Yes! We are accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). The AEE is an international association that sets standards for outdoor and adventure programming. After performing an extensive peer review to ensure our program met comprehensive risk management and educational protocol, Chadwick International became the first school in Korea and the second in all of Asia to be granted this status.  

Chadwick’s Outdoor Ed program works with international organizations, government agencies and municipalities to facilitate its activities. These partnerships include the National Natural Recreation Forest, Ulju County, Yeonwol County and the Wonju Regional Ministry of the Environment. They also include a number of local townships, districts, cities, counties and resource management agencies. We’re proud of our partnerships and are excited to support the growth of experiential programming throughout Korea and East Asia.

Outdoor education is about learning through the outdoors, not for it. Nature's classroom and adventure activities are a vehicle for learning aimed at providing the tools for personal fulfillment and success throughout all aspects of one's life.

In Chadwick's Outdoor Education program, students are empowered to discover and develop their sense of self and sense of place through a progression of outdoor competencies. Programming is designed to have students cultivate the skills and strategies for well-being and leadership. They practice caring for themselves, others and the natural world. Students also develop social and ecological literacies that foster a deep understanding of the relationship between social and environmental systems.

The lessons learned through the outdoors are transferred back into the classroom and daily life. These lessons ultimately serve as a foundation for ethical, global citizenship throughout a student's entire life.

Our instructors are expert outdoor educators hand-picked from the best in the industry around the world. Each has a wide range of experience and a deep passion for working with youth in the outdoors. 

All field staff are required to hold wilderness medical certifications and often hold technical certifications in paddling, backpacking and rock climbing. Their mission is to support students on their journeys and to challenge them to take responsible risks. On some trips, a CI faculty member may chaperone as an opportunity to bond and foster deeper relationships with students that often aid in their success in the classroom.

Take a closer look at our instructors here. 

Menus are designed to give students a healthy balance of nutrition and energy during their course. Meals are culturally diverse, include both Korean and Western meals, and often have a “backcountry” twist. 

Basecamp meals are prepared for the entire class in a central outdoor setting with dedicated kitchen staff. With each grade level, students progressively help prepare and clean up after meals. On expeditions, students have more ownership in cooking their meals, which they prepare on camping stoves under instructor supervision. Menus and food preparation are designed for ease and simplicity in a backcountry environment. Food is another medium for learning. As students get older, they rely on previous backcountry experience to plan and purchase their own food. These meals are designed for ease and simplicity in a backcountry environment. 

Breakfasts typically include bagels, cereal, oatmeal and nurungji (Korean crispy rice), while dinners can include pasta, bibimbap, kimchi jiggae and stir-frys. Lunches are always pack-type and can include crackers with salami and cheese, and different types of kimbap. Fruits and vegetables are also provided as snacks. If your student has a dietary restriction due to food allergies, a medical condition, or for religious reasons please notify the OE department at least two weeks before a course.

Equipment lists reflect the course type, length, location and seasonal weather patterns for each grade-level course. They're also designed to prepare students for the possibility of inclement weather. Being prepared with the right equipment is an essential component of having a safe, and successful course. Gear checks are completed in class the week before a course. The program provides some equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads, life jackets, expedition backpacks and dry bags, and rain jackets and pants. Questions about clothing and equipment can be directed to the OE department at songdo-outdoored@chadwickschool.org.

Relax and enjoy some time away from your child! Students’ smart phones are locked away safely so that they can fully immerse themselves in the outdoor experience without the typical distractions of technology. If you have any concerns while your child is away, please contact the Division Principal’s office first. We use an on-call phone system and will contact the Course Director in the field to reach your student directly. 

As per program policy, OE staff and faculty will not contact parents or guardians unless there is an emergency or extenuating circumstance. You can assume that “no news is good news,” even during inclement weather. Rest assured that your child is in highly capable and caring hands.