Boys to the Bush (BttB) was founded in 2017 by three NSW school teachers who saw too many boys from disadvantaged backgrounds slipping through society’s cracks.

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In just five years BttB has impacted thousands of lives of regional youth in Albury-Wodonga, Forbes, Bathurst, Leeton, Wangaratta and Young; and we know we’ve saved lives too. At risk male youth aged 8-22 years is our primary focus, but community development and connecting all strata of regional communities is critical feature of our successful model. Our programs provide a platform of involvement and mutual benefit for communities - through farm/workplace visits we connect boys to good people in their local community; showing them they have a thriving support network.

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BttB uses an unique approach that combines early intervention, diversion and prevention in complex youth, and it works - producing off the scales reintegration/rehabilitation rates of 99.4%. Our diverse programs cater for different ages/stages; and we’re constantly revising and developing programs in consultation with caseworkers, families and individual boys

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Our organisation is strengthened by high numbers (approx. 25%) of staff who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Furthermore across our programs around 50-60% of our young participants are First Nations youth at varying stages on their journey of identity and connection to culture.  

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With the support of Waratah Education Foundation BttB have created a new position to embed First Nations cultural safety and program content across our organisation

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