KOKODA CHALLENGE YOUTH PROGRAM (KCYP)
The KCYP is a life skills program for 15-17 year olds, affectionately known as our ‘Kokoda Kids’, who come from all walks of life and every segment of society. It is a program available to all young people who are seeking direction and motivation to succeed. We passionately believe there is no difference between those who are expected to fail and those who are expected to achieve – except for opportunity and the right support.
The KCYP is 9 month program that involving weekly training sessions for the first 6 months to prepare for two major peak experiences designed to challenge and change participants - both phsyically and mentally. This is followed by 3 months of fortnightly volunteer service days to give back to their local communities.
Woven through the program is the history of the Kokoda Campaign of WWII and draws on inspiration from our Australian Diggers who faced insurmountable odds and achieved what no one thought was possible. All young people in the KCYP are mentored in harnessing the same qualities displayed by the Australian soldiers: Courage, Endurance, Sacrifice and Mateship, otherwise known as Kokoda Spirit.
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All Expenses Paid Experience
At the Kokoda Youth Foundation, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential! Therefore, the KCYP is an all-expenses paid program aimed at providing today’s youth with a life changing experience. From entry into the Kokoda Challenge events, to the 9-day donkey trek, our Kokoda Kids, leaders and families are ensured that this program does not come at an expense.
The experience of a lifetime
Our 2022 'Kokoda Kids' will venture from the reef to rainforest and to the outback for a trek with donkeys as their peak experience - an 11 day trip exploring the indigeneous culture, environmental beauty and historical towns of Far North Queensland.
The team will trek remote and rugged areas of the Atherton Tablelands which form dramatic and beautiful landscapes, with the added challenge of leading and camping with donkeys. Following the trek they will then experience Australia's indigenous culture first hand with a night on Cooya Beach with the Kuku Yalanji people, who will guide you through the traditional methods of fishing. They will also visit the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on earth, and spend a day snorkeling and adventuring at the turtle rehabiliation centre on Fitzroy Island.
This is a home grown experience that will honour our Kokoda diggers, be culturally and historically significant and offer a truly unique adventure.
While on the trip, the Kokoda Kids and leaders alike will be pushed to their physical and mental boundaries, achieving things they may have never thought possible!
Each and every day entails different challenges and experiences, meaning all kids will have to work effectively with their team to achieve their common goal. Throughout the experience, many skills will be learnt that the kids are encouraged to take home and apply to their everyday life. This experience leaves our Kokoda Kids feeling as if they have achieved the almost impossible. Many say that after their peak KCYP experience, their perspective on life and way of approaching different challenges is changed.
It is not only the donkey trek that leaves our Kokoda Kids with a new perspective, but it is also the skills and mindset they achieve through participating in the 9-month program itself. Our Kokoda Kids graduate the KCYP knowing the meaning of the 4 pillars of Kokoda, Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.
Commitment to succeed
This trek will be a physical, mental and historical experience of a lifetime and is followed by a further 3 month period of community service to learn the value of giving back. KCYP participants will graduate in January of 2023, provided they meet the strict commitments of the program which are designed to ensure personal discovery and fulfilment.
The extended time frame of the KCYP allows for opportunities for all participants to learn, make informed choices, form life long bonds, develop community connections and flourish.
What is Included
The program includes the following:
- 2 day camp at Camp Kokoda
- Entry into the 30km Brisbane Kokoda Challenge
- Entry into the 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge
- 11 day cultural donkey trek
- Support and guidance our qualified youth workers
- 20 weeks of bush walking
- Support and guidance from your Kokoda Leaders
What the KCYP involves
Make life long friendship bonds
Meet like minded people with similar interests and values.
experiencing history and culture
A funded 11 day Reef, Rainforest and Donkey Trek in Far North Queensland, that honours our Australian veterans and enables you to experience our cultural heritage.
Doing what you
thought was
impossible
20 weeks of Sunday bushwalks, mid-week training sessions, two-day overnight camp and participation in the 96km Kokoda Challenge.
time away from technology
Gain new skills and learn history
giving back to our community
3 months of fortnightly community service to learn the value of community, the true meaning of sacrifice and a chance to give back.
Discover your
full potential
Discovering a sense of purpose, forming life skills of responsibility and reliability, developing confidence and learning that you are capable of extraordinary things.
