Dressed in themed outfits and equipped with a mobile phone, cash budget and Opal cards, the teams will travel throughout the city completing challenges and activities to earn points and be crowned the winning team!

To prepare the students for the experience, we run a pre-program briefing that provides an overview of the program, what to expect, and what personal gear to bring. Teams will then undertake a planning session where they will choose their job roles and their team theme.

Students are supervised in the city by their accompanying teacher, with an Urban Challenge guide leading and supporting them through the program.

Every member of the team will take on a Job Role for the duration of the program. Roles range from Team Leader to Navigator, Treasurer to Equipment Officer, with each role carrying specific responsibilities that contribute to the successful functioning of the team.

These roles are an integral part of The Urban Challenge, allowing each individual to make a meaningful contribution to their team's success. By working together to fulfil their designated roles, participants not only develop their teamwork skills but foster a sense of shared accomplishment.

All meals and snacks (including coffee for teachers!) are provided during The Urban Challenge. Teams will receive a cash budget and have opportunities to plan, shop, and/or prepare their own food, all while accommodating the team's dietary needs and varying preferences.

Meals will vary from a takeaway or picnic lunch, to a BBQ by the beach or a team dinner out in Chinatown. On multi-day programs different meal challenges are presented daily ensuring a variety of healthy food groups are available.

Every student and teacher is supplied with an Opal Card lanyard, granting them unlimited travel on public transport for the duration of the program. Teams will plan their own travel and will need to decide the most suitable options to ensure they reach their destinations promptly and efficiently.

Travel is one of the key aspects of the program, as it involves real-world challenges that are encountered when navigating a bustling city. This opportunity for hands-on experience with actual consequence makes the learning immediately applicable for the students.

In addition to the actual challenges, parts of The Urban Challenge are run via our interactive website. Each day, the team is tasked with uploading an engaging blog that recounts their adventures and sharing some photos to keep as mementos of their experience.

We also offer a dedicated Program Page on our website, designed specifically for family members who wish to follow the teams' progress from home. This feature offers a glimpse into the excitement of program, allowing loved ones to stay connected and even complete their own challenges to contribute points toward their child's team!

Students participating in The Urban Challenge will face an array of challenges delivered by a mysterious and elusive Game Master. From setting clues to planning activities and sending bonus challenges, the Game Master creates a dynamic and engaging experience providing participants with exciting ways to earn points for their team.

During multi-day programs, each day features a different module with a unique flow of activities and new set of challenges for the team to tackle. To learn more about these modules, visit our Multi-Day Programs page.

On our multi-day programs students, teachers and their guides stay at our partner group accommodation venues throughout Sydney such as YHA Hostels and Cockatoo Island. This provides students with a supervised and structured overnight experience.

In the evenings students partake in various activities and enjoy a relaxed dinner together at a designated location. These activities range from team-oriented challenges like bowling, to opportunities to explore Sydney by taking a night ferry ride. This time fosters a sense of togetherness and allows for purposeful reflection on the day's experiences.

To learn more about evening programming and our overnight offerings, head to our Multi-Day Programs page.