The 2nd National Outdoor Education Conference (NOEC) 2025, jointly organised by the Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) Council and partners, marked a historic milestone with the launch of SS 710:2024 – Code of Practice for Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) Activities.
Graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, the conference gathered outdoor educators, sector leaders, and policymakers in a collective effort to strengthen safety, quality, and professionalism in Singapore’s OAE sector.
About SS 710:2024
SS 710:2024 is Singapore’s first national standard dedicated to Outdoor Adventure Education activities. Developed through two years of sector-wide collaboration, the standard provides clear, structured guidance across activity categories including:
- Water-based activities (e.g. paddling, rafting)
- Height-based activities (e.g. abseiling, climbing, ropes courses)
- Land-based activities (e.g. hiking, camping, experiential learning initiatives)
The Code of Practice sets out requirements in risk management, emergency planning, learning design, facilitation, and professional competencies, ensuring OAE programmes are conducted with the highest standards of safety and educational value.
Conference Highlights
The launch was accompanied by a full-day programme of dialogue, plenary sessions, and workshops:
- Opening Address by Minister Edwin Tong on the OAE sector’s journey towards safety, quality, and professionalism.
- Dialogue Panel with Minister Tong, Mr David Chua (OAE Council Co-Chair), and Mr Khor Aik Lam (Enterprise Singapore), moderated by Mr Edvan Loh (Co-convenor of SS 710).
- Plenary on SS 710 led by Co-convenors Mr Delane Lim and Mr Edvan Loh, providing an overview of the standard’s structure and principles.
- Workshops exploring the application of SS 710 across different domains:
- Risk assessment and emergency planning
- Learning design and facilitation
- Water, height, and land-based activities
- Presentation of the OAE Sector Roadmap and Competency Framework Drafts, followed by public consultation for industry feedback.
Shaping the Future of Outdoor Education
The launch of SS 710:2024 represents a major step towards professionalising the OAE sector in Singapore. It provides a foundation for:
- Greater alignment in safety practices across providers
- Recognition of outdoor educators as professionals
- Stronger pathways for sector development through the OAE Roadmap and Competency Framework
With this standard, Singapore’s OAE sector is better positioned to nurture future-ready learners, build resilience, and ensure meaningful and safe outdoor experiences for generations to come.
Access the Standard
The SS 710:2024 Code of Practice for Outdoor Adventure Education Activities is now available for purchase on the Singapore Standards eShop
📩 For more information on the OAE sector and ongoing consultations, visit: www.singaporeoae.sg/noec-2025.