NTUC First Campus Outdoor School — What They Do and What They Offer

NTUC First Campus Outdoor School (often referred to simply as Outdoor School Singapore) is an outdoor learning and holiday camp provider in Singapore that specialises in nature-based adventure camps and experiential outdoor programmes for children. These holiday camps are designed to take children out of the traditional classroom and into the natural world or urban environments, where they learn practical life skills, resilience, environmental awareness, teamwork, problem-solving and confidence through hands-on activities and guided challenges.

Outdoor School is part of NTUC First Campus, a larger Singapore organisation known for early childhood education and enrichment programmes, and leverages this expertise to deliver structured outdoor education that complements academic learning with real-world experiences.

Educational Focus & Philosophy

The core philosophy of NTUC First Campus Outdoor School is that learning should extend beyond the four walls of a classroom and into the natural world and urban landscapes. The programmes aim to help children develop confidence, resilience, risk-taking ability, responsibility, empathy and environmental appreciation through immersive outdoor experiences that engage their senses and challenge their thinking. Outdoor learning is seen as a way to foster well-rounded development and prepare children for life beyond school.

Outdoor School’s holiday camps are designed to be multi-sensory and adventurous, encouraging children to observe, explore and interact with nature or community environments. Activities are tailored to harness curiosity and encourage children to reflect on their experiences while building practical life skills.

Target Age Range & Suitability

Outdoor School holiday camps are designed for children approximately 4 to 12 years old. Various camps are tailored to different age groups and experience levels — from introductory camps for younger children or first-time explorers to more advanced outdoor adventures that involve deeper engagement with nature, problem solving, or multi-day logistics.

The programmes are suitable for children who enjoy being outdoors and learning through action, exploration and social interaction. Whether a child is new to outdoor activities or has some prior experience, there is typically a suitable camp that matches their “adventure appetite” and developmental stage.

Holiday Camp Programmes & Themes

Outdoor School offers a range of holiday camp themes and experiences, many of which are structured into 1-day, 2-day or 3-day formats. These camps take place in natural reserves, nature parks, urban environments and sometimes multiple outdoor locations across Singapore, providing varied learning landscapes.

Below are example camp programmes and what they involve:

Wild Troopers™

• A beginner-level outdoor exploration camp for younger children (approx 4–9 years old). Participants embark on scavenger hunts, flora and fauna observation, nature navigation and guided activities to learn about local biodiversity. Campers may engage in playful outdoor challenges such as an epic water battle while building confidence and observation skills.

Mighty Troopers™

• A 1-day introductory adventure where participants (often 4–9 years old) engage in mission-based challenges such as crafting simple tools (e.g., slingshots), navigating park spaces and participating in team-oriented quests that build critical thinking, confidence and teamwork.

Jungle Rescuers™

• A multi-day outdoor survival and exploration camp for older children (often 7–9 years old) that integrates survival fundamentals, first-aid basics and problem-solving exercises within nature settings such as parks and woodland trails.

Forest Scouts™

• A 3-day forest adventure where learners develop risk assessment, teamwork and outdoor skills while navigating forest terrain, identifying useful plants, learning safety techniques, and solving child-friendly rescue missions.

Water Trekkers™

• An intermediate-level outdoor science and water exploration camp for children usually 7–9 years old. Campers visit water reserves, participate in science-based outdoor labs, environmental learning activities, fishing or wading experiences, and explore ecosystems in and around water.

Southern Voyagers™

• A more advanced and immersive 3-day island-hopping adventure for older children (around 9–12 years old) that blends historical quests, survival challenges, outdoor play and exploration across locations like Sentosa, St. John’s Island and Kusu Island. This camp emphasises leadership, planning, collaboration and practical outdoor skills.

Science Explorers™

• A themed camp that encourages hands-on outdoor scientific inquiry, investigation, data collection and hypothesis development in natural environments. This programme helps children learn scientific concepts through observation and experimentation outside the classroom.

In addition to these camps, Outdoor School occasionally offers other themed experiences such as urban exploration challenges, community-linked activities and specially curated group bookings for schools or organisations.

Holiday Camp Structure & Inclusions

NTUC First Campus Outdoor School holiday camps generally run Monday to Friday during major school holidays, but specific durations vary by programme (e.g., 1-day, 2-day or 3-day formats). Camps usually operate during standard daytime hours and may include snacks, environmental learning tools, guided expeditions, activity materials and age-appropriate safety gear.

Some camps also incorporate transportation between activity sites and multiple outdoor venues, particularly for multi-day programmes such as Water Trekkers and Southern Voyagers.

Outdoor School instructors are trained in child engagement, outdoor leadership and safety management to ensure that children can participate confidently while being supported throughout physically engaging and educational experiences.

Benefits for Participants

Children who attend Outdoor School’s holiday camps benefit from:

• Hands-on outdoor learning that complements classroom education with real-world exploration.
• Physical activity and nature engagement, which promote health, awareness and sensory development.
• Teamwork and leadership skills through group challenges and collaborative missions.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking fostered by survival-style tasks, scientific inquiry and environmental learning.
• Confidence, resilience and adaptability nurtured through outdoor challenges and reflective activities.

Locations & Contact Details

Outdoor School Singapore is based within the NTUC First Campus Outdoor School premises at Mountbatten Square (229 Mountbatten Road, #02-08, Singapore 398007), and camp activities take place at various nature reserves, parks and outdoor spaces throughout Singapore depending on the planned experiences.

Parents and guardians can inquire directly through the Outdoor School website for camp schedules, availability, fees, registration and further programme details.

Conclusion

NTUC First Campus Outdoor School offers a diverse suite of holiday camps for children aged roughly 4–12 years old, designed to bring learning into the outdoors, natural environments and urban outdoor experiences. Through programmes such as Wild Troopers, Forest Scouts, Water Trekkers, Science Explorers and Southern Voyagers, children engage in adventure-based learning that builds resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, environmental awareness and confidence — all while exploring Singapore’s parks, reserves and island environments with trained facilitators.