Forge character,
Forge resilience,
Forge futures.

The Forge is not a camp,
not a school program.

It is an ecosystem facilitating 3 days of premium mentorship, immersive experiences, reflection and discovery translatable into real-world lessons.

Real Life Experiences in Real Time with Real Mentors.

This is preventative mental well-being initiative designed to equip boys 12 – 16 years, including rural and Indigenous communities, Forge their own path facilitating resilience, confidence, emotional literacy, leadership, enhance potential and practical life skills through immersive mentoring experiences and positive role models bridging take-home inspiration for future growth in pursuit of a purposeful, meaningful life.

Register your interest

The Forge Retreat Dates

Friday 9th – Sunday 11th April 2027
Friday 17th – 19th September 2027

The April Forge is planned for Kilcoy with future retreats expanding to other regional locations thanks to our partner properties.

The Forge - LP - 2

Connecting our youth to effective, high profiled mentors and guests

This 3 day immersive retreat, based in Kilcoy, Queensland, is developed in collaboration with Local Government and experienced Mentors, including Supply Nation recognised Indigenous business leaders and child strategists. Providing strong mentoring, The Forge supports young people to successfully transition from school into the workforce, within a safe and functional environment for workshops, mentoring sessions and group activities.

Each day commences with a resilience and leadership session led by Dr. Carli Axford to release stress and create lasting transformation, followed by mentoring with leading business and community leaders.

All Forge team members are Blue Card compliant, along with a qualified paramedic onsite, Child Safeguarding according to the Child Safe Standards and Cultural Respect & Inclusion.

Forging Your Own Path

Meet some of Forge Mentors including respected Australian business leaders and health & wellbeing experts who contribute to The Forge Retreats throughout the year, subject to availability. Inspiring action, forging futures!

Dr Glen Richards

Dr Glen Richards

Founder Greencross Vets & Channel 10’s Shark Tank Panellist and Investor

PD

Phillip Di Bella

Coffee icon - Di Bella Coffee, The  Coffee Commune

Theo Vairaktaris

Theo Vairaktaris

Director, USHER GROUP, Entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, Artist & Philanthropist

Daniel Hall

Daniel Hall

Indigenous Business Leader
Craig Anthony

Craig Anthony

Private Adviser · Author · Speaker
Business Leadership & Human Behaviour

Dr Carli Axford

Dr Carli Axford

Author & Nervous System Educator

Mentor participation confirmed based on availability, ensuring each Forge experience delivers the highest possible standards and outcomes for participants.

Connectivity, Character Community & Culture

Every participant leaves The Forge empowered with a stronger sense of community, who he wants to become. Mentors provide the tools enabling them to live a life by their design – building a future they choose instead of one they fall into. Every boy leaves with his symbolic North Star by generating his personal Forge Personal Compass – a declaration reflecting his values, life direction and ambition anchoring his memorable Forge experience for life and share with siblings, peers and future generations.

Register your interest
The Forge - LP - 1
Michelle Lagana

"As a mother of 2 adult sons I am excited to continue to Build Character and Forge Futures for these boys and future generations:

  • A physical challenge can become “What am I capable of?”
  • Building or creating something becomes “What can I create?”
  • Teamwork and friendships become “How do I stand with others?”
  • Responsibility becomes “What will I stand for?”
  • The mentor stories expose the boys to different possibilities for their own lives.
  • And the reflection, journalling and future-self work ultimately facilitates the biggest question: Who do I want to become?

Instead of lecturing boys regarding what a man should be, we create experiences, introduce ideas, tell real life stories, real life challenges, pain points, opportunities and ask better questions as part of their self-discovery moving forward."

Michelle Lagana, 
Founder

Register your interest

A member of The Forge team will contact you to answer questions, discuss dietary, medical consents or accessibility requirements, provide a Parent / Guardian Information Pack, and explain how to secure a place.

Total investment is $2,300 per participant, with a $300 dollar holding deposit to secure a place upon acceptance. The balance payable prior to the program. A complimentary, non-compulsory participant pre-program wellbeing questionnaire included. Limited subsidised places and internships will be offered.