Reach is a Melbourne based non-profit organisation.  Our "Crew" of 100+
specially trained young leaders (aged 16-25) run workshops, weekends away and
large-scale events that help young people connect with each other.  In 2005, we worked with over 40,000 young people Australia-wide.  By creating an encouraging, supportive and stimulating environment, teenagers discover for themselves that they can do anything they set their minds to.  It's this personal discovery that makes the best teacher.

The Reach Crew use facilitated group work, role modelling, and popular culture (music, film, etc), to help young people consider their lives in a new way (and have an awesome time!).  

Independent research shows that Reach programs help young people improve overall levels of self-esteem, optimism and feelings of control over themselves and their lives.  

One of the programs within REACH is DreamCatcher which aims:

• To create the possibility of that "one lucky break" for young people who may be  requiring/ could benefit from networks and opportunities
• To develop young people's life skills, and support them in benefiting from opportunities.
• To enable young people to educate and inspire business leaders, professionals and Corporate Australia.
• To provide business leaders the opportunity to connect with young people.
• To further the Reach vision that every young Australian should have the support and self-belief to fulfil their potential and
• dare to dream

Through the DreamCatcher, Reach can foster and manage the goodwill, skills and ideas of some of the most successful and respected business people in the country. The DreamCatcher provides practical ways to keep business leaders and industry experts, such as Outward Bound  involved in supporting the dreams of young people.

Outward BOUND has provided Reach crew and DreamCatcher participants amazing opportunities which encourage them to believe in themselves and their dreams, and increase their confidence by taking them out of their comfort zones. Both organisationsork with a real cross section of young people to create positive experiences or them and challenge them physically, emotionally and spiritually.  And of course, we have a fundamental passion to see young people's dreams become a reality.
 
Over the past couple of years, members of the DreamCatcher program have had the opportunity to participate in an Outward Bound program. Here is what some of them have said:

It was the absolute experience of a lifetime, and it's taught me lifelong skills. To be able to get through the 12 days, I needed to start thinking about a team first, not myself, and had to learn the meaning of proper teamwork and cooperation with a group of people I'd only just met. I will be forever grateful to Outward Bound for giving me that opportunity to live, grow and learn.

 

Tegan, 15

Outward bound...  The greatest challenge of my life!!!  I have never been so far out of my comfort zone.  I was forced to push boundaries and battle myself mentally.  The journey reflected so many aspects of life, and when looked into, contained so many lessons.  The power of the mind is often underestimated.  Although the challenge was so physical, I believe it was even more mental.  It has strengthened me in so many ways.  As I run into hurdles in my everyday life, I am often able to compare them to my experience in outward bound, and I am still to find a hurdle larger.  Other challenges in my life that once seemed so big, now seem like insects. Knowing that I could complete the Outward Bound challenge gives me more confidence to crush other challenges that arise in life.

 

Paulo, 20