Military-style boot camp for kids & teens + Parental Guidance Workshop
Overview
The Junior Leader Program is a 9-day military-style boot camp developed to support children struggling with self-esteem, lack of respect, poor behaviours and technology addiction.
Our Junior Leader Program is deliberately challenging, designed to push participants outside of their comfort zones and show them that it is possible to achieve great things they never thought possible.
As part of our Junior Leader Program parents / guardians of participants will also attend a full-day facilitated course and workshop that allows you to explore your own strengths and constraints, identifying ways to capitalise and manage these.
Key Learning Outcomes
Our programs are developed by Defence Force veterans who have experienced the impact of military-style training on behaviour and perspective. Using skills acquired in the Australian Defence Force, our veterans instill essential values that help participants forge successful life paths.
RESPECT
Respect for self, others and country is key. Participants will learn that respect is earned and the value of an unwavering moral compass.
COURAGE
Courage will be tested through activities such as public speaking, high ropes, camping and sky-diving, just to name a few.
TEAMWORK
Teamwork is essential in everyday life from home, school, sport or the workforce – the skills of successful teamwork are a necessity.
RESILIENCE
From the beginning of the program, participant creature comforts will be taken from them and we’ll teach them the ability to stay balanced and strategies to cope with adversity.
HONESTY
Honesty is essential for trust and that sense of community. This trait is taught from the beginning and how leaders are developed.
INITIATIVE
Participants will be conditioned to seek additional tasks and complete with haste and minimal guidance. They will learn proactiveness and pride in their duties.
Participants will also build their own sense of community and support from other participants, and will have loads of fun along the way.
Upcoming programs
$6,000
Canyonleigh, Attunga, NSW
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6,000
Yandina, QLD
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6000 Early Bird $5,500
Yandina, QLD
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6,000 Early Bird $5,500
NSW
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6,000 Early Bird $5,500
Yandina, QLD
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6,000 Early Bird $5,500
Canyonleigh, Attunga, NSW
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
$6,000 Early Bird $5,500
Yandina, QLD
Includes Parent Workshop for 2 people
Call now to register for or find out about our next boot camp for kids
Program Finance Options Available
We’ve developed key partnerships to help make our programs more accessible, to more people in need. Should you require financial assistance to access our programs, please check out our range of short and long-term finance. Interest-free short-term finance is available as well as low-rate long term finance of up to 7 years.
Activities
We place the highest importance over essential tasks to create a routine that involves pride, workmanship and motivation to carry-on outside of the program.
These include:
- physical training & nutritional education
- making beds
- polishing their boots
- ironing their uniform
- cleaning their barracks
- marching.
In addition participants will also have loads of fun participating in:
- climbing rock walls
- abseiling
- high ropes
- an Army-style obstacle course
- survival training
- tandem parachute jump from 12,000ft
Location & Accommodation
Our Junior Leader Programs are conducted in Queensland and New South Wales, in purpose-built student school camp facilities, that are selected for their natural surroundings.
If interstate or overseas, to make it easier, we only ask parents to get their child to the local Airport on the first day of the course; we will provide transport between the airport and the program location.
Attendees will be supplied with bunk bed accommodation, access to amenities and all their meals during their stay with us.
Meals
Participants will be supplied with all meals during the program.
Any participant dietary requirements can be accommodated when advised on enrolment and every effort will be made to accommodate religious dietary needs.
If your child has a specific requirement that might incur additional costs, then you may be asked to pay a levy to meet the additional cost incurred.
There are no vending machines available, or access to local shops and no food products may be brought into the training facility.
Ready to register?
Call NowParent Workshop
Get the skills you need to support your child after the Junior Leadership Program.
The Parent Workshop is a full-day, interactive experience designed to equip parents and guardians with the tools to support their child’s growth beyond the Junior Leader Program (JLP). This workshop provides valuable insights into how the JLP works, its impact on your child, and strategies to nurture and maintain their personal development at home. Through guided discussions and practical activities, you’ll gain skills to enhance communication, set effective boundaries, and foster teamwork within your family.
In addition to supporting your child, the workshop emphasises the importance of your own well-being. Learn practical tools for self-care, emotional resilience, and mindful parenting, ensuring you can lead by example. With expert guidance and a supportive environment, this workshop will empower you to strengthen your connection with your child and create a positive, structured home environment.
Inclusions
✔ Expert-led instruction and group discussions
✔ Light refreshments for morning & afternoon tea
✔ Access to the Veteran Mentors team for support and questions
✔ Participation for two parents/guardians
Keen to learn more?
Download our Junior Leader Program Brochure
As seen on sunsrise
Sunrise Correspondent, Bianca Stone, visited our Junior Leader Program on the Gold Coast. Watch the news clip and see firsthand what kind of transformation is possible after our 9-day boot camp.
Junior Leader Program FAQ’s
We understand you may have some questions. We’ve popped our most frequently asked questions below – if you can’t find an answer you need in our FAQ’s, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
How old does my child have to be?
We accept children from age 12-17.
What will my child learn on program?
Children who attend our Program will learn our six Key Learning Areas (KLA); the same principles taught to us in the military. Values and Ethics, Self-Worth and Confidence, Teamwork, Responsibility, Resilience, and Health and Well-being. The Program is deliberately challenging and is designed to help participants move outside their comfort zones. The Program aims to provide the participant with the knowledge and self-awareness to be an engaged and contributing member of their community.
How much is the program and what's included in the cost?
Our Junior Leadership Program is an all-inclusive, intensive experience like no other. We provide:
- 9-day, 24/7 Program
- Transport to Program from the designated airport (and back if necessary)
- Food – 5 x meals per day (no added sugar)
- Accommodation (in barrack-style bunks)
- Access to Military Clothing and Boots on Program
- Takehome Veteran Mentors T-shirt, hat, water bottle and personalised dog tags to keep after Program
- Personal Training by qualified instructors
- High Ratio of instructors per participant (approx. 1:5)
- Full-time onsite Counsellor
- Full-time onsite Medic
- CPR and First Aid Instruction
- Guest Speakers – including but not limited to: Dietician, Meditation Group, Motivational Speakers
- Excursions off-site
- Regular Facebook updates in a Private Parent/Guardian Group
- Graduation Parade, March Out Presentation and morning tea for families
- Phone call from child’s Mentor during Program
- Phone call from child’s Mentor 2 weeks post-Program
- Cleaning
- Insurances
- GST
The cost is A$6,000 per child or A$5,500 if booked as an early-bird offer (future program). Interest-free finance options are available.
For participants with access to the NDIS, we may be able to offer NDIS-funded support (depending on your plan). Due to the additional 1-1 support and higher staffing ratios required for NDIS participants, our program cost is A$6,000 inc. (no early bird special).
My child has NDIS funding. Can they use this to access the programs?
This depends on the type and level of funding. Please get in touch with us directly to discuss your child’s eligibility for NDIS-funded support.
Due to the additional 1-1 support and higher staffing ratios required for NDIS participants, our JLP program cost is $6,000 inc. GST (no early bird special).
I'm a Veteran or a widow/widower of a Veteran. Can my child/family access any kind of financial support to attend JLP?
Please get in touch with DVA to find out if you can access up to $10,000 support per year for your child.
You can find more details about the support packages and eligibility requirements here – https://www.dva.gov.au/
financial-support/support- families/defence-veterans-and- families-acute-support-package
Is 9 days enough time?
Our Program begins at 6am and runs through with activity until 9pm at night. We fit as much learning, teaching, activity and exercise into one day as possible! We have over 120 contact hours with your child in that 9 days.
Where are you located and when do your programs run?
We currently operate Programs during each school holidays in:
- New South Wales (Central Coast, and Kangaroo Valley – 90min from Sydney)
- Queensland (Sunshine Coast – 90min from Brisbane)
However, with more than 40% of our participant attendance coming from interstate, we also provide airport transfers to/from Sydney and Brisbane airports. Please note we will share specific timeframes and designated airport details following program enrolment.