What is the Connect program?

SU QLD’s Connect Program is a long-term adventure-based learning program designed to help young people who are at risk of suicide, are facing exclusion from school, come from broken homes or are locked into cycles of addiction.

Connect is an early prevention and intervention program for youth at risk, providing a number of adventure camps to help young teenagers develop positive attitudes, improved self-esteem and essential life skills. As part of a holistic approach, Connect also involves key faculty and family at every stage.

It aims to break negative habits and behavioural cycles by helping ‘at risk’ young people to critically evaluate their experiences in school and in the community, and to help them set a positive course that will support their life goals.

The program aims to help young people to:

• Develop positive attitudes, self-esteem and a belief in themselves;
• Be empowered to live purposeful lives;
• Decrease their alienation from school, parents and the community; and
• Develop caring relationships through an essential support system.

The program involves a series of adventure-based / experiential learning camps that include activities such as abseiling, hiking, canoeing and ropes courses. It is through involvement in these activities that participants learn invaluable leadership skills, self belief, team work and general life skills. Once participants have completed the Connect Program they continue to receive small group support and individual mentoring, from key people in their school and community, to ensure the skills learnt during the Program continue to be fostered.