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Safeguarding in the Outdoor & Adventure Space
Why every experiential learning organisation needs clear safeguarding policies, professional boundaries and reporting procedures.
Home / Chapters & Working Groups / LOTC / ABL
Chapter
Established chapter
Learning through experience
Better learning experiences, built on care and professional practice.
A professional community for outdoor educators, facilitators, schools, camps and providers working across Learning Outside the Classroom and Adventure-Based Learning.
About this world
A place for knowledge, standards and shared practice.
The LOTC / ABL Chapter creates a structured space for the people who design, facilitate, host and commission learning experiences beyond the classroom.
It connects educational purpose with duty of care, programme quality, evidence of staff competence, safeguarding, risk management and reflective professional practice.
Established chapter
This community has an established place within SA AIA's chapter structure.
What it covers
One community, several connected areas.
01
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC)
02
Adventure-Based Learning (ABL) and experiential facilitation
03
Outdoor education, school camps and excursions
04
Programme design, reflection and participant development
05
Duty of care, safeguarding and provider due diligence
06
Service-provider standards, recognition and verification
Technical competencies
Standards connected to this field.
Each approved activity profile brings skills guidance, a curriculum and accreditation requirements together in one place.
ABL and mixed activities
Team challenges, initiatives, low ropes and related activities
In development
General training & assessment guidance
Shared expectations for technical training across activity fields
Approved guide
Activity-specific competence
Find the relevant profile when a programme includes technical adventure activities
Browse all
Knowledge & resources
Start with reliable, practical guidance.
Safeguarding in outdoor and experiential learning
Understand professional boundaries, organisational practice, reporting concerns and the South African legal context.
Explore safeguarding →LOTC/ABL Service Provider Verification
See what the 2026 pilot verifies, how evidence is reviewed and what the Verified Provider badge means.
Explore verification →Training pathways for ABL & LOTC practitioners
Understand in-house, association and NQF routes, and when guiding or technical training is separate.
Read more →Provider Safety Snap
A one-page checklist to help schools ask providers for evidence covering accommodation, catering, transport and activities.
Open PDF →Water Safety on School Excursions
Practical questions and checks for schools, educators and parents planning excursions involving water.
Open PDF →School-trip safety
A practical starting point for schools, parents and the providers supporting them.
Read more →Camps & providers
Programme quality, operational responsibility and evidence schools should expect.
Read more →Schools & Youth Safety resources
Find the complete collection of free school and youth safety downloads in the resource library.
Browse resources →
Articles
Browse all articles →
Ideas and practical insight.
Article
From Trust to Evidence: Choosing Outdoor Learning Providers
Why schools need a clearer, evidence-based approach to provider due diligence.
Article
Discipline at Camps: Aligning with the BELA Act
A practical look at discipline, responsibility and lawful camp practice.
Article
Safety Around Water in School Excursions
A shared-responsibility approach for schools, providers and activity leaders.
News & official updates
Browse all news →
Follow the work as it develops.
Outdoor Learning, ABL & LOTC Chapter Launch
The formal launch of a shared platform for the outdoor learning community.
Read more →Service Provider Verification Pilot
SA AIA completes the first pilot of a national verification framework.
Read more →Water Activity School-Trip Statement
Guidance for safer water exposure during school excursions and programmes.
Read more →
Get involved
Bring your experience into the conversation.
Outdoor educators, facilitators, schools, camps, venues, youth organisations, programme designers and service providers can contribute experience and help develop practical sector guidance.