An Overview The Challenge Program
The Challenge Program encourages young people in skills such as teamwork, goal setting, self-awareness and healthy decision making. The program aims to foster leadership potential, responsibility, self-confidence, develop inter-personal skills and encourage positive behaviour. The Challenge Program provides an alternative learning environment, where students gain valuable awareness of themselves, their peers and the support networks in their community.
Participants are junior to middle high school students who have been identified by their school to benefit from this type of program.
The five day challenge camp program in the Shoalhaven area consists of:
Day 1 - 4 km hike with all supplies doing navigation exercise enroute.
Day 2 - Morning rock climbing session then a 9 km downhill hike to Shoalhaven River
Day 3 - All day 13 km canoe paddle down Shoalhaven River
Day 4 - Abseiling and caving
Day 5 - Pack up to head home
All supplies are carried with campers during the camp and food rations are distributed on Day One. No extra food is supplied along the way.
The Challenge Program is run by, Youthworks, who have years of experience in running outdoor education programs and have all the necessary facilities and equipment.
Research
Since the inception of The Challenge Program millions of dollars have been invested in thousands of young people’s lives. An evidence base is in the process of being compiled and Youthworks is looking at forming partnerships with various universities to continue to refine the many theories behind such a successful program.
If you are interested in a research partnership please contact the At Risk Youth Co-ordinator at Youthworks on 02 8525 3103.