Mr Jennings, 71, pioneered the famed Scottsdale High survival camp at Mount Cameron.

The field study centre started with a $35,000 grant from the Whitlam government in 1975.

Mr Jennings taught at Scottsdale High for 28 years before retiring in 2000.

The centre remains owned and operated by the high school and has hosted countless students and national sporting clubs throughout the years - including the Essendon premiership-winning squad of 2000.

``I was senior master of social science at Scottsdale High School in 1975 and I have always believed that the best way of learning things is to actually do it,'' he said.

``A new subject had just been introduced into social science for grade 10, called human nature and aggression - basically conflicts throughout history.

``In English, they were reading the William Golding book Lord of the Flies and coincidentally the ABC put a program on with about 20 people off the streets in Melbourne and took them out in the bush for a month and made a documentary about how they coped.

``I thought it would be a good thing to take some kids out into the bush and set up a situation where there’s potential for conflict between two groups.

``They didn’t know where they were - it was a simulated plane crash - we tossed stuff up into the bush around where the bus stopped then they had to treat a supposedly broken arm and leg and, at the same time, they had to look for anything they could use.

``If they didn’t find it, we didn’t tell them.

``They were allowed to take a pocket knife, piece of string and we gave them the recipe for a survival bar, which actually came from the American air force.''

And so the camp survival legend was born and last month Mr Jennings attended the annual camp one last time, with his grandson Ryan.

Mr Jennings said the camp had evolved over time into a one-week program that everybody did at Mount Cameron.

``They do a bit of kayaking, still do the survival and also the Tomahawk Olympics on the final day, from which the student executive for the year is selected,'' he said.

Survival camp is for year 10 students at the end of a four-year program, for which they build up through years 7, 8 and 9.

Mr Jennings said students were only allowed to take one hat, bushwalking clothes, a pack, survival bar, waterproof coat and a sleeping bag.

He said that the program was physically challenging  and pushed many students too their limits.

But it helped students develop teamwork, camaraderie, resilience, initiative, independence, leadership and resourcefulness, Mr Jennings said.

Schools can arrange camps at the Mount Cameron Field Studies Centre by contacting Scottsdale High School on 6352 2477.