ADVENTURE CAMP CHALLENGES YOUTH IN PARDOO

The ‘Adventure Camp’ component of the program covered a series of topics including conflict management, challenge by choice, lateral thinking, personal leadership styles and asking for help.

Young participants were encouraged to exert themselves outside of their comfort zone and apply their personal leadership skills and critical thinking to solve problems and work in teams.

Teamworks Development Australia facilitator Tom Cleghorn said the three-day module also focused on mentoring activities, leadership followship and barriers to leadership.

“It was about getting the participants to work as a group and challenge them to identify their external and internal barriers to good leadership – manage controllable events and learning to cope with things out of their control,” Mr Cleghorn said.

“We also ran some ‘symbolic’ activities, such as being blindfolded and letting someone guide you.  We then discussed the metaphors embedded in these types of activities and the underlying message.”

Mr Cleghorn added that the participants thoroughly enjoyed the tailor-made module.

“Feedback coming from the young people involved in the exercises was very positive.  Teamworks staff delivered the program as facilitators - not as instructors, and this made a big difference in letting the participants assess themselves, brainstorm and share experiences and stories with each other.”

Program participant Sarah Amiradaki said the she understood that good followship is the key to good leadership.

“I learned that it is possible to lead and follow at the same time: In order to be a good leader and be able to mentor someone, you have to continually assess your own skills and follow your own lead,” she explained.

The program is being made possible thanks to partnerships established between the  Hedland Youth Stakeholders Action Group, the Telethon Institute for Child Health and the Town of Port Hedland.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Town of Port Hedland’s Community and Economic Development Services on 9158 9300 or email mgrce@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Chris Adams

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

25 September 2009

* ENDS *

Media contacts

Town of Port Hedland:            Veronique Thomas-Smith (08) 9158 9355

publicityofficer@porthedland.wa.gov.au