dangers involved and how to minimise these.
Dave will also describe the benefits of canyoning and why it is such an interesting outdoor activity and how canyoning led him to the discovery of the Wollemi Pine.

WHY GO BUSH?
A LOOK AT THE AIMS, PRACTICES AND WELLBEING IMPACTS OF THERAPEUTIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURE INTERVENTIONS IN AUSTRALIA
Anita will present results of a recently completed study into wilderness/adventure therapy practice in Australia. Findings shed light on the professional foundations, distinctive models, and health and wellbeing benefits arising for participants of these experiences.

Discussion will explore the application and integration of therapeutic practices within outdoor programs.

VOLUNTEER RETENTION IN A COMPETITIVE VOLUNTEER MARKET
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is the state’s major water safety and rescue organisation, and with over 58,000 members is one of the largest volunteer movements in the state. Research conducted during 2006 around Australia confirmed that Surf Life Saving is the best-known community volunteer organisation.

SLSNSW encourages and supports their volunteers to complete formal training, which directly contributes to its ongoing viability, ensures we are in line with best practice and can gain the edge over other volunteer competitors. In particular, the benefits of SLSNSW’s commitment to support volunteers attain qualifications.

THE USE OF STORY TELLING IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
An indigenous story teller and acclaimed artist, this session with Tex has us finding the meaning within the stories and the use of art as a powerful facilitation tool.

Tex shows how traditional Aboriginal stories and paintings were used to convey knowledge from one generation to the next, about the environment, law and relationships. They reveal the hidden art of four-level storytelling, and discuss how the stories, and the way they were used, formed the basis for a sustainable society. They also explain how the Aboriginal style of leadership created resilient societies.

THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION ON EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The workshop will explore the nature and scope of the TVET Outdoor Recreation Block Delivery program in terms of student outcomes.

Evaluation tools and methods used to gather and analyse data together with the findings will be shared. The workshop will highlight that the TVET Outdoor Recreation program significantly impacts participants’ self-perceived life effectiveness skills which in turn assist young people in their choices both personally and vocationally into the future.

THE USE OF INFIELD BIO-FEEDBACK TOOLS TO ENHANCE STRESS MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Armed with a number of handheld devices, laptops and other paraphernalia, Daryl will "hook you up" to present a practical workshop demonstrating the use of infield bio-feedback technology and associated techniques.

Daryl will outline it's application in training and in-field settings and how it can be used to assist a person develop stress coping strategies and enhance outdoor education programs.