More than 100 students from schools across the Hunter were sponsored by Coal & Allied to embark an Outward Bound Adventure in the Kyogle State Forrest in June.

Year nine students from Scone High School, Muswellbrook High School, Singleton High School, St Joseph’s All Saints College, Maitland High School, Francis Greenway High School and St Peters All Saints College took part in the unique week long adventure.

Coal & Allied are long time supporters of community growth in the Hunter region.  They have committed more than $3 million over the last two years towards programs that provide a long lasting benefit to the wider community.

The students were removed from luxury, pushed outside their comfort zone ad undertook a series of challenges including expeditions and trust based exercises on the high ropes course.

Muswellbrook High School teacher Jess Ryan believes the adventure taught students how to work together with others and develop their personal leadership skills.

"For the students, being able to meet different kids was a big plus.  The confidence they got from working with new people and achieving things they were at first hesitant to even try was great to see.

"We hope their new found confidence will set them up nicely for the rest of the time at school and for their endeavours in the wider community," Jess said.

Francis Greenway School teacher Talei Leeson also saw the benefits of having the students work as a team with students from other schools.

“The students loved working together with new people. Teamwork based activities like the ‘giant ladder’ really meant they had to work together to make it to the top.

“They learnt that no matter how big or small an obstacle may appear if they pursued it as a team they would be able to conquer it,” Talei said.

This is the eighth year Coal & Allied sponsored students from the region have been given the opportunity to grow on an Outward Bound course.

Outward Bound CEO Darren Black believes outdoor adventures are crucial for the development of young Australians.

"Outdoor Education experiences are invaluable to a young adult's development.  It helps them to better appreciate what they have and also what they are capable of doing in the future.

"Exposing them to new environments opens up new possibilities. We have found this helps them grow in confidence as they find they are capable of more than they previously thought they were," Mr Black said.