Stories of Purpose & Joy
Jason Zaurs
As the early morning light begins to spread across Shoal Bay in Albany, the wildlife disperses from Camp Quaranup, and the Guildford Grammar campers begin to wake. Jason Zaurs climbs out of his swag and takes in the serenity.
As Director of Outdoor Learning at Guildford Grammar School, Jason sees the outdoors as a place where young people grow in ways that are hard to replicate anywhere else.
The stillness of the morning is replaced by laughter and happy chaos as our Year 6 students gather in the central meeting point of camp to play games and reconnect with friends and teachers. Mornings like this speak to a belief grounded in Jason’s own experience outdoors.
A Life in the Outdoors
Jason’s belief in outdoor learning comes from lived experience.
Jason has spent a lifetime in the natural world. His early years were filled with mountaineering, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, camping and riding. He later worked across regional Western Australia, including the Pilbara and the Kimberley, developing a deep respect for the challenge and perspective nature can offer.
That lived experience is backed by years of professional leadership. Jason holds a Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, lectured for 12 years in the Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation course at the University of Notre Dame, contributed to the development of WA’s ATAR Outdoor Education curriculum and helped write textbooks still used by students today.
He also led Physical Education and Outdoor Learning programs in leading Perth schools before joining Guildford Grammar. Yet when Jason speaks, he is far more interested in students than credentials.
Space to Explore
“The primary reason for the Outdoor Learning Program’s existence is to protect their wellbeing,” he says. “We’re creating a framework for them to engage cognitively, emotionally and spiritually. It provides a springboard to a healthy, engaged life.”
It begins in Bush Playgroup and Bush School, then builds through year-level experiences and expeditions.
In a world often defined by screens, schedules and constant noise, the outdoors offers something increasingly rare – presence.
“When you’re participating in outdoor pursuits, you are in the present moment,” he says. “Nothing else is really happening because you are focused on the activity.”
That can be a paddle down the river with friends, cooking together at camp or watching the sun rise before the day begins. Small moments that Jason knows, can stay with young people for a long time.
Some of the most valuable learning happens when young people are given space to explore, problem-solve and occasionally stumble. Jason’s program values stepping back as adults and allowing students to work things out for themselves.
Growing with Students
The hallmark Albany and Kalbarri Outdoor Learning Programs show how the experience grows with students.
In Year 6, Albany is often about confidence, connection and joy. Students try new things, spend time outdoors with their peers and discover they are capable of more than they realised.
By Year 9, Kalbarri meets students at a different stage of life. The challenge is greater, the landscape is bigger and the learning runs deeper.
“There is a sense of feeling insignificant in a significant landscape,” Jason says.
In that perspective can come humility and growth. Sometimes young people need challenge and open space to better understand themselves.
What Drives Him
Shared challenge creates strong bonds between students and staff, and Jason values the sense of community that comes with it.
But what drives him most is seeing young people discover what they are capable of.
“Seeing our students’ happiness and the joy on their faces when they’ve experienced something new for the first time,” he says.
“It brings me so much joy. Being amongst great people motivates me to get out of bed and be here working for our community.”
For students feeling uncertain before trying something new, Jason has some advice.
“It’s okay to feel a little worried about what’s going to happen. But know that you are way more capable than what you give yourself credit for.
“And by trying, there’s a greater chance of success than not trying at all.”