The Crossing Land – Truly Sustainable – A One Class Camp
Welcome to The Crossing Land Education Centre, a truly sustainable camp designed to immerse students in experiential outdoor and environmental education. We don’t just talk about sustainability – we live it.
Our Permaculturally-designed property hosts a single class of up to 28 students at a time, which fosters an exceptional learning environment. Accomodation in our converted train carriage bunk rooms is comfortable and heated.
Curriculum links
At The Crossing, student deep dive into sustainability: one of the cross-curriculum priorities of the Australian Curriculum. In particular, at The Crossing students engage in systems thinking that emphasises the importance of networks of connection both ecologically and socially.
Students can learn about the development of different worldviews and way of living, in particular the “dependence of living things on healthy ecosystems, and [to] value the diversity and social justice… essential for achieving sustainability” (Australian Curriculum, Sustainability v.8.4). In addition, they learn about about transformative actions needed at local, community, and international levels, underpinned by core values, that can improve global social, environmental, and economic outcomes. As a permaculturally-designed outdoor education centre, we embed the core ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share across our programs.
These ethics have been recently identified by the Australian Curriculum as crucial for sustainable development, but they have been core to The Crossing for 25 years.
What does a program at The Crossing actually look like?
Programs at The Crossing are built around a combination of the following:
Permaculture day: based around our organic gardens, food forests, and kitchen, students learn how to reuse materials, work and live on a rural property, and utilise our sustainable systems.
Wilderness Coast Walk: The Crossing is fortunate to be close to some of NSW’s most stunning coastline. We can organise day walks for students to experience wild coastal nature.
Fire-retardant design: this is a unique feature of Crossing programs. Our fire-retardant design education developed in the wake of the Black Summer Bushfires. Students learn about the ecological impacts of fire, the importance of appropriate fire management, and strategies to prepare themselves and their communities for disaster.
Landcare and canoeing: our Woodville Landcare project is on a farm adjacent to The Crossing but across the Bermagui River! On the short canoe trip to the Woodville Landcare Project, students compare the natural forest on one side of the river to the regeneration on the other; learn about the impact of agriculture; and witness the importance of native forest. They then get to contribute to the restoration of a NSW coastal forest which links two national parks.
Canoe journey to Bermagui: Bermagui is 7km from The Crossing by river. It’s a fantastic journey through a beautiful estuarine environment. We recommend this for students from Canberra/Wollongong who can leave The Crossing by canoe on the final morning (approx. 9am) then depart Bermagui by coach (approx. 1pm) to return to school by 5pm.
Adventurous journey: adventurous journeys at The Crossing are one or two nights of remote camping. This can be supported by our camping trailer. Our qualified and experienced staff faciltiate high quality educational experiences that skirt the edge of the Black Summer fire where students witness firsthand the devastation of uncontrollable bushfires. We also walk through beautiful unburnt rainforest gullies and coastal wilderness. Students can learn navigation on our off-track walks while they develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Sustainability presentations: the practical sustainability education component of our programs is reinforced by a series of age-appropriate presentations on topics such as: climate reality, local impacts of the Black Summer Fires, Permaculture and sustainable design, and more.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book in?
Please make contact with Josh by email with your enquiry. (josh@thecrossingland.org.au)
Do you arrange transport to and from The Crossing?
Transport to and from The Crossing is normally organised by individual groups.
However, we do have 14 seats on our minibus and can organise pick ups/drop offs from public transport. V-Line and Premier Motor Service buses from Melbourne and Sydney, come to Bermagui. Buses to Canberra come to Narooma or Bega.
How much do programs at The Crossing cost?
Program cost varies depending on arrival and departure times, pick up point, number of days and other factors. One accompanying teacher is free of charge. Please contact josh@thecrossingland.org.au for a quote
How many teachers need to accompany a group?
Project Director Dean Turner is a qualified teacher and we can supply qualified and experienced staff to meet appropriate ratios. Most schools send at least one teacher as a school representative to ensure student behavioural standards. Included in your program fee is one teacher free of charge. If you choose to send more than one teacher we charge the standard student price for each extra teacher.
Is the teacher required to participate?
We do things as a community at The Crossing. We ask that teachers participate in the adventurous journey, L
Are the The Crossing staff sufficiently trained and experienced?
Yes they are. We have a mixture of trained outdoor professionals and staff with experience in a myriad of different areas. The Crossing staff members meet relevant ratios with appropriate training and experience for the activities. Learn more about our staff team here.
How is The Crossing prepared for bushfire and extreme or catastrophic days?
The Crossing Risk Management Plan covers a wide range of scenarios, including
The Crossing has specific procedures to manage bushfire. These procedures have been developed sourcing reference information from the Department of Education and other outdoor education providers.
Extreme and catastrophic fire days are declared by 5 pm on the previous day by the Rural Fire Service (RFS). The school will be informed of
On catastrophic days no students will be at The Crossing or on a journey – they will leave prior to the day and remain off the property for that day – in a safe zone in Bermagui. Young people on a journey will also be taken off that journey before extreme days and returned to the Crossing. Prior to catastrophic
Severe days will be assessed and a coastal program may be implemented depending on wind directions and timings.
The Crossing has a large capacity fire trailer and rooftop sprinklers.
