Exploring resilience through outdoor education at Vision Valley

A commitment of the Pymble Institute is to support College programs and the wider educational community through research-informed practice. Research into the Vision Valley Residential Program allows us to understand how outdoor education can shape and strengthen student wellbeing.

Why resilience matters

The topic of resilience is key in both education and the wider community. Resilience helps individuals navigate and recover from adversity by drawing on traits such as emotional stability, self-efficacy, confidence and strong social connections. This is particularly relevant for adolescents developing their sense of identity and independence. For interested readers, an informative paper on resilience by Erica Bell, the University of Sydney, is available in Illuminate Edition 6.

Our focus at Pymble is to understand how the Vision Valley Residential Program (VVRP) contributes to students’ resilience—specifically their ability to approach challenges, feel competent and courageous, and build effective relationships. These elements are critical for personal growth and long-term wellbeing.

Key research questions

Our current research seeks to answer two core questions:

1. Does participation in the Vision Valley Residential Program increase students’ sense of resilience?

2. What do students understand by ‘resilience’ and which aspects of the program help build it?

Student voice and research approach

To explore these questions, we asked a group of Pymble students to share how the VVRP shaped their understanding and experience of resilience. We used the Adolescent Girls’ Resilience Scale (AGRS), a 34-item questionnaire designed to assess three key dimensions: Approach to Challenges, Self-Efficacy and Relationship Building.

Since 2022, we have surveyed students before and after the program across multiple cohorts. Pleasingly, results show consistent increases in resilience indicators. In 2024, we added three open-ended questions to gather more detailed insights through qualitative research methods.

These open responses offer a deeper understanding of the program’s impact. Students point to the positive influence of the residential experience, particularly in enhancing their willingness to embrace challenges. Their reflections reinforce the program’s role in helping girls feel more resilient, courageous, and connected. For a deeper look at our research and methodology, access the full report here.

Looking ahead

Understanding what supports the development of resilience ensures our programs continue to meet students’ evolving needs. The Vision Valley experience stands out as a powerful tool for equipping young women with the mindset and skills to thrive.

You can read our 2024 research report here. 

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