Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush

Since 1994, NSW surf lifesavers have been visiting schools in rural and remote areas in regional NSW to educate primary school students about beach, coastal and water safety.

Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush Program

B2B was launched in 1994 when a survey was undertaken which led to the trial and implementation of the first surf education program for rural NSW students. The research conducted by Surf Lifesaving highlighted that 50% of people rescued from the surf lived more than 50km from the beach. This was reinforced in the findings from the Premier’s Taskforce into water safety. As a result of this survey, the Beach to Bush program was developed to improve beach safety knowledge and awareness amongst primary school students. Each year our volunteer surf lifesavers go "bush" to visit rural and remote schools to educate students on beach and water safety.

What do students learn?

  • Beach and inland water safety
  • How to be sun smart
  • How to spot a rip
  • Where they should always swim at the beach
  • What to do if they get into trouble at the beach
  • The different types of marine life that can be found along the coast and inland waterways
  • Why they should always read and obey the signs at the beach
  • The role of lifesavers and lifeguards and how to ask them for safety advice

What is Beach to Bush?

Why do we have this program?

Beach to Bush is a very popular primary school aged surf education program that offers students in regional areas of NSW an introduction to surf lifesaving, focusing on beach and surf safety along with being safe around dams and inland waterways.

Students from regional communities are often less familiar with the potential dangers of the surf, our program aims to reach those children before they head to the coast with their families.

Our surf lifesavers will travel all over rural NSW (even including Burke!) as we want every school in rural and remote areas to have the opportunity to learn our beach, coastal & waterways safety messages.

No school is too small or too large for us to visit!

Our program is scheduled every year over three weeks for Term 4, just prior to the summer school holidays when many families in rural areas head to the beach.

When you register your school you are able to include your preferred date and time for us to visit.

Your session will be presented by trained, active and qualified volunteer NSW surf lifesavers.

Many of our lifesavers participate in this program year after year as they are very dedicated to educating rural kids.

Our lifesavers will be aiming to arrive at your school approximately 30 minutes before your session is due to commence to allow them time to set up.

The  presentations usually run for around 45 minutes. We allow extra time for Q&A at the end of your session as we love answering questions from students.

During our visual presentation our lifesavers will be interacting with your students for maximum learning.

We recommend that each session have a maximum of 100 students.

We are quite happy to have multiple sessions at your school, you can just let us know how many sessions you require when you register.

Yes! We have created beach safety quizzes for your students which include general beach safety, sun safety, rips and waves, sea creatures, basic first aid, rescues and getting help from a lifesaver or lifeguard. Teachers will receive a curriculum aligned guide against all available content for this program.

We offer this program to rural and remote schools in NSW as a FREE program, fully funded by Surf Life Saving NSW.

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REGISTER FOR BEACH TO BUSH 2024!

Don't miss out on this opportunity for our dedicated surf lifesavers to visit your school.

BEACH TO BUSH ON TOUR IN RURAL NSW SINCE 1994!

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students
274,067
# students reached
school
1,963
# schools visited
lifeguard chair
3,317
# presentations delivered
lifeguard
553
# volunteer presenters
2371505
30
# years B2B has been educating rural NSW students

The 2024 Ingenia Holiday Parks Beach to Bush program is also proudly supported by the NSW Government in association with Your local club

Have a look at our previous Beach to Bush programs and learn about the history of the program...

Beach to Bush 2023

In 2023 we celebrated 30 years of the Beach to Bush program meeting over 11,000 rural and remote NSW primary school students.

Beach to Bush 2022

Our dedicated surf lifesavers met over 10,000 students during their Beach to Bush tours in rural NSW in 2022

Beach to Bush 2021

For the first time Beach to Bush 2021 was brought to schools virtually with over 7000 students meeting our dedicated lifesavers.

Beach to Bush 2020

Beach to Bush 2020 was an amazing tour with over 9000 students attending a beach and coastal safety session with our lifesavers over three weeks.

Beach to Bush: the 30 Year Anniversary

We're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic Beach to Bush program!

Beach to Bush the 30 year history 1994-2023

30 year history of the B2B program.

We're bringing you all the latest beach and coastal education related news, programs and resources for NSW teachers via our On Patrol newsletter.

More programs and resources for primary students and teachers...

NSW Teachers School Newsletter

On Patrol Newsletter with the Surf Life Saving NSW Community Education team! Bringing you all the latest beach & coastal education related news, programs and resources for NSW teachers and schools.

What is a rip?

Rip currents are one of the biggest dangers at the beach. Knowing what a rip is, how to spot one and how to avoid one is key to staying safe at the beach.

What is a wave?

Waves can be fun. You can dive under them, jump over them, watch them gently roll to shore or be awed by their power as they crash on the beach. So how are they formed?

Learn about marine creatures

There are lots of amazing marine creatures that live in the ocean and on our beaches. What are the ones you should look out for when you visit the beach?

What is a surf lifesaver?

Each summer over 20,000 members of SLSNSW put on the iconic red and yellow uniforms at beaches across the state. So who exactly are these heroes in red and yellow? Let's find out!

How to stay safe at the beach

The beach is for everyone to enjoy. Knowing how to stay safe while at the beach will make sure that you and your family have the best day possible.

Creatures Big & Small (K-2)

Come and explore the ocean and beach with a real lifesaver and learn about the amazing creatures that live within the sea in our FREE virtual sessions.

Ocean Myth Busters (3-6)

Come and explore some of the greatest myths of the ocean and coast with a real lifesaver in our FREE virtual sessions.

Annie & the Waves

Learn how to stay safe at the beach with our lifesavers Grace, Liam & Louise. They will take your children on a narrated journey with Annie as she goes on holiday to the beach.

Beach to Bush 2020

Beach to Bush 2020 was an amazing tour with over 9000 students attending a beach and coastal safety session with our lifesavers over three weeks.

Beach to Bush 2021

For the first time Beach to Bush 2021 was brought to schools virtually with over 7000 students meeting our dedicated lifesavers.

Beach to Bush 2022

Our dedicated surf lifesavers met over 10,000 students during their Beach to Bush tours in rural NSW in 2022

Beach to Bush 2023

In 2023 we celebrated 30 years of the Beach to Bush program meeting over 11,000 rural and remote NSW primary school students.

Lifesaver @ My School (7-12)

Bring a Lifesaver to your school and give your students the opportunity to learn about beach and ocean safety in their own classroom and backyard.

Lifesaver @ My School (K-6)

Our Lifesaver @ My School program brings our qualified lifesavers right into your classroom! Students from K to 6 will learn about beach and ocean safety.

Lifesaver for a Day (10-12)

In this stage based, curriculum aligned virtual session, students will have the opportunity to problem solve and discuss real life Lifesaving scenarios as they explore the life and challenges of a lifesaver.

Race to the Flags (7-9)

In this stage based, curriculum aligned virtual session, students will have the opportunity to compete in groups with their classmates, as they problem solve real life lifesaving scenarios.

Sporting Schools (K-6)

The Sporting Schools program is for all primary school students K-6 keen to learn water and beach skills through Surf Life Saving. The program brings schools and sports together to help Aussie children get active.

Primary Teaching Resources

Curriculum linked unit outlines with a 3 week staged based lesson plan for teachers to download.

Early Stage 1

This curriculum based Early Stage 1 Unit Outline includes a 3 week, staged based, lesson plan and activities for teachers to download.

Stage 1

This curriculum based Stage 1 Unit Outline includes a 3 week, staged based, lesson plan and activities for teachers to download.

Stage 2

This curriculum based Stage 1 Unit Outline includes a 3 week, staged based, lesson plan and activities for teachers to download.

Stage 3

This curriculum based Stage 3 Unit Outline includes a 3 week, staged based, lesson plan and activities for teachers to download.

Beach to Bush (K-6)

Each year our volunteer lifesavers go "bush" to educate students about beach and water safety.

Beach & Ocean Safety

Be prepared before you head to the beach and learn our useful tips to keep you, your family, your friends and your loved ones safe when you visit our beautiful coast!

Ask a Lifesaver!

Are you working on an assignment, need a fact for a project you are trying to finish, or just out of curiosity would like your question answered by our lifesavers who are passionate about beach and ocean safety? Ask our Lifesavers!

Beach to Bush the 30 year history 1994-2023

30 year history of the B2B program.

Beach to Bush: the 30 Year Anniversary

We're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic Beach to Bush program!