This interactive presentation asks: to what extent is outdoor education a Western-centric idea, and what does this mean in Southeast Asia? In Malaysia, outdoor education has strong colonial roots: Scouting, cadet corps, and Outward Bound were introduced under British rule as tools for discipline, loyalty, and nation-shaping.

Today, outdoor education remains strongly influenced by Western frameworks, from summer camps to certification systems. While these provide structure, their dominance can overshadow local traditions and raise questions about how to balance global standards with cultural perspectives.

Asian traditions both support and resist outdoor learning. Islamic teachings encourage swimming, archery, and horse riding; Taoist and Buddhist practices emphasize reflection in nature. Yet Confucian ideals privilege scholarship over physical labor, while beliefs about spirits in forests and rivers frame wilderness as risky. These perspectives help explain parental skepticism toward programs that stress risk-taking and adventure.

The challenge is to reframe outdoor education in Southeast Asia: drawing on local narratives and values to create approaches that are more resonant, culturally legitimate, and empowering.