THE KOKODA YOUTH FOUNDATION STORY

Our mission is to change the lives of Australian young people through the Spirit of Kokoda; Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.

Founded by Doug Henderson OAM, Kokoda Challenge was created as a means to fund and support the Kokoda Youth Foundation's transformative youth programs, equipping disengaged teens with the opportunities, skills and support for a brighter future. Since 2005, Kokoda Youth Foundation has inspired hundreds of teens through outdoor experiences, mentorship and challenge to achieve incredible things.

For more information on our youth programs, visit here.

1,311

KIDS WE'VE HELPED

324

VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR

20

YEARS RUNNING

2004

The Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) was established on the Gold Coast in 2004 by Doug and Anna Henderson. At an RSL conference, Doug heard a Kokoda veteran recount the grit and sacrifice of the 1942 Kokoda Campaign in Papua New Guinea, a story that deeply resonated with him as a former Vietnam War medic. Inspired to preserve and share the values of courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice, Doug recognised an opportunity to support the growing number of troubled young people across Australia. He set out to use the spirit of Kokoda to guide and empower them, and Kokoda Youth Foundation was born.

2005

Doug began his mission by leading 12 young people across the demanding 96km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. He believed it would be a transformative journey that would not only deepend their appreciation of Australia's history, but shape their sense of self. To prepare, the teens trained together weekly, building resilience and tewamwork. These experiences became the foundation of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.To fund it, Doug and Anna launched the first Kokoda Challenge event, inviting community teams to hike andraise money for the Foundation.

2007

Within two years, the Kokoda Challenge was growing. The Foundation introduced the Stan Bisset Cup to the fastest Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge School team. The award pays tribute to Australian rugby union player and Kokoda veteran from the 2/14th Battalion. 

2008

The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP) soon expanding beyond the Gold Coast. This meant to support this growth, the Kokoda Challenge also had to expand, raising the funds needed to sustain the new programs in Brisbane and Canberra.

2009

To bring the Story of Kokoda to even more people, the Kokoda Challenge introduced a 48km event alongside the 96km trek on the Gold Coast. This allowedmore participants to experience the spirit of Kokoda,while raising vital funds to support young
Australians through the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

2011

Although the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program had been running in Brisbane for three years, this was the first year the Kokoda Challenge was launched in Brisbane to help raise fund to support the local branch of KCYP.

2020

For the first time ever, the Kokoda Challenge events couldn't go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But we didn't let that stop us! The Kokoda Challenge Virtual Challenge allowed participants to track walks in their own neighbourhoods while still raising vital funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation. The spirit of Kokoda endured, proving that challenges can become opportunities for growth and impact.

2022

We brought the Kokoda Challenge to the Sunshine Coast, giving a whole new community the chance to experience the spirit of Kokoda. During this year, the Kokoda Youth Foundation also introduced the Digital Detox Program, a 7-day camp held over the
school holidays to help teens manage digital dependency.

2025

In 2025, over 8,000 participants took part across our four events. Both the Gold Coast and Brisbane challenges were completely sold out, drawing record breaking numbers. This year also marked a milestone as the Kokoda Challenge made it's debut in Sydney, inspiring even more young Australians. 

THE KOKODA YOUTH FOUNDATION ENCOMPASSES:

Our events

SUNSHINE COAST | MAY 9
IMBIL STATE FOREST

BRISBANE | JUNE 13
DÁGUILAR NATIONAL PARK

GOLD COAST | JULY 18-19
GOLD COAST HINTERLAND

SYDNEY | SEPTEMBER 19-20
HEATHCOTE & ROYAL NATIONAL PARK