New HPE Curriculum Links for School Camps in Victoria
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Bushcraft & Survival – Curriculum Alignment (HPE Years 5–8)
This page maps the Bushcraft and Survival program to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (HPE). Teachers can print or save it as a PDF for lesson planning.
Overview
Activity: Bushcraft and Survival combines outdoor living skills including shelter construction, fire lighting, water sourcing, navigation and environmental awareness. Delivered in a controlled natural setting by Scout Adventures instructors.
Key outcomes
- Develop practical outdoor skills for survival and safety in the natural environment.
- Apply problem-solving and teamwork to meet basic needs such as shelter, warmth and navigation.
- Make safe, ethical and sustainable choices when using natural resources.
- Build resilience, confidence and connection with nature through hands-on experience.
- Reflect on wellbeing, teamwork and self-reliance through challenge-based learning.
Curriculum strands
- Movement & Physical Activity
- Personal, Social & Community Health
Mapped for Years 5–6 and Years 7–8. Suitable for sustainability, outdoor education and resilience programs.
Years 5–6
| Curriculum content description (HPE) | How the activity links | Sample session feature |
|---|---|---|
| Practise and apply movement and coordination skills in outdoor settings (v9: AC9HP6M04) | Students apply fine and gross motor skills while constructing shelters, using tools safely and performing navigation tasks. | Building a weatherproof shelter or lighting a small fire under supervision. |
| Investigate and apply strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing (v9: AC9HP6P06) | Students learn to identify hazards, manage risks and use safety protocols when working outdoors. | Discussion and demonstration of Leave No Trace principles and emergency responses. |
| Plan and practise strategies to promote personal and community health, safety and wellbeing (v9: AC9HP6P07) | Students plan how to meet basic survival needs using teamwork and effective communication. | Group challenge: design a survival plan using limited resources and natural materials. |
| Demonstrate ethical behaviour and fair play when participating in outdoor and cooperative activities (v8.4: ACPMP069) | Students respect the environment, share resources, and support peers in safe, sustainable participation. | Team reflection on group decisions and resource use during bushcraft tasks. |
Years 7–8
| Curriculum content description (HPE) | How the activity links | Sample session feature |
|---|---|---|
| Analyse and refine problem-solving strategies in practical outdoor settings (v9: AC9HP8M01) | Students analyse environmental factors and apply creative problem-solving to adapt survival techniques. | Scenario-based challenges: staying safe overnight, creating fire in wet conditions, or sourcing water responsibly. |
| Demonstrate and explain how outdoor movement and teamwork contribute to health and wellbeing (v9: AC9HP8P08) | Students understand how teamwork and outdoor challenges contribute to physical, social and emotional wellbeing. | Group reflection linking activity participation to confidence and stress management. |
| Plan and implement strategies for connecting to natural environments to promote sustainability and wellbeing (v9) | Students explore how sustainable practices protect ecosystems while supporting community and personal wellbeing. | Application of sustainability principles such as minimal impact fires and resource conservation. |
| Select, use and refine strategies to support inclusion, collaboration and leadership (Achievement standard link) | Students assume leadership roles, delegate responsibilities and ensure inclusive participation in group survival tasks. | Team rotations where each student leads a different bushcraft component (navigation, fire, shelter). |
Teacher notes
Before the activity: Brief students on safety, tool use, environmental ethics and survival priorities. Discuss teamwork and communication expectations.
During the activity: Encourage creative problem-solving, teamwork and sustainable thinking during each bushcraft component.
After the activity: Facilitate reflection on resilience, collaboration and environmental connection, linking learning to personal wellbeing.
This activity supports the Movement & Physical Activity and Personal, Social & Community Health strands for Years 5–8.
Book or ask a curriculum question
Need this page as a PDF or curriculum alignment for another activity? Email enquiries@scoutadventures.com.au.
