About Us

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HISTORY

OFFSEAS was started in 2011 by a collective of outdoor education educators from international schools across South East Asia. Driven by a shared vision to connect, learn, and exchange best practices, this passionate group of educators established OFFSEAS as a platform for advancing the field of outdoor and experiential learning in the region.

Over the past decade, OFFSEAS has evolved into the must-attend annual gathering for outdoor education professionals throughout Southeast Asia. The conference brings together an engaged community of educators, school leaders, activity providers, and industry experts to build connections, drive innovation, and redefine the very boundaries of outdoor learning.

Through an agenda packed with inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and enriching networking opportunities, OFFSEAS empowers its participants to unlock new possibilities and deliver transformative learning experiences for students across the region.

CONSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT

As an organisation, OFFSEAS is committed to promoting and enhancing outdoor learning and education in South East Asian schools. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all aspects of our work. We uphold the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and ethics in all our outdoor learning programs and provide support, training, and resources for outdoor leaders and educators. We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable, and equitable future for all within the South East Asian outdoor education community.

COMMITMENTS

  • OUTDOOR STANDARDS

    OFFSEAS is committed to upholding and supporting its network to maintain the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and ethics in its outdoor learning programs. We are guided by the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment, respecting the natural environment and local communities, and promoting sustainable practices.

    We recognize that outdoor learning programs must be adapted to the specific needs and context of South East Asian schools, and we aim to develop our standards and best practices that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of outdoor learning in this region. We also believe in continuous improvement and will work to ensure that our standards and practices evolve to meet the changing needs of our community.

  • SUPPORT FOR OUTDOOR LEADERS AND EDUCATORS

    OFFSEAS recognizes the critical role that outdoor leaders and educators play in delivering high-quality outdoor learning experiences. We are committed to providing support and facilitating training opportunities, and resources for outdoor leaders and educators in South East Asian schools.

    We are inspired by a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning for outdoor educators. We aim to provide a range of professional development opportunities, including training workshops and networking opportunities. We also aim to provide access to resources and support to help outdoor educators integrate outdoor learning into the curriculum and promote the benefits of outdoor learning to school leaders, parents, and the wider community.

  • SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND STEWARDSHIP

    OFFSEAS recognizes the importance of sustainable development and stewardship of the natural environment. We believe that outdoor learning can be a powerful tool for promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability by fostering a deep connection and respect for nature and inspiring individuals to take action to protect the environment.

    As an organisation, we are committed to promoting sustainable practices in all our outdoor learning programs. We also aim to promote sustainable practices in the schools we work with, encouraging the adoption of environmentally responsible policies and practices.

    We recognize that sustainable development and stewardship require a long-term perspective and a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. As such, we aim to continually evaluate and improve our sustainability practices and to work with our community of outdoor leaders and educators to promote sustainable practices in outdoor learning and education. We believe that by working together with outdoor leaders, we can create a sustainable future for all and inspire future generations to become responsible stewards of the natural world.

  • COMMITMENT TO DEIJ

    At OFFSEAS, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of our work. We recognize that access to outdoor education has historically been limited by systemic inequalities and biases, and we strive to address these issues by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our policies, and practices.

    We are guided by a commitment to promoting social and environmental justice through outdoor learning. We believe that outdoor learning can be a powerful tool for promoting social justice by providing opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage with nature and develop a sense of place, connection, and stewardship. We also recognize the importance of promoting environmental justice by protecting and preserving the natural environment and promoting sustainable practices.

OFFSEAS COMMUNITY

The community comprises several groups that form a strong and supportive group that is committed to outdoor education in the region. By working together, they are able to share resources, expertise, and best practices to ensure that outdoor education is safe, engaging, and effective for all participants. Through their collective efforts, the OFFSEAS community is helping to build a brighter future for the children and young people of Southeast Asia.

  • Schools and Associated Teaching and Leadership Staff

  • Outdoor Activity Providers and Vendors

  • Risk Management and Health Specialist Providers

  • Individual Community Members

OFFSEAS COMMITTEE

The community comprises several groups that form a strong and supportive group that is committed to outdoor education in the region. By working together, they are able to share resources, expertise, and best practices to ensure that outdoor education is safe, engaging, and effective for all participants. Through their collective efforts, the OFFSEAS community is helping to build a brighter future for the children and young people of Southeast Asia.

Martin Foakes

Martin Foakes

Board Chair, OFFSEAS

Martin is an experienced and respected Outdoor Education and Adventure Consultant who was previously attached to the Tanglin Trust School, Singapore as the Head of Outdoor Education. He has a long history of developing and delivering inspirational outdoor and adventure experiences for students of all ages in the international Outdoor Education arena.

Graham Wardle

Graham Wardle

Vice Chair, OFFSEAS

Graham is a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in various organizations and educational sectors across the globe. He has worked with National Centers for Sport, National Governing Bodies and International Schools in Asia. Graham has been an instrumental figure in promoting industry best practices and providing a range of organizations with technical advisory services and outdoor education consultancy.

PJ d’Rozario

PJ d’Rozario

Head of Outdoor Education, Bangkok Patana School

P-J. is a passionate teacher, coach, runner and adventurer and has travelled much of the world. P-J. has taught in both the UK and internationally. Currently the Head of Outdoor Education at Bangkok Patana School, and previously the Director of the Co-Curriculum at Shrewsbury International School, Thailand. Experienced in a myriad of roles; managing both an outdoor residential/week without walls curriculum and large Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme. P-J. is a stalwart for ‘wilderness therapy’ for young people even more so during the post Covid era and the need for resilience in action.

Jo Clark

Jo Clark

Outdoor Education Lead, St Andrews International School Green Valley

Jo has led and inspired students in over 20 countries on remote expeditions across six continents, with expeditions climbing to the top of Borneo, to trekking through Ladakh. Her expertise lays in teaching Languages and Outdoor Education, in settings that extended from the Caribbean Islands, across the Himalayas, to the jungles of Thailand.

Rob Carmichael

Rob Carmichael

Director of Outdoor Education, UWC Thailand

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Rob has spent his entire career working in the education, both in the classroom and outdoors. Rob is currently working as the Director of Outdoor Education at UWC Thailand where he employs his expertise in outdoor program design and delivery, including both inter-disciplinary outdoor learning and leading participants of all ages and abilities through challenging environments, including multi-day expeditions.

Catherine Siew

Catherine Siew

Outdoor Education Specialist, Tanglin Trust School

Catherine is passionate about connecting with nature and the great outdoors. As a professional, she has a wealth of experience developing and guiding outdoor experiential programs for youth, with a focus on developing wilderness skills and transferable life skills. In her current role, Catherine organizes and leads outdoor education programs for K-12 students, including the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. Catherine enjoys traveling and has a particular passion for multi-day hikes in various parts of the world.

Liam Warren

Liam Warren

ELV Campus Manager, Australian International School

Liam is an experienced operations manager with a history of working in the educational system. Liam has a wealth of experience in both onsite and offsite risk management, facility operations and health and safety. Liam also has a strong background in school trip management and water safety.

Conference Organisers

OFFSEAS have partnered with 21st Century Learning to organize the conference in partnership with the conference committee.

With over a decade of experience organizing events for educators in international schools across the Asia Pacific region, 21st Century Learning is a leading producer of world-class conferences and professional development programs. Aligned with our mission of “Building Communities of Learners,” our events provide unparalleled opportunities for educators to connect, collaborate, share best practices and be inspired for continuous growth and transformation. At the heart of our work is a commitment to building vibrant communities of innovative, future-ready learners and leaders.

Justin Hardman

Justin Hardman

21CL CEO & Founder
Kelly Gurung

Kelly Gurung

OFFSEAS Conference Coordinator

The Who’s Who of Outdoor Education Have Participated in OFFSEAS

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