The Walkabout program was designed by Dr. Joy Butler, Curriculum & Pedagogy (EDCP). Walkabout is named for the spiritual quest of the Aboriginal peoples from the outback in Australia’s Northern Territories.
Joy remembers the first walkabout fondly:
The first walkabout I organized linked both the UCC (church) and Plymouth State University. IT became know as the town and gown walkabout! The destination was Melbourne Australia and helped to raise money for 4 students who were going to a conference with me. I learned a lot from that event – it was 3 months long and 2 very big teams. One was 90 and the other 60!
Since then, UBC’s Faculty of Education has been hosting a nine-week Walkabout challenge beginning every January. Staff, faculty, students and community members join teams and compete to cover the distance of a new virtual route each year. The challenge promotes regular fitness in social settings. Everyone is welcome to join! Please get in touch if you’d like to participate as a community member.
