The Canberra PCYC Adventure program is an early intervention program for vulnerable young people who are disengaged from education, engaged in anti-social behaviour, and are highly at-risk of contact with the justice system. The 20-week program includes daily sessions addressing social and emotional wellbeing, life skills training, social skills training, goal making, followed by the “sick as” tailored PCYC adventure activities including motorbiking, mountain biking, kayaking, swimming and bush adventuring.
The program involves collaboration with other community services and government agencies, including The Junction, Street Uni, Cancer Council, the AFP, and youth centres. Prior to graduation, external services and supports are aligned to ensure smooth transition to appropriate support networks beyond PCYC.
The program has previously included teenage males and females, and in 2018, the program was adapted to include young people aged 8 – 12, in order to address the service gap for early intervention programs addressing this particular age group.
Outcomes have included young people increasing their ability to control emotions, returning to mainstream schooling, improved relationships in the family home, improved mental and physical health, having better knowledge of services, gaining employment, and gaining stronger connections to community.
