An Outdoor Education Programme Building Resilience in Western Cape Learners

Photo Credit: Supplied by Jacqui Mills from Everything is Written

Bridges Retreat has, through its outdoor educational camp experiences, proven that with the right environment, resilience isn’t just a trait – it’s a skill that can be taught.

Franschhoek, South Africa (02 April 2026) – When given the right tools in a nurturing and developmental environment, our children are empowered to get on the right track – and the data proves it.

This is according to Bridges Retreat, a fully funded outdoor education programme in the Franschhoek Valley that empowers learners who would otherwise lack access to such transformative opportunities. By focusing on cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth, the programme sets a foundation for lifelong development.

The numbers of a recent pre- and post-assessment of under-resourced Western Cape schools back this up, showing measurable shifts in resilience, trust, and collaboration over the course of the three-year programme.

Key Findings at a Glance

Looking at key findings at a glance, the data shows improvements in teamwork and a positive shift in friendship and social connection. Post-assessment, 64% of learners said their approach to a team challenge was to make a plan before starting, and 57% named teamwork as the single value they would carry back to school.

“Monitoring and evaluation in this sector is a journey, and we are committed to taking it seriously. We know that resilience, trust and the capacity to work with others are foundational to whether a child succeeds – not just at school, but in life. What this data shows us is that these qualities can be deliberately built, and that the shifts are visible and measurable. That matters enormously, both for the children we serve and for the broader conversation about what education outcomes we choose to track.” Catherine Janse van Rensburg, Fundraising Manager, Bridges Retreat

Educator feedback gathered alongside the assessment data tells a consistent story.

Photo Credit: Supplied by Jacqui Mills from Everything is Written

Learners who struggle most in the classroom – withdrawn, disruptive or disengaged – frequently show markedly different behaviour at camp. Teachers across multiple schools describe children stepping into leadership roles, forming cross-cultural friendships, and developing the confidence to participate and contribute, often for the first time.

The programme grounds its approach in established research. Psychologist Ann Masten’s concept of “ordinary magic” (the idea that resilience emerges naturally in stable, supportive environments) and Albert Bandura’s work on self-efficacy both inform how Bridges structures the learner experience across its three-year Grade 5 to 7 journey.

The results come at a time when the education sector is increasingly grappling with how to develop and measure the social and emotional foundations that underpin academic success.

Principals from all participating schools confirmed the programme aligns directly with their school improvement priorities, with several noting its impact on discipline, leadership development and the ability of learners to resist negative community influences, including peer pressure and gangsterism.

“The camp has given our learners the ability to be more confident and to overcome their barriers – and to say no when coerced into the wrong situation,” shared the Principal of Petunia Primary School.