A major study from The University of Notre Dame Australia has found that outdoor adventure education plays a powerful role in supporting the mental health and personal development of young people. The research, published in the Journal of Adolescence, highlights how programs that take students out of the classroom and into unfamiliar natural environments can build resilience, confidence and stronger social bonds.
The Journal of Adolescence is one of the most prestigious publications in its field, making this a significant achievement for the research team and an important contribution to the outdoor education sector.
Led by Notre Dame researcher Dr Michael Down, the study captured the voices of students and experienced outdoor education professionals from across Perth. Through focus groups and interviews, the team set out to identify what young people value most in these programs, and what makes the biggest difference to their wellbeing.
What they discovered challenges common assumptions.
"It wasn't the high ropes or the white-water rafting that left the biggest impression," said Dr Down. "It was the relationships they formed; the moments they were given responsibility and the sense of freedom they felt in the natural environment, that's what stayed with them."
Students described the experience as a reset. Many spoke about the chance to escape the stress of school life, form unexpected friendships and learn more about themselves through challenge and reflection. Teachers saw the impact too, with many observing noticeable growth in confidence, independence and group cohesion over the course of the programs.
The study also revealed a clear appetite among students for more autonomy. While teachers must maintain safety and structure, the research suggests that even small opportunities for leadership, such as navigating a route or setting up camp, can offer important personal breakthroughs.
"Being allowed to try, fail and try again was something the students deeply valued," said Dr Down. "That kind of learning is difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom."
However, the research also raises questions about access. All the participating schools were independent and well-resourced, with the capacity to run expansive outdoor programs. Students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are far less likely to have these opportunities.
"There is a real opportunity gap here," said Dr Down. "Outdoor adventure education is not just a nice-to-have. It can be a core strategy for improving wellbeing, building resilience and supporting mental health, especially for young people who may not be thriving in more conventional educational settings."
The findings are already gaining attention across the education and youth wellbeing sectors and are expected to inform future approaches to program design and delivery. For Notre Dame, the research affirms its commitment to applied, socially engaged teaching and research scholarship that supports young Australians in real and practical ways.
