We hear all the time that we should get out of our comfort zones. Challenge is good for you!
When we talk about getting out of our comfort zone, what we are really aiming for is to move into our challenge zone (or growth zone). We don’t want to go so far out of our comfort zone that we end up in the panic or anxiety zone, this is where the brain goes into fight-flight-freeze and basically shuts down.
In the challenge zone is the opportunity for growth and development. It is vital that students know that when they step out of their comfort zone, there is support available when they experience struggle or risk or discomfort. Without support they risk going into the panic or anxiety zone.
Having a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset helps students to take on challenges and understand that they are learning.
Dr Carol Dweck is a lead researcher in growth mindsets for students. Her TED Talk “The power of believing that you can improve” is short, simple and powerful and definitely worth watching.
Dr Dweck explains that adults can help students to develop a growth mindset by praising wisely which means to praise the process they engage in (not praising intelligence or talent). We should also reward for the process (effort, strategies, engagement, perseverance) rather than rewarding for getting the answer right.
The website Class Dojo has an excellent range of videos including a series on explaining what a growth mindset is to kids.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and into our challenge zone is how we learn new things and experience growth. Understanding what a growth mindset is and why it is important is the first step. The next step is then ensuring support options are available to students when they are in their challenge zone.
Challenge in the outdoors
The outdoor environment is often used to get students out of their comfort zones and present them with different challenges in an environment of safety, support and respect.
At Garapine we use the Challenge by choice philosophy to encouraged students to “have a go”, but ultimately their level of involvement in a challenging activity is their choice, empowering them to make their own decisions and be responsible for their actions.
Students learn to set goals that are in neither the comfort nor the panic zone, but in a slightly uncomfortable stretch zone where the opportunity for growth and learning lies. The group recognises that the attempt is more significant than performance results, demonstrating respect for individual ideas and choices.
Curriculum
Part of the outdoor learning curriculum connection is to develop skills and knowledge to be active and safe in the outdoors. Participating in outdoor recreation is an important part of our health and wellbeing and to foster this we need to teach children how to do this safely while also creating an appreciation and enjoyment so that outdoor recreation becomes part of their healthy future.
It also allows us to use the outdoor environment safely to present challenges and encourage the growth mindset.
How we deliver challenge
Camp as a whole can be challenging. At Garapine there are a number of ways that we offer challenge:
- The physical challenge of bushwalking to the activities.
- Hiking up the hill is a lesson in perseverance, something many kids are not engaging with these days (thanks to the immediate gratification of devices).
- The mental challenge of solving problems and the critical and creative thinking required to complete activities.
- The emotional challenge of being away from home, of resolving conflict with peers and managing anticipation and excitement.
- Support is always available – this might be a vehicle lift back up the hill (some of us are not as fit as we used to be) or some extra time to allow that student to have another attempt at the challenge.
- Safety – some challenges have risks which are mitigated through thorough risk assessment procedures and protocols.
We know that camp is a challenge and as our society becomes accustomed to less physical activity and more device addiction, more and more students feel unable to take on this challenge. But a growth mindset tells us this means we need camp more than ever.
If it’s time to try something new, for the real growth and development, contact us about a camp experience for your students. We understand every group is different and that’s why we tailor our programs to suit the group.