In , Hutchins led the nation in establishing an Outdoor Education facility at Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary. Following the offer by Mr Anton Chauncy of a bush site at Chauncy Vale in Tasmania’s midlands, a hut was constructed by Form V boys under the leadership of teacher Gordon Jones. Outdoor Education was incorporated into the teaching program in , where boys could enjoy sailing, mountaineering and camping.

By the mid-1970s, the School’s time at Chauncy Vale was coming to an end. In Outdoor Education was primarily focused on providing boys with the skills of co-operation, leadership and communal living. saw a generous gift to the School by Mr and Mrs Wynne Hay of 6 acres of land in Southport. The first use of the new Outdoor Education centre was made by Form II camp in . In the Stephen Hay Memorial Park was completed and handed over to the School.

From the mid-1980s, boys’ Outdoor Education experiences expanded to include the use of the Southport facility for activities such as bushwalking, canoeing and camps to more remote areas of Tasmania, such as Port Davey, Lake St Clair, Lake Ada, Maria Island and the Walls of Jerusalem.

We cast our thoughts back with satisfaction to all the camps at Chauncy Vale. It has been a marvellous experience for all those who have taken part.

The Hutchins School Magazine, December 1947
R Lord and G Salter building Chauncy Vale hut, 1947.

R Lord and G Salter building Chauncy Vale hut,

Canoeing at Southport, 1981.

Canoeing at Southport,

Stephen Hay Memorial Park official handover, 1987.

Stephen Hay Memorial Park official handover,

Juniors at The Lea, 1981.

Juniors at The Lea,

Mr Hay and Year 10 campers sailing, 1986.

Mr Hay and Year 10 campers sailing,

Power of 9 Island Challenge Expedition, Flinders Island, 2016.

Power of 9 Island Challenge Expedition, Flinders Island,

Sean Oosthuizen aboard the ‘Windeward Bound’ on the Power of 9 Port Davey Challenge, 2013.

Sean Oosthuizen aboard the Windeward Bound on the Power of 9 Port Davey Challenge,

Hiking the Ironbound Range looking towards Louisa Bay on the Power of 9 Port Davey Challenge, 2016.

Hiking the Ironbound Range looking towards Louisa Bay on the Power of 9 Port Davey Challenge,