outdoor education
Outdoor Education at Michaelhouse
One would have to traverse vast distances to discover anything quite like the natural setting which Michaelhouse enjoys and our school capitalizes on a myriad of opportunities to include the environment as a critical part of our learning. The outdoor programme for our E (Grade 8), D (Grade 9) and C Block (Grade 10) boys keys into the major advantages of a Michaelhouse education: fostering curiosity, resilience and belonging. The additional benefits of environmental awareness, and cultural understanding are fundamental to the journey or personal growth which our boys enjoy while they are challenged physically and mentally miles away from the home comforts of daily school life.
Michaelhouse believes that outdoor education is essential for holistic development, shaping our boys into thoughtful, capable, and environmentally conscious individuals.
E Block
For many boys who arrive at Michaelhouse, their days in the wide open spaces of the Balgowan Valley are their first opportunity to spend any significant time in the ‘great outdoors’.
The compulsory Backyard Adventures Programme gradually immerses our Grade 8 boys – seasoned outdoorsmen and newcomers alike – into our reserve for day and overnight adventures both during the school day and on certain closed weekends.
Our boys develop an appreciation for the environment whilst learning basic campcraft skills like tying knots, selecting a site, erecting a tent, preparing drinking water and simple meals, basic orienteering and teamwork.
This immersion is in preparation for the E Block Camp which takes place in the third quarter and involves a more significant amount of time in our reserve. The camp is also a staging point for the traditional rite of passage which is the trek to Inhlosane, a 56km round trip from the school to the top of this legendary landmark and back.
Boys will enjoy an opportunity later in their Michaelhouse careers to voluntarily complete the odyssey in the traditional one day. The prospect of writing their names in a book alongside the thousands of Michaelhouse boys who came before them who completed the odyssey in less than 24 hours holds significant appeal.
“We got a good look at what lies outside of school - a real outdoor experience instead of a quick look at Google Earth! We realised how lucky we are to be surrounded by such beauty.”
D Block
The Michaelhouse D Block Pondoland Experience is an immersive outdoor and cultural journey designed to introduce our boys to the rich heritage, environment, and traditions of the Pondoland region.
It takes place in Msikaba and Rhole, where boys roll up their sleeves for a week long experience of hiking, cultural exchanges, and environmental learning. The Pondoland excursion remains a transformative experience for all who participate.
Our boys live with and interact with Mpondo communities, learning about traditional dress and music, ceremonies, hospitality, customary laws and practices and entirely different ways of being and knowing. They explore forest and grassland ecosystems, engage with subsistence fisherfolk, and learn about indigenous plants and biodiversity, all the while developing their outdoor skills and preparing themselves for the physical challenges of the C Block Journey.
“The impact of this experience on our boys and our staff went far deeper than I could ever have imagined. It is almost impossible to quantify. I think that was the closest to seeing a type of learning experience where inclusivity, diversity and transformation was more than just ticking boxes, but a genuine shift of being, knowledge and understanding between people of diverse groups and backgrounds.”
C Block
The C Block Journey is a demanding outdoor experience marking the shift from junior to senior roles at school. Over several days, boys hike, cycle, paddle, and spend 40 hours in solitude across the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Central Drakensberg—without watches or devices.
The journey covers 150km of cycling, 80km of hiking, and 50km of paddling. It builds resilience, self-discipline, camaraderie, and a deeper appreciation for home and school life.
Handwritten letters from home, read during solitude, often become emotional turning points. Safety is central. All expeditions involve risk assessments and trained staff to manage tough conditions, including cold and snow. The journey concludes with a Chapel service, marking the end of this significant rite of passage.
A boy recalled: “Well, on our first day it was about zero degrees as we paddled across some massive dam into a head wind with three foot waves crashing over the bow of our boat only to realize that we still had to paddle 20km with what felt like a stone in the back of the boat. Eventually, we were about 200m from camp when Warwick said, “Hey Phil, I think we should do the rapid instead of the detour.” That didn’t end well, with Warwick swimming alongside and me being bashed against rocks and trees along the bank with a boat riding me instead of me riding it. After we managed to get the boat back under control and find our paddles, he sits down next to me and said, “That wasn’t so bad, was it!” I wanted to punch him that day, but the truth is that I wouldn’t have wanted to paddle that boat with anyone else.”
outdoor education
Beyond the Classroom
At Michaelhouse, the outdoors is more than a setting — it’s part of how we learn, grow, and explore. From birding to biking, our reserve offers endless ways to get outside, get moving, and get inspired.
birding
Michaelhouse has always been a happy home for keen birders. Our very active club were recently lucky enough to become just the thirty third group to observe the elusive White-throated Bee-eater. Our 680 hectare reserve which overlooks the school provides both Natal mist belt and indigenous bush habitats where Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, and African Grass Owl have been spotted.
camping
Just a few minutes’ walk from your dorm you will find yourself in the great outdoors. Our 680 hectare reserve is a paradise for camping enthusiasts. Our lapa offers solar showers, compost toilets, and a fire pit if you’re not up for roughing it too much. Alternatively pitch your tent a little further off the beaten track.
fishing
The Michaelhouse fly fishing society has been a part of our school since the very beginning in 1896, and our fishermen have gone on to represent South Africa on the banks of rivers and lakes around the world during that time. The club is extremely active and enjoys access to miles and miles of rivers and dams in the Midlands. If a leisurely cast for bass after school or on long lazy Sunday afternoons is your thing then the spring fed van Der Westhyzen Dam which is a five minute walk from your dorm is going to become one of your favourite places at Michaelhouse.
hiking
Our Outdoor Wilderness Society which arranges regular expeditions, outdoor education programme in Grades 8 to 10 and our backyard adventure programme in Grades 8 and 9 are sure to whet your appetite for adventure.
nature reserve
The Michaelhouse Reserve which is open to every boy at our school is just a few minutes’ walk from the school buildings. Roughly 600 hectares of pristine mist belt grassland, indigenous bush, spring fed dams and streams, teeming with bird and wildlife are on your doorstep.
mountain biking
Mountain biking is a popular pastime at Michaelhouse with miles and miles of single track, rock gardens, contour paths and forest trails literally in your back yard. Our nature reserve which is a few minutes’ ride form the school buildings is the backdrop to hours of adventure. Did we mention the views?