2010 Kokoda Kids

2010 Kokoda Kids 

In 2010 the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program has expanded taking 54 young people across four branches in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Tweed. 

First Day
Training started at Burleigh on Sunday 5th May where the Kokoda Kids (aged between 15 and 18) were put through their paces with extensive fitness tests conducted by experts and students from Southern Cross University. The tests provided a benchmark for both individual and each of the groups fitness levels.

Team Building Camp
On 15th & 16th May the Kokoda Kids and their leaders travelled to Uki in northern NSW for the two day Youth Program camp. The weekend hosted by Inter-Action Experiential Learning, combined physical and mental challenges, and for some of the Kokoda Kids it was the first time they had ever been camping or even stayed in a tent.

          

The two days were filled with activities that promoted team work such as negotiating river crossings, balancing a giant seesaw, ropes courses and climbing a huge tree - during
this time the Kokoda Kids started to identify not only their individual strengths (and weakness) but how they can support each other as a team unit.

The camp weekend was also an opportunity for the Youth Leaders to observe the characteristics of individuals and the dynamics of their group.

Weekly Training
The Kokoda Kids started their weekly mid week fitness training sessions and Sunday Walks at the beginning of May.  Each Wednesday (rain or shine!) the Gold Coast and Tweed branches have been working closely with Vision PT at North Burleigh and Brisbane have had their Leader Lynley hosting their sessions at Kangaroo Point.  The purpose of the mid week training sessions is to maintain and develop their own personal fitness strengths in preparation for the peak experiences ahead.

On Sundays each branch undertakes a bush walk which incorporates not only long distance trekking but team building, leadership skills and group dynamics.  The walks have increased each week in distance, duration and difficulty which assists in keeping the Kids engaged whilst focusing on the task ahead.  All of the branches have been completing walks not only on the Kokoda Challenge track in the Gold Coast Hinterland but also Mt Warning, Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane Forest Park and various locations around Tweed Heads. 

Gold Coast Marathon 10km Challenge
New to the 2010 Kokoda Challenge Youth Program was the inclusion of an additional peak experience, completing the 10km event in the Gold Coast Marathon.

All branches set off from the start line in their groups and managed to achieve their own personal and group goals during the course of the event.  On completion the group leaders and kids noticed how far they had come both mentally and physically as individuals and a team, this was a true reflection that their training program is heading in the right direction.

Not only did the Kokoda Kids participate in the 10km run, they also backed it up and returned the following day to volunteer their time at an aid station for the full 42km marathon.  It was a good experience for the kids and the competitors who gave some wonderful feedback about how encouraging and helpful they were in their voluntary role.

Kokoda Challenge
After completing the Mini Kokoda, all of the Kokoda Kids and leaders arrived in Mudgeeraba at 5am on Saturday 17th July ready to undertake the 96km Kokoda Challenge.

Throughout the course of the weekend each respective branch came across their own hurdles both mentally and physically but dealt with them successfully.  The Kokoda Kids parents acted as their support crew, seeing and encouraging their children going through one of the toughest challenges to date. 

Inevitably there were some withdrawals within teams but their own personal goals were achieved and everyone reached their full potential.  In addition, this year was the first year that a full branch of Kokoda Kids and their leaders crossed the finish line as a complete group.  Congratulations to Brisbane Branch for an outstanding and prestigious achievement.