Building Transformative Outdoor Learning Through NGO Partnerships
Hazel Murray
Adam Targett
How do you ensure that service learning truly fulfills a need?
How can science be integrated into service learning?
At The Learning Project, we are proud to have been addressing these concerns since 2011, focusing on developing safe, needs-assessed service learning experiences which teach practical skills, encourage scientific inquiry, and have a lasting impact on both the students taking part and the project they are engaged with.
Working alongside NGO and government agencies, our service development team has completed over 200 successful volunteer projects throughout Vietnam with international students from Grades 6 to 12. Our partners include over 20 NGO and local government groups such as the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (Leipzig Zoo) and Action-on-Poverty.
In our session, we will explore the difficulties faced by outdoor education organisations in developing service programs. Through a scenario workshop, we will discuss actionable methods for developing robust, long-term volunteer program foundations that are suitable for unskilled, inexperienced students of various ages and group sizes.
Key areas will include:
- Community development projects:
- Limitations and the keys to success
- How to conduct a needs assessment
- Wildlife conservation projects:
- Bear, primate, tiger, and bird conservation science
- The cornerstones of conservation and connections to curriculum
- Field science as service learning
About Hazel
As the General Manager at The Learning Project in Vietnam I work on designing and delivering high-quality educational experiences for schools, with a strong focus on safety, learning outcomes, and meaningful engagement.
My background is in education and experiential learning, and I’m passionate about learning that happens beyond the classroom. I work closely with our program development, operations, and guiding teams to ensure our trips are age-appropriate, well-structured, and pedagogically sound. A key part of my role is supporting staff to continuously improve our activities and systems so each program balances challenge, reflection, and enjoyment.
I also collaborate directly with schools and teachers to tailor trips that align with curriculum goals while remaining practical and well-organised. Living and working in Vietnam has reinforced my belief in responsible educational travel that benefits students, educators, and local communities alike.
About Adam
Adam Targett is an experiential education specialist with a background in science, design, and ethical service learning. Holding a BSc in Environmental Science and training in woodwork and product design, he brings a practical, systems-based approach to developing learning experiences that prioritise sustainability, community benefit, and long-term impact.
With over 15 years of experience in curriculum design and teaching, and eight years of project management at The Learning Project, Adam has worked closely with NGOs and community partners to design service-learning programmes grounded in needs assessment, risk management, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Adam also has extensive outdoor education experience, including creating and mapping Duke of Edinburgh Award routes and leading multi-day expeditions focused on leadership, navigation, and environmental awareness.
