OFFSEAS 2026 is coming to town, with a brand new theme of the year: Out There Together! Building Sustainable Programs for All

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OFFSEAS 2026 is coming to town, with a brand new theme of the year: Out There Together! Building Sustainable Programs for All

OFFSEAS 2025 was phenomenal – the educators, leaders, providers and experts from the field all gathered at Bangkok Patana School back in April 2025 – all for the sake of advancing outdoor education for learners in school.

And now, we’re in the midst of preparing for OFFSEAS 2026, and launching a new theme for the new edition: 

Out There Together! Building Sustainable Programs for All

Why this theme? Because “sustainability” matters more than ever in outdoor and experiential education. And it’s not just about protecting nature – though that’s always at the heart of what we do. It’s also about people, programs, and the future.

For OFFSEAS 2026, we want to explore what sustainability really means for our community here in Southeast Asia. Here are some of the ways we’ll looking at this together:

For Our People and Organizations

How do we build programs that endure and uplift? We’ll discuss innovative models for supporting the entire ecosystem – from large organizations to the local guides, indigenous communities, and instructors who are the heart of our work. We want to create responsible programs that foster the involvement and development of local communities. We’ll explore how to leverage technology and AI to automate admin, streamline logistics, focus on what matters most: deep, meaningful people-and-place-based experiences.

For Every Body & Every Background

True resilience means nothing if our programs aren’t for everyone. We’ll confront how to break down barriers to access for people of all abilities, economic & cultural backgrounds. We’re committed to advancing conversations around inclusion.

For Our Natural Classrooms

Protecting the great outdoors is non-negotiable. We’ll discuss strategies for minimizing our impact, practicing Leave No Trace principles at an organizational level, and instilling a powerful conservation ethic in every participant to safeguard these spaces.

For the Next Generation

More than ever, young people need the outdoors. They need chances to unplug, take risks, build resilience, and discover new ways of thinking. Our programs can give them that – and more in an age of anxiety and screen saturation, how do we make the outdoors a vital space for the youth? We want to go beyond just getting kids outside. We’ll want to encourage design thinking, explore managed risks, and develop resilience – all through the empowerment of outdoor education.

Out There Together! is more than a theme. It’s a call to action. None of us can build sustainable programs alone, but together, we can create something lasting.

Join us at OFFSEAS 2026, 25-26 April at Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur.

Let’s go Out There, Together.

Martin Foakes
Chairperson, OFFSEAS Committee

OFFSEAS 2026 Heads to Kuala Lumpur With A New Theme: “Out There Together!” Building Sustainable Programs For All

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OFFSEAS 2026 – a conference for outdoor & experiential learning enthusiats is back with new conference venue at Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur.

OFFSEAS proudly announces Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur as the venue for its 2026 edition, marking an exciting milestone in the conference’s continued year-on-year expansion. With a blend of enhanced facilities, central location, and immersive learning environments, this prestigious venue reflects OFFSEAS’ commitment to delivering even greater value to the outdoor and experiential learning community.

Continuing the Momentum with new Conference Theme
Following the highly successful 2025 conference, OFFSEAS enters 2026 with renewed energy and growth via the new theme of: Out There Together! Building Sustainable Programs For All. The move to Kuala Lumpur reinforces the drive to foster deeper connections, in another country in South East Asia and reach more educators and outdoor education providers that share OFFSEAS’ mission to make the outdoor and experiential learning accessible to all young people.

OFFSEAS 2026 represents a defining moment for outdoor education in Southeast Asia. Hosting it in Malaysia will enable us to broaden our impact, advancing sustainable practices for the community.”
— Martin Foakes, Chair of OFFSEAS Committee

Who Should Attend
OFFSEAS brings together a vibrant mix of outdoor education trip organizers, providers, trainer-facilitators, and school educators – all passionate about enhancing experiential learning in schools. Whether you’re focused on curriculum design, risk management, outdoor program delivery, or well-being in outdoor contexts, there’s something here for you.

OFFSEAS 2026 Conference Snapshot
• Pre-conference Workshops (22–24 April 2026): Intensive, skill-driven day-long sessions designed for deep dives and hands-on learning.
• Main Conference (25–26 April 2026): A dynamic mix of keynotes, interactive workshops, panel discussions, exhibit fair, and a networking social to ignite collaboration.
More about OFFSEAS 2026.

Flashback to 2025: Insightful Sessions That Fuel Our Future
Last year’s conference featured a diverse lineup of 45 engaging sessions. A few standout topics were:

• It’s Not What You Think That Matters: Effectively Communicating Risk to Parents
• EducateInNature: Building Sequential Experiential Programs with Curriculum Connections
• Shaping Outdoor Experiences to Make Them Meaningful
• Data and Automation in Outdoor Education: Revolutionizing Operations and Communicating Impact
• Contemporary Approaches to Safety: Assessing and Managing Risks Using Complex Systems Theory

These sessions exemplified how OFFSEAS bridges emerging pedagogical ideas, operational excellence, and student-centered well-being. Apply to speak at OFFSEAS 2026

Call for Sponsors & Exhibitors
As OFFSEAS advances into this landmark year at Garden International School, we invite visionary organizations to join as sponsors and exhibitors. Opportunities range from exhibition booths, tables, brand visibility in marketing materials, to premium spotlight packages. Partnering with OFFSEAS is a chance to showcase your services and commitment to the outdoor learning community.

About OFFSEAS & 21st Century Learning (21CL)
OFFSEAS is the South East Asia’s premier forum for outdoor and experiential education – proudly produced by 21st Century Learning (21CL). As an educational events leader, 21CL curates conferences that inspire, connect, and uplift learning communities across Asia. Their portfolio includes pioneering gatherings like PHASE Asia Pacific, AI & Future of Education, International Educators Institute Asia and the renowned 21st Century Learning Hong Kong.