Contact Us
The Outdoor Experience
Bush Hut
110 Studley Park Road
Kew VIC 3101
(Melways ref: 2D, F10)
Tel: (03) 9855 2633
Fax: (03) 9855 1425
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The Outdoor Experience offers a range of Outdoor Adventure Intervention programs for young people aged 15 - 25 years.  TOE is based at the Bush Hut, a heritage listed house surrounded by native bushland in Kew, an inner Eastern suburb of Melbourne.

Bush Adventure Therapy (Core) Program
TOE's Bush Adventure Therapy Program (Core) takes small groups of young people on extended wilderness journeys and ventures to some of the most remote places in Victoria. The program is for young people who have, or have had, issues with alcohol and/or substance use. This program provides numerous and significant opportunities for participants to develop healthy relationships with self, others and the environment.

Core is an intensive 6-week program which incorporates a challenging 11-day wilderness journey in bushwalking, ski-touring, or rafting (depending on the season and conditions). During the six weeks, participants set personal goals for the program; learn teamwork; gain an understanding of many aspects of "safety"; take up the challenges of outdoor adventure; acquire living skills; enjoy a sense of health and well being; and are encouraged to take control and make decisions about the programming. Young people are supported to deal with and reflect upon the difficult life circumstances that may have brought them to TOE.  These programs assist young people to recognise their own strengths and to make changes that are valuable in everyday life.  TOE runs four Core programs per year, and referrals can be made by self (young person), family, friends, and other community/government agencies.  Core programs are government funded, so there is no cost to participants.

Community Adventure Programs (CAP)
CAP programs are tailored to meet the particular needs of an already organised or identified group. TOE develops the tailored program in collaboration with community agencies, focusing on adventure, healthy living and the outdoors. Programs may involve bushwalking, rock climbing, rafting canoeing, caving, or cross country skiing (season dependant).

Programs are tailored to suit the needs and aims of your group: 1 day workshops; 1 day adventures; 2-5 day / 1-4 overnight trips or journeys; extended remote journeys.

The CAP program offers opportunities for young people to connect with nature, to develop teamwork skills, to experience health and wellbeing, and to have some fun! There is an expectation that the referring agency staff will support and be directly involved in any CAP program. CAP programs are subsidised by TOE, but do attrect a fee for service to cover costs. For more information, please contact the Program Coordinator at TOE.