Overview
The Operation Flinders Foundation is a not-for-profit South
Australian charitable Foundation that offers a unique wilderness
adventure program for young offenders and young people at risk. It
is a program that is considered to be world leading in its field.
The program takes participants between the age of 14 and 18 years on
an eight day trek in the far northern Flinders Ranges, providing an
opportunity for its young participants to break away from their past
and grow as valued members of the community.
The Foundation offers a unique program that presents its
participants with a new direction in life. Teams trek 100km through
the spectacular Flinders Ranges with the aim to develop personal
attitudes of self esteem, leadership, motivation, teamwork and
responsibility. They learn basic bush survival skills, are taught to
abseil, and learn of the rich history of
the Flinders Ranges. Unlike other aspects of their lives, there is
not an opportunity for the participants to 'opt out'.
Each team, of between 8 and 10, is led by a team leader skilled in
navigation, bush craft and working with young people. The young
participants live out and sleep on the ground, prepare their own
food, navigate through the Flinders Ranges and learn the values of
teamwork, goal setting and respect.
An independent evaluation in 2001 reported that the program at that
time lead the world in its outcomes, and found that the young people
at high risk underwent a significant positive change as a result.
Operation Flinders fields teams from both metropolitan and regional
communities throughout South Australia. The program caters for an
average of 320 participants per year, with over 4000 young people
participating since its inception in 1991.
A key objective of the Foundation is to effect a positive life
change for young people at risk by improving self esteem and
confidence, increasing the rate of return to education, encouraging
young participants to seek employment, or positive opportunities, in
their local communities. The Operation Flinders Foundation program
gives young people at risk a second chance at life.
The program is part funded by the South Australian Government with
the remainder of the funding being provided by corporate and
philanthropic support. To support the existing program and
strengthen the public awareness of Operation Flinders, the
Foundation has decided to open its doors to the wider community and
offer a program that focuses on those in the corporate sector.
The Foundation is going to make a team space available for corporate
clients to participate in a tailored four day trek in September 2010
– The Guts and Glory Challenge. Should there be sufficient interest
a further team can be accommodated.
The funds raised by the event will be used to fund a team of young
South Australians to participate in the Operation Flinders 8-day
wilderness program.
Developmental Importance
The key focus of Guts and Glory is to strengthen public awareness and support of the Operation Flinders Foundation. The support received from the corporate sector is integral in ensuring the success and longevity of the program. By highlighting the benefits of the Foundation’s youth program, Operation Flinders hopes to foster and develop relationships with supporters and potential partners from the corporate sector.
Developing strong corporate relationships will ensure that Operation Flinders can maintain its invaluable service and will see the benefits of the program made available for the years to come.
A number of Operation Flinders Foundation corporate sponsors have already indicated strong interest in this year’s event.
