Camps and Excursions
Forest Hill College has an extensive program of year level and specialist camps. These broaden the range of educational, recreational and social/personal experiences available for students taking learning beyond the confines of the classroom. They also provide access to community resources and the wider environment.
Excursions play a major educational role at Forest Hill College as well as providing recreational and social experiences for students. All students have access to a variety of excursions that take learning beyond the four walls of the classroom and provide first-hand experience that is difficult to achieve in the ordinary learning environment.
General Camps
Year Level Camps are open to all students at the specific level. These camps serve a social, recreational and educational purpose. They emphasise the ability to work co-operatively with others and promote self-esteem, resourcefulness, independence, leadership, cooperation, and tolerance.Specialist camps provide first-hand experience that is difficult to achieve in the classroom. These include study camps, instrumental music camps and theatrical production camps. These also aim to promote self-esteem, resourcefulness and independence.
Subject based camps provide practical application or observation arising from classroom learning. These can be Key Learning Area based or a specific VCE study camps such as Outdoor Education.
The current program of College camps includes:
- Year 7 Orientation Camp
- Year 10, 11 & 12 Central Australia Tour
- Year 12 Study Skills Camp
- Instrumental Music Camps
- VCE Outdoor Education Camps
- RACV Energy Challenge
Year Level Camps
The Year 7 Orientation Camp is held at Camp Manyung in Mount Eliza. This camp is an integral part of the ongoing Year 7 transition experience. The carefully designed program fosters co-operative teamwork, as well as providing opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and independence. Some of the activities include high and low ropes, a giant swing, archery, and beach activities.
The currently suspended Year 9 Tasmania Experience Tour sees students travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania for a tour that includes many of the key historical and scenic sights on the island. Students visit the historic Ross and Richmond townships, take a guided tour of the world famous Cadbury's Chocolate Factory, see panoramic views of Hobart from Mt Wellington, take a scenic cruise on the Derwent River, experience the Tahune Forest Airwalk and explore the historic Port Arthur Penal Settlement, including a cruise around the Isle of the Dead and a lantern-lit historical Ghost Tour.
The Central Australia Trip is a tradition for Year 10 - 12 students. The trip includes all of the major Central Australia experiences such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon, Coober Pedy, the spectacular gorges surrounding Alice Springs, and the Olgas, where students walk into The Valley of the Winds and through many of the majestic domes. One of the highlights for students is a presentation on aspects of Aboriginal culture explained by members of the Institute for Aboriginal Development.
