CrossTrek
CrossTrek
Valuing Communities & the Environment
AWOL@YouthTrek
Adventure Walkabout Outdoor Leadership
Murri Minute - AWOL Program, Maryborough
The deadly stories campaign celebrates the many achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their communities across Queensland. Over the next few months we will be posting a...
AWOL is a partnership initiative by CrossTrek and Kahwun Wooga. AWOL is also being supported by the following organisations: Fraser District Scouts, Riverside Christian College and Outdoor Adventure Gear Maryborough.
AWOL is an adventure based leadership development program designed and facilitated by Ross Harrold from CrossTrek. Ross has delivered similar programs in Normanton Queensland, working with Indigenous students from grades 5, 6 & 7. Currently Ross facilitates an adventure based leadership program at Riverside Christian College called YouthTrek@Riverside, with grade 9 & 10 students.
The AWOL program aims to give year 6 and 7 students the opportunity to develop and nurture their leadership potential before high school, as well as to develop their confidence in themselves. The key element to this program is it is a mentoring process that focusses on mateship, self sacrifice, respect and facing challenges. There is no other long-term, sustainable, indigenous focused program in the Maryborough area that encourages, develops and nurtures leadership potential, aimed at young indigenous males.
The AWOL program is closely linked to the LEAP - Learning Earning Active Places strategy of the Queensland Government. LEAP is a strategy for improving access to education, employment, health and housing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Queenslanders in urban and regional areas.
- Strengthen the capabilities (Health, wellbeing, education and skills) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - focusing on individual development
- Increase access to social, economic and cultural opportunities and address the barriers to participation - improving access to services
- Promote healthy life style choices that lead to positive long-term change for families and communities - supporting prevention and early intervention approaches.
- Support stronger cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in cities, towns and regional centres - supporting cultural growth and awareness.
The AWOL program is designed to let boys be boys in a program that will let them take positive risks after assessing their value.