The Value of Risk in Outdoor Learning

As a leading camp and outdoor education provider, you may wonder why we advocate for children taking risks when they come to camp to play, learn, and grow. In recent years, society has become increasingly risk-averse, particularly in outdoor recreation, due to concerns over safety, litigation, and regulation. While these measures are crucial for preventing serious incidents, they have also contributed to a decline in child-led exploration and play, which are essential for development.

The truth is, children need opportunities to take calculated risks. Engaging in risky play helps them develop critical thinking skills, resilience, confidence, and independence. By providing safe yet challenging environments, we empower children to test their limits, navigate uncertainty, and develop problem-solving abilities that serve them throughout life.

What is Risky Play?

Risky play refers to thrilling and exciting activities that involve some element of risk, such as climbing, jumping, balancing, or navigating obstacles. These activities help children challenge themselves, assess risks, and push boundaries in a controlled environment.

According to research by Ellen Sandseter, an early childhood education professor in Norway, risky play is crucial for healthy physical, mental, and emotional development. Her work highlights that children who engage in appropriate risky play demonstrate greater resilience, self-confidence, and risk-assessment skills than those who do not.

Importantly, risk is not the same as danger. Dangerous play involves hazards that children cannot properly assess, leading to unnecessary injuries. A well-structured outdoor education program, like The Portsea Camp, balances these elements, ensuring children experience the benefits of risk-taking without unnecessary exposure to harm.

The “Challenge by Choice” Philosophy

At The Portsea Camp, we embrace the “Challenge by Choice” philosophy, which allows children to step outside their comfort zones at their own pace. This approach ensures that no child feels pressured or coerced into participating in an activity, but rather chooses their level of engagement based on their confidence and skill level.

By adopting this method, children build a sense of autonomy, self-efficacy, and personal responsibility. Whether they’re tackling the high ropes course, surfing, or mastering the giant swing, they learn to manage fear, evaluate risk, and develop problem-solving abilities in a supportive and structured environment.

How Risky Play Supports Healthy Development

Encouraging children to take calculated risks has numerous long-term benefits, including:

Resilience & Confidence – Overcoming challenges teaches children to cope with setbacks and persevere.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Assessing risks and making decisions enhances cognitive skills.
Physical Development – Activities like climbing and balancing improve strength, coordination, and motor skills.
Social & Emotional Growth – Navigating group challenges fosters teamwork, negotiation, and empathy.
Reduced Anxiety & Stress – Experiencing controlled risks helps children regulate emotions and build courage.

Risky Play vs. Hazardous Play: What’s the Difference?

Ensuring children engage in risky play without unnecessary hazards requires a structured approach. The following table highlights the difference between healthy risky play and hazardous play:

Category	Risky Play (Beneficial & Developmental)	Developmental Benefits	Hazardous Play (Dangerous & Unnecessary Risk)
Climbing	High ropes & abseiling/bouldering wall – With safety harnesses and trained instructors	Builds strength, coordination, problem-solving, and resilience	Climbing trees, ledges, or rock faces without safety gear or supervision
Flying Fox	Flying fox (zipline) – Using safety harnesses with trained staff	Enhances risk assessment, trust, and courage	Creating makeshift ziplines with unsafe materials
Giant Swing	Giant swing – Secured in a harness, launched by trained staff	Develops confidence, emotional regulation, and thrill management	Swinging from unsafe heights using ropes not meant for weight-bearing
Water Play	Snorkelling & kayaking – Wearing life jackets, guided by instructors	Improves water safety skills, coordination, and confidence	Snorkelling or kayaking in rough waters without supervision
Surfing & Paddleboarding	Surfing or paddleboarding in designated areas with lifeguards	Builds balance, resilience, and ocean awareness	Surfing in dangerous rips or large waves without supervision
Orienteering & Exploring	Orienteering with maps and adult guidance	Strengthens navigation skills, independence, and problem-solving	Wandering off alone into unfamiliar bushland
Raft Building	Constructing and testing rafts under supervision in shallow water	Enhances teamwork, creativity, and basic engineering skills	Using unsafe materials or rafting in deep, unmonitored waters
Constructing Bush Huts	Building bush huts with safe materials and teamwork	Develops resourcefulness, planning, and collaboration	Constructing shelters with unstable structures or sharp branches
Speed Play	Mountain bike riding – On designated trails, wearing helmets	Improves balance, coordination, and risk assessment	Riding at high speeds on steep, rocky terrain without brakes
Jumping & Bouncing	Supervised bungee & trampolines – With safety harnesses or enclosed nets	Enhances balance, coordination, and body awareness	Jumping on unstable surfaces or attempting stunts beyond skill level
Fire Play	Campfire cooking – Roasting marshmallows under supervision	Teaches responsibility, patience, and basic cooking skills	Starting uncontrolled fires or playing too close to open flames

Encouraging Risky Play in Everyday Life

While camp provides an ideal setting for structured risk-taking, parents and educators can support children’s growth and confidence by incorporating similar experiences into daily life. Here’s how:

Allow Free Play – Provide opportunities for outdoor, unstructured play where children can explore, climb, and balance.
Model Risk Assessment – Instead of saying, “Be careful,” ask, “What do you need to check before climbing that tree?”
Support Problem-Solving – When a child faces a challenge, encourage them to find solutions rather than stepping in immediately.
Embrace the “Safe as Necessary” Mindset – Aim to make environments as safe as necessary, rather than as safe as possible, to maintain opportunities for learning.

Final Thoughts

Risky play is a fundamental part of childhood that fosters confidence, resilience, and lifelong problem-solving skills. At The Portsea Camp, we champion this structured approach to adventure, ensuring children can take risks in a safe and supportive environment. By embracing healthy risk-taking, we prepare children not only for the challenges of outdoor play but for the broader uncertainties of life.

Let’s equip children with the skills, courage, and confidence to embrace life’s challenges head-on!