At all levels of education in New South Wales outdoor experiences and outdoor education are a prominent part of the curriculum. This emphasis on the outdoors begins early. Outdoor activities are an important part of most primary schools whether they are public or private. Likewise at secondary level and at university outdoor education is still an important part of many students' life. Indeed interested students at university can study outdoor education as a discipline in its own right and continue this study up to doctorate level. Outdoor education programs at university are well-subscribed attracting students from fields such as education and health as well as those that specialise in this field. Outdoor education has a wide appeal and will attract students willing to pay fees including those from overseas. Although outdoor education has a long history in New South Wales schools as a form of education outside the classroom there is very little literature on its history. While the history of New South Wales school sport (Collins, Aitken & Cork, 1990) and physical education (Kirk, 1998) has been well documented there has been comparatively little research conducted on the history of Australian outdoor education (Brookes, 2002; Pickett & Polley, 2001; Lugg & Martin, 2001; Neill, 2001; Neill & Gray, 2001). This article will start the process of developing a better understanding of this history by examining the development of school camping in NSW from its first appearance in 1890 until the 1960s when the term outdoor education was adopted to emphasise its educational value. In doing so this paper reflects on how the practice and purpose of outdoor education has been shaped by changing social environments and its development is underpinned by a faith espoused by various educational authorities such as the NSW Department of Education in the positive social and moral learning that is fostered by experiences in the outdoors.