THE Kokoda Youth Challenge is not for the weak, it’s a course that pushes boundaries and builds character.
Rosewood Police OIC Sgt Travis Ehrich working in conjunction with the Kokoda Youth Foundation, is assigned to students from the Rosewood State High School.
“Our cohort takes in Rosewood, Laidley and Beaudesert but I just support Rosewood,” Sgt Ehrich said.
“Laidley [State High School] has an officer attached to it and we work together sometimes because they’re not that far away.
“I was a part of the Kokoda Youth Challenge in 2023, then a colleague did it in 2024 and now I am doing it again.
“We try to dedicate two officers a year in case one gets injured.”
Each year, 12 students from the schools take part in the challenge.
“The selection process is done through the Kokoda Foundation, they have youth workers who interview students following school referrals,” he said.
“Their guidance counsellors and chaplains identify kids that are suitable and then you might get 20 who apply.
“They go through an interview process and shortlist it to the 12 we engage with.”
The Challenge is divided up into sections, the first portion is a 12 week hiking challenge that builds up to 48 kilometres.
“We found having 12 members in the team worked best because a large team during hikes could be a safety issue,” he said.
“A large portion of the hike is done at night and the early hours of the morning.”
It’s not just students who benefit as their family help during the 48 kilometre Challenge.
There are two checkpoints, one at the 18 kilometre mark and the other at 13 kilometres.
They reach the second checkpoint around midnight and families are encouraged to help as support crew.
“Every child needs a support person present who brings supplies like fresh shoes and socks, any medical supplies and hot food,” he said.
“There are tears and hugs when they see them because it’s a challenge for a child of that age to be pushing through for 18 hours straight with only two, 20 minute breaks.”
Now this year’s hiking challenge is complete, the students are undertaking the 12 week community service portion.
“They have a day out of school and do things that give back to the community like visiting Cabanda Care and helping the elderly with chores,” Sgt Ehrich said.
“They’ve also done things like washing fire trucks and cleaning up the fire station.”
Sgt Ehrich has seen the positives that come from this kind of program.
“I think this program has real value and saw that from the start,” he said.
“When we first contributed to it in 2023, the kids showed growth and leadership qualities and re-engaged in the community.
“Now I regularly see some of them working part time jobs around town where they weren’t engaging that way before.
“They are doing well at school and getting leadership roles where perhaps they wouldn’t have if it weren’t for this program.”
