Through a variety of adventure activities we will encourage all students to develop a knowledge and acceptance of their own strengths and weaknesses and that of the participating group. Students will be challenged by the uncertainty of the unknown, will be reliant upon the trust of others and they will experience learning in an outdoor setting.

Philosophy on education and adventure

ADVENTURE: Definitions of the word conjure up a variety of different images:
‘A bold undertaking in which hazards are to be met and the issue hangs upon unforseen events’, ‘The encountering of risks’, ‘a hazardous enterprise’, or simply ‘A remarkable experience’.

We think that adventure is truly a remarkable experience. Adventure touches lives in ways that are unique. It challenges, changes, thrills, heals, and empowers those who embrace it. It magnifies moments and makes for powerful memories.

Southbound Adventures is an organisation committed to providing safe, high quality experiential opportunities for personal growth and development. We seek to provide a stimulating environment in which to grow individually and interpersonally through personal achievement and shared experience.

We are about learning: learning to understand the limits that we have set for ourselves, learning to take responsibility for ourselves. We are about change, and the risk that accompanies it. We are about growth, discovery, and the empowerment that comes with finding inner resources of personal strength through a determination to accept challenges. We are about fun: people coming together from many backgrounds, putting aside barriers and limitations to join together in cooperation, support, and enjoyment.

But mostly we are about a way of living - vigorous, experiential, ‘give it all you got’ living, where success is an attitude, obstacles are challenges, and every day is an opportunity for yet another great adventure.

Challenge by choice

Success in our programs is determined not by accomplishment, but by the willingness to try and
the personal discovery that accompanies it. We have adopted a challenge by choice philosophy, as developed and advocated by Project Adventure Inc.

This means that while participation in all activities is encouraged, no one is compelled to undertake an event that he or she is unwilling to attempt. We encourage participants to set their own goals; when they come up against a limit, we help them examine the limit or redefine those goals. We find that removing the pressure to perform results in a natural curiosity and an increased desire to try. Pleasant anticipation replaces anxiety and, perhaps even more significantly, group support replaces individual competition.