NDCAS app-quest

While Narrabri and District Community Aid Service celebrate youth every day, they have taken on the mission with renewed competitive spirit this Youth Week, holding a quest on an app, the first of its kind in the community.

The interactive app-based competition called Adventure Quest will start behind The Crossing Theatre and see 150 Narrabri youth band together in teams of four to six, unlock challenges around the town, and have a chance to win prizes.

NDCAS community development officer Kayla Nehrkorn said the passion project has been in the works since August 2022 and was developed in Brisbane with Total Team Building: an organisation that specialises in community-engagement events.

“We’ve put a lot of heart and resources into Adventure Quest, and we’re thrilled that it was ready in time for Youth Week,” said Miss Nehrkorn, who has been spearheading the challenge.

The quest has seen a lot of support from community organisations and businesses, garnering a $4000 dollar sponsorship from Whitehaven Coal, and being backed by the Narrabri Shire Council and NSW government.

“We get a lot of feedback from parents that they’d love to see more exciting activities for the kids to do, and we absolutely agree and have been doing our best to deliver,” said Miss Nerhkorn.

“We came up with the app quest because the kids love doing sport and will jump on anything active, and we think that they’ll love the challenge and using technology.”

As well as a host of prizes for the winners, including a ‘why leave town’ gift card and a ‘best dressed’ competition, the goodie bags alone are enough incentive for getting involved.

“We’ve got power packs to keep phones charged during the day, water bottles, sunscreen, amongst other cool goodies,” said Miss Nehrkorn.

Using GPS technology and live maps, the Adventure Quest journey encourages youth from 12-24 years old to come together and work together, as well as experience something brand new.

The app will direct kids to answer questions, complete video and photo challenges, problem-solving activities, and random on-the-spot challenges, and will earn points, all on their phones.

The annual NSW Youth Week takes place from April 20 to 30 and has been taking place since 1989 in celebration of young people across Australia.

The week is about encouraging young generations to participate in activities, get their voices heard, and just have fun.

“We didn’t want to do something focused on mental health, we just wanted the kids to be kids, to be curious and energised, and out participating in the community.”

NDCAS has also taken kids from neighbouring Wee Waa community into consideration, organising a bus with Namoi Care Connect to help with transportation to and from Narrabri so they can participate too.

Registered teams will check in and have a free breakfast behind the crossing theatre around 9am before heading off to complete the quest.