South Australia’s Campbelltown City Council has developed an innovative program to overcome a perceived lack of recreational opportunities and age relevant things to do for young people in its local area.
Located eight kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, Campbelltown youth often travel to Adelaide for entertainment, as they are unaware of leisure activities available to them in their local area.
‘Race Around the Council’ is an innovative way to foster a sense of place among youth and to raise awareness of a wide range of opportunities that are locally available to them.
Council’s Youth Development Officer, Daniel Popping, described the initiative as “Survivor meets The Amazing Race”.
“Race Around the Council aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle, increase local awareness and link young people to their local community, places, spaces, businesses and facilities,” he said. “Teams of four people aged 16 to 25 work together to solve a series of cryptic clues that lead them to local destinations. They then compete in a physical challenge to get their next clue. Each destination is predetermined and supported/administered by a local community group, local business or local recreation facility.”
Council first ran the program in 2006, and now plans to hold the event annually. This year’s event was held in July. Nine teams of four competed in activities such as building model boats to float down a local river, planting trees, acting, basketball, ballet and a photo treasure hunt.
Daniel Popping said the initiative also reinforces key messages to young people.
“For example, a key task this year related to alcohol awareness,” he said. “The task increased awareness of standard drink measurements and the amounts of alcohol in premixed drinks.
“The effects of alcohol were also conveyed, with teams required to wear beer goggles while collecting discs along a straight line.”
The 2008 race also introduced a time bonus/penalty system for the first time. Teams that were found cheating, being disrespectful or speeding were issued with time penalties, while teams that worked well together and displayed good teamwork were given time bonuses.
Daniel Popping said this made the teams more competitive and increased teamwork.
The program concluded with an evaluation and winning teams receiving their trophies. First prize was $400, while prizes such as movie tickets and skirmish vouchers were given to teams that displayed good teamwork and camaraderie.
Race Around the Council complements a Council publication titled, ‘A Youth Guide to Local Places and Spaces’. This 40 page, colour booklet was developed in partnership with Council’s Youth Advisory Committee and highlights unique local places and spaces that are fun, easy to get to and affordable for local young people.
All of the places and spaces were nominated and reviewed by local young people and over 5,000 copies have been distributed in the local community.
For further information contact Daniel Popping on (08) 8366 9213.
