Who we are

Camp Kokoda and Kokoda Park are proudly owned and operated by the Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) which has proudly supported Australian young people and their local communities for more than 20 years. The Foundation was established in 2004 by Doug and Anna Henderson and is deeply grounded in the 1942 Kokoda Campaign values of courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice.

It operates in three key areas:

Youth Programs: Our fully-funded programs are for young people aged 8-17 years, and are grounded in the Kokoda values. Our life-changing programs help disengaged youth discover greater purpose, stronger resilience, personal growth and community connections.

Kokoda Challenge: This team endurance event series pushes Challengers to their physical and mental limits while raising funds for the Foundation. It is offered in 4 locations across Australia, with distances ranging from 18km – 96km.

Outdoor Education: These facilities provide immersive, nature-based destinations where schools and organisations can come together for transformative experiences that build greater character and confidence.

OUR FOCUS: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION AND TRANSFORMATION

KYF’s mission is to change lives through the Spirit of Kokoda as we honour the legacy of the Australian soldiers who fought for our freedom in Papua New Guinea during WWII. This heroic defense of our country against imminent invasion and the spirit of our young soldiers demonstrates that when bravely step into the unknown, look out for each other, and show unwavering commitment, impossible things suddenly become achievable.

The Spirit of Kokoda instils the values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice into the community of today. These timeless values still have a profound impact on our ‘Kokoda Kids’ and Kokoda Challengers and we believe they are the basis of a thriving community.

CONTRIBUTING TO: INDEPENDENCE, SELF-RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY MINDEDNESS

We believe that embracing and overcoming challenges shapes attitudes and inspires positive change. By facing adversity, participants break through their pre-conceived limitations and grow in confidence, resilience, and optimism.

This journey fosters a deeper sense of personal satisfaction and optimism, while encouraging participants to become more caring and considerate – building a brighter future for their families, communities, and the world.