Kokoda Youth Foundation
Success Stories
Over the last 20 years, the Kokoda Youth Foundation has supported more than 1,311 teenagers through our 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 excited to share some of their incredible journeys.
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Introducing our 2026 Kokoda Challenge Youth Program Leaders!
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
The countdown is on! The next chapter of KCYP is right around the corner, with our program leaders busy and getting ready to welcome our 2026 cohort of Kokoda Kids. This year marks an exciting expansion of the program, with...
From Challenge to Change: An Isurava Story of Transformation
For some young people, the right support can be the turning point that helps them find purpose, and positive direction. Our Isurava Program offers early intervention for young people aged 8-17 who may be at risk of disengaging from school,...
Digital Detox Program Delivered in Sydney!
Digital Detox, Kokoda Youth Foundation
No devices. No screens. Just good old-fashioned fun! For many, it was a first - a week completely unplugged, and the chance for teens to pause, explore and experience life offline. We held our inaugural Digital Detox Program in Sydney...
Kokoda Youth Foundation Wins 2025 Gold Coast Business Excellence Award
Kokoda Youth Foundation
We are proud to announce that the Kokoda Youth Foundation has been named the 2025 overall winner of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Award in the Education, Training and Employment category, recognising our longstanding commitment to young people across Southeast...
Kokoda Youth Foundation Chosen to Deliver Gold Coast Regional Reset Program
Isurava Program
We’re proud to announce that Kokoda Youth Foundation has been selected to deliver the Queensland’s Regional Reset program across the Gold Coast region, in addition to Ipswich. This will support up to 600 at-risk young people in this region over...
Where Glamour Met Giving: Our 20 Year Gala Ball
Kokoda Youth Foundation
The Kokoda Youth Foundation rolled out the red carpet on October 11, 2025, for a night of celebration, reflection, and purpose at the 20 Year Gala Ball. Held at the Mercure Resort’s grand ballroom on the Gold Coast, the event...
Kokoda Challenge Debuts In Sydney
Kokoda Challenge
Last week we made history by debuting our iconic Kokoda Challenge in Sydney for the very first time! This event was 20 years in the making and comes after two decades of successful Kokoda Challenge events across Queensland. Now, officially...
Queensland Government Announces KYF First to Receive Regional Rest Program Grant
Isurava Program
We’re proud to announce that Kokoda Youth Foundation has been selected to deliver one of Queensland’s Regional Reset programs. As part of the Queensland Government's Making Queensland Safer plan, our Isurava Regional Reset Program will be delivered in Ipswich and...
Our Digital Detox Program Features on the ABC’s 7.30 Report
Digital Detox
The ABC’s 7.30 Report featured our Digital Detox Program on 17 July, 2025, and highlighted the powerful impact our program is having on young Australians. The story followed two of our participants through their journey before, during, and after the...
2025 On the Right Track Program Success Stories
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program, On the Right Track
Our 6-month On the Right Track (OTRT) program is tailored for students aged 13-17 at risk of disengaging from their education. It helps them build real world skills through physical challenges, experiential activities and ongoing mentorship. Hear more from our...
Trailblazing Challengers – Cooper Gray Makes Kokoda Challenge History
Kokoda Challenge
This year's Brisbane Kokoda Challenge was special in more ways than one. A particular highlight for the Foundation was witnessing Year 11 student, Cooper Gray, and his team 'The Rollers and Strollers' from Loganlea High School, successfully complete the 18km...
Our Kokoda Challengers are Changing Lives – Hearing from Harry
Kokoda Challenge
Every Kokoda Challenge participant has a story, and every story has the power to inspire others. One of those stories was shared live on ABC Radio on 3 July, 2025. Harry Groom was days away from his second consecutive 96km...
Celebrating our 20 Year Anniversary
Kokoda Youth Foundation
Over 20 years ago, our incredible founder, Doug Henderson, was struck by how little was known about the 1942 Kokoda campaign in PNG - a battle that had a profound impact on the freedoms we enjoy in Australia today, and...
Kokoda Youth Foundation Receives Gold Coast Business Excellence Award
Kokoda Youth Foundation
The Kokoda Youth Foundation has just been named winner of the GOLD COAST BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD in the Education, Training & Employment category. This accolade is a powerful testament to our ongoing success as an educators, and we extend our...
Kokoda Youth Foundation unveils the relocated Canungra Vietnam Memorial
After two years of restricted access, the Canungra Vietnam Memorial now welcomes veterans, families, and the local community following six months of dedicated volunteer work and community collaboration to relocate this poignant memorial.Formerly positioned within the confines of the Kokoda...
Past Kokoda Kid Azania
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
Kia Ora, jingeri, g'day and warm Pacific greetings my name is Azania, and I'm a Kokoda Kid. I was part of the 2022 Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP). I came across KCYP through an email that was sent out to my...
KCYP Group Leader Rodney
Program Volunteer
The Kokoda Youth Foundation is honoured to have hundreds of volunteers support its operation year in and out. Volunteers are the backbone of our Kokoda Challenge Events and certainly our Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP). Every volunteer is essential in...
Past Kokoda Kid Olivia | Graduation Speech
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program is a 9-month life skills program for 14-16 year olds, affectionately know as the 'Kokoda Kids'. The program offers an opportunity for young people who are looking for direction and motivation to succeed.Participants undergo 6...
Jake, Harry, & Gabriel on Digital Detox
Digital Detox
The Kokoda Youth Foundation Digital Detox Program: A Life-Changing Experience for Kids Did you know that up to 30% of a child’s waking time is spent in front of a screen? Research indicates that excessive screen time among 5-17 year...
Past Kokoda Kid Rachel
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
Thinking back to 2009 feels like a stretch sometimes, but when it comes to the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program the memories are clear. I recall a school assembly for year 11 and 12 students where we watched a presentation and...
Past Kokoda Kid Tiffani
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
My name is Tiffani, and I am a Kokoda Kid. You might be scratching your head as you know me not as a ‘kid’, but as a part of the Kokoda Youth Foundation working team. However, journey with the foundation...
Harry on KCYP’s impact to his life
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program
One of the highlight experiences for many of the Kokoda Kids in the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program is the peak experience. Traditionally, the kids would be travelling to Papua New Guinea to walk the real Kokoda Track in the footsteps...
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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.
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