The role of the Youth Recreation Project is to provide personal development and outdoor recreation opportunities to young people in the Blue Mountains.

To this end we run several different programs and camps in partnership with other youth services in the Blue Mountains.

* OUTDOOR EXPLORE

* ACTIVITY DAYS

* SNOW TRIP

* SUMMER CAMP

* WORKSHOPS

The Youth Rec Project operates from Katoomba but covers the whole Mountains. The programs are mainly outdoors based with the Youth Recreation Officer being qualified in outdoor pursuits such as abseiling, bushwalking and mountain biking. The service provides outdoor camps and day programs.

They regularly run programs with schools, youth accommodation services, youth centres, the local Aboriginal community and other youth centres. The programs have a personal development focus, particularly on issues such as drug and alcohol, family relationships, schooling and dealing with emotions.

Key programs include:

Snow Trips

Since 2002 the Youth Recreation Project has been running a yearly trip to the snow.  A highlight from the 2002 Snow Program was this statement from a young participant,

"It was an amazing experience. I never expected to have so much fun. It had made me feel like a teenager running wild and free. For me personally this is a feeling that happens rarely. So thank you so much for giving me the most exciting and wonderful trip. It had given me the reality check about how old I was and who I am”.

2005 was the biggest year yet with 2 trips to the snow. One trip was the traditional Selwyn downhill trip. The other was a backcountry snow camping trip to the Mar Valley.

Summer Camps

During the summer months the Recreation Project runs several camps for young people in the Blue Mountains.  The camp might be a surf and snorkelling trip to Jervis Bay or a bush camp at Dunns' Swamp.

Outdoor Explore

The Outdoor Explore Community Learning Program is an early intervention program for students at risk of suspension or expulsion from school or other education. It is run in partnership with the Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Service, Katoomba High School and Blaxland High School.

Day Activities

The Youth Recreation Project also runs day activities in partnership with local Youth Centres.  The sort of activities that are on offer are mountain biking, bushwalking, canyoning, abseiling and climbing.