Kokoda Youth Foundation
An Australian charity changing kids’ lives through outdoor experiences, mentorship, and
the Spirit of Kokoda
20 Years Helping
Aussie Kids
Changing Lives In
Our Local Community
Keeping the Spirit of
Kokoda Alive
About
Kokoda Youth Foundation
The Kokoda Youth Foundation is a local charity that has been empowering young Australians to achieve extraordinary things for over 20 years.
Through our experiential and challenging youth programs, we help young people build physical and mental resilience, boost their confidence, and develop the core values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice – inspired by the remarkable 1942 Kokoda Campaign.
Our mission is to reignite these enduring values within communities across Australia.
Each of our programs encourages our ‘Kokoda Kids’ to become active, engaged members of their local communities. They also learn about Australia’s rich Indigenous culture and history, while honouring the legacy of our diggers. We challenge participants to step outside their comfort zones, push their limits, and grow into stronger, more capable individuals.
The Kokoda Youth Foundation relies on the generosity of Australians like you. You can help make a lasting impact by taking part in one of our Kokoda Challenge fundraising events, making a one-time or regular donation, or visiting one of our Kokoda Outdoor Education facilities.
We exist to transform the lives of young people—for good—and we invite you to join us in making a difference through the Spirit of Kokoda.
KCYP
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
Aimed at 14-16 year olds, this nine month life skills program is for teens from all walks of life. It is built around our core values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice, while being focused on training for a peak experience, which traditionally has been hiking the real Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea.
Throughout the program, kids are challenged and mentored through weekly endurance hikes and volunteer community service to learn the skills that build personal strength and resilience to help overcome adversity and succeed.
On the Right Track
On the Right Track
On The Right Track (OTRT) is a Kokoda Youth Foundation initiative designed for select high schools, focusing on students aged 13 to 15. This in-school program takes a proactive approach to support at-risk youth, aiming to prevent them from engaging in criminal activities and becoming disengaged from education.
The program runs one day a week and includes three months of physical training to prepare for the 48km Kokoda Challenge event. It aims to foster self-discipline and tolerance while encouraging participants to overcome their preconceived beliefs and push beyond their personal limits.
Following the training, students engage in three months of community service, giving them the opportunity to make meaningful contributions and build positive connections within their local community.
Digital Detox
Digital Detox
Our Digital Detox program gives the opportunity for kids to totally disconnect from technology and become more conscious of their relationship with technology.
Starting in 2022, and run onsite at our outdoor education facility Kokoda Park, this is a 9 day camp program for teens who are showing signs of digital dependence.
Through a series of adventure-based activities and educational workshops, the kids will be given the opportunity to disconnect, evaluate their well-being and create healthy new habits and boundaries in order to thrive in a digital world.
Isurava Program
Isurava Program
KYF's new Isurava Program is a structured, phased intervention for Ipswich youth aged 12–17 who are at risk of disengagement or justice involvement.
Delivered as part of the Queensland Government's Regional Reset Program combines trauma-informed practices, outdoor experiential learning, daily emotional regulation, and goal setting, all in a safe mentoring environment.
Launching by the end of 2025, it offers a powerful alternative to youth detention with ongoing support for young people and their families.
Your Generous Donations Go Straight Towards
Learning about
indigenous culture
Partnering with your
local community organisations
Building more resilient and
confident young people
Helping us develop
new youth programs
Creating more opportunities
through school education
Changing attitudes
through trekking adventures
Providing a once in
a lifetime peak experience
Engaging kids in
their local community
Our Partners
How We Help
Success Stories
Over the last 20 years, the Kokoda Youth Foundation has proudly supported more than 1,311 teenagers through our locally run youth programs. We have seen huge life transformations, not just in the form of physical fitness but in our participants’ mental resilience, community contributions, sense of purpose, and social connections.
We are proud to share some of their incredible journeys.
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About
Our People
The Kokoda Youth Foundation is a locally operated charity that has proudly supported Australian young people and their local communities for 20 years. Our experiential youth programs help young people increase their physical and mental resilience, confidence, and instil the Kokoda values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice through the story of the Kokoda Campaign in 1942. These programs are offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
