Established in May 1970 Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre is nestled in Victoria's Wombat State Forest and provides the ideal setting for adventure, environmental, creative and developmental programs aimed at extending the abilities of students with special needs. Trained specialist staff - attached to the Centre - develop and implement educational programs throughout the academic year - as well as providing assistance to visiting staff planning their Blackwood Camps

As a registered charity and not for profit organisation, Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre is associated with Victorian Government Special Schools - predominantly metropolitan Melbourne - and annually offer a variety of outdoor experiences and challenges to:-

• Approximately 1,000 Victorian students with special needs;
• Students between the ages of 5 - 18;
• Students with a variety of different special needs; and
• Students with both physical and intellectual disabilities.

• The Centre is spread over three distinct accommodation sites - within walking distance of the picturesque town of Blackwood. These sites provide a variety of accommodation options which challenge students to adapt to experiences outside their usual comfort zone, including:-
  
  Group Bunk Style Accommodation Dormitories;
  Safari Style Tent Accommodation; and
  Maintaining fires to provide heating.
  

Complementing and utilising the natural beauty of the property are a variety of activity sites designed to challenge students both individually and within a team environment to further their development personally, emotionally and physically. These sites include:-

• Low Ropes;
• Bush Cooking;
• Yabbying;
• Orienteering;
• The Imagination Trail;
• Frisbee Golf; and
• Bush Hut Making.

The two major highlights for the year both involve mountain bike riding:-

• The Alpine Ride - a 100km ride along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail; and
• The Super Ride - a grueling 43km ride through the hills of the Wombat State Forest.

The Blackwood Mineral Springs are only a short walk form the Accommodation Sites and also within the township of Blackwood are the store, hotel, restaurant and art and craft shops. Further afield lie the historic areas of Trentham and Daylesford and the beautiful Lerderderg State Park with its scenic views and graded walking tracks.

The Victorian Government Specialist Schools that own and operate the Centre make use of the facilities for the majority of the school year, but private weekend and school holiday bookings are usually available if planned well in advance.

Throughout its history, The Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre has provided a fantastic experience for thousands of students with special needs. Blackwood is Beautiful!




Blackwood Township Website                                                           Blackwood Township Newsletter