Adventure
Adventure programme
At Lilyfontein School, adventure isn’t just an activity – it’s part of who we are. Since 2000, our Adventure Programme has been a core part of the curriculum, helping learners from Grade 0 to Grade 12 grow in confidence, resilience, and essential life skills.
Adventure is embedded into the Life Orientation curriculum, as a non-negotiable part of our school offering. But, it also supports learning across the board – whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in everyday interactions. It’s how we help young people build character, think on their feet, and work well with others.
In 2005, we added the Adventure Pursuits Programme for learners in Grade 8 to 12. This optional programme encourages students to take on exciting (and sometimes challenging) activities that stretch their limits – from hiking and paddling to teamwork challenges and leadership tasks. It’s designed to teach both practical “hard” skills and the “soft” skills that the world needs more of: communication, grit, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a strong sense of self.
At Lilyfontein School, adventure isn’t just an activity – it’s part of who we are. Since 2000, our Adventure Programme has been a core part of the curriculum, helping learners from Grade 0 to Grade 12 grow in confidence, resilience, and essential life skills.
Adventure is embedded into the Life Orientation curriculum, as a non-negotiable part of our school offering. But, it also supports learning across the board – whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in everyday interactions. It’s how we help young people build character, think on their feet, and work well with others.
In 2005, we added the Adventure Pursuits Programme for learners in Grade 8 to 12. This optional programme encourages students to take on exciting (and sometimes challenging) activities that stretch their limits – from hiking and paddling to teamwork challenges and leadership tasks. It’s designed to teach both practical “hard” skills and the “soft” skills that the world needs more of: communication, grit, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a strong sense of self.
We are seeing more and more the value of this kind of experiential learning which encourages individual growth through a set of perceived-risk-challenges that require grit and determination, self-motivation, attention to detail and commitment. These experiences contribute to the growth of the whole person through developing the ‘durable skills’ of self-regulation and adaptability.
Emphasis is placed on participation, sportsmanship, manners, self-control (Emotional Intelligence), a positive competitive spirit, sound application of skills and a will to perform better.
- The child becomes a learner with more than just a paper qualification.
- The learner has an indelible experience that is marked into the long-term memory of the brain.
- The character of the learner is developed through principle-based experiences.
- The learner becomes a Leadership asset to their community and society at large.
In summary: Adventure at Lilyfontein School is to develop, in all students, the skills of self-leadership, resulting in our learners becoming people-leaders.
INTRA-CURRICULAR (COMPULSORY) ADVENTURE PROGRAMME
Each Grade is involved in both
- Adventure Days: Each class from Grade R to Grade 12 participate in 1 adventure day per term.
- Adventure Camps: Each class from Grade 1 to Grade 11 participate in an extended camp during the year, which is designed around a theme, teaching learners age-appropriate skills.
Basic outline per Grade
Grade 1 to 3: General but fundamental activities to build basic skills of problem solving, decision making and adaptability. Focus is on individual challenges, safety and group dynamics.
Grade 4 to 7: Incremental application of general skills approach with more of a focus on specific skills with greater challenges. Using the skill of self-reflection as a functional tool to cope with personal or group issues. Developing critical thinking and decision making are fundamental at this age.
Grade 8 to 12: Focus on Specific skills done per grade with an emphasis of achieving a particular goal. Practising the skill of self-reflection as a fundamental tool to use working memory in order to deal with personal or group issues. This covers skills like, Critical thinking, Adaptability, Optimism, Empathy, Being proactive and Resilience; all regarded as skills for the future.
Extra-curricular: Optional
Adventure Pursuits:
The Blue File contains a comprehensive list of all the activities which a learner can select to do, from running a marathon to paddling; from solitude to hiking; and may more. Learners earn badges and, ultimately, may qualify for their colours or honours award in Adventure Pursuits. Some of the most popular (or should I say, challenging) activities include:
- Ultimate Otter
- Solitude
- Tsitskamma Hike
- Drakensburg Hike
- Run 100 & Marathon
- MTB 500
- Mile swim
Adventure Sports:
As an alternative to the more traditional sporting options, Lilyfontein also offers adventure sports such as paddling, trail running and MTB, giving learners the ability to train year-around for adventure races which take place both at Lilyfontein and elsewhere.
