Overview

Kids on Country is a collaboration between Aboriginal community leaders, secondary schools, industry partners and Nature Foundation staff and volunteers. Each project partner shares a passion and expertise for increasing the capacity of young people, to build on their skills and aptitudes for personal growth, and help their communities achieve long-term success. This innovative and unique program embeds knowledge of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal connection to country, together with STEM education.

Summary of project outcomes

Nature Foundation has developed the Kids on Country (KOC) program over the past three years with remarkable feedback from all stakeholders involved in the program. Since its launch in 2016, Kids on Country has directly impacted 98 young Aboriginal people from remote and metropolitan areas in South Australia. In 2018 the KOC program expanded and an additional 56 Aboriginal students benefitted from the program.

ABC journalist, Samantha Jonscher, visited Kids on Country Immersion Program at Hiltaba reserve in May 2018 and the program has been featured on ABC online, ABC Adelaide 7pm news, and Behind the News (BTN), the ABC children’s news program. A radio interview about the program also aired on Bumma Bippera Media.

What makes this project so special?

The Kids on Country program takes a new approach to help address the low school retention rate of Aboriginal young people and to increase community health and wellbeing. It is an alternative learning program that strengthens cultural identity and ignites a desire for learning, both of which positively impact students’ commitment and capacity for ongoing education.