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!
