Next Gen youth trainers
Kind - Compassionate - Confident - Capable
Next Gen is where young animal lovers find their human herd. A small wait-listed programme for 8-16 year olds who love animals and being outdoors. We meet for a full day together each month, building real skills and real friendships around a shared passion for animals.
Who is Next Gen for?
Next Gen is for young animal lovers who want to become better trainers, better communicators, and better humans. Because it turns out the skills that make you great with animals - empathy, patience, reading body language, building trust - are exactly the same ones that help you relate to siblings, friends, and pretty much everyone else you'll ever meet.
What actually happens at a Next Gen session?
You'll spend hands-on quality time with the Positively Together team - two and four-legged! Horses, dogs, sheep, chickens, bunnies - we care for and work with them all, and you'll see for yourself how reward-based training works across every species. Along the way you'll grow your own human "herd", connecting with like-minded friends as we play games, cuddle animals, geek out on behaviour science, and enjoy the farm life. Many life-long friendships have been built through Next Gen over the years!
More than animal training
The skills we focus on run deeper than training techniques. Consent. Communication. Resilience. Compassion for others, and for yourself. We know that pre-teen and teen life is genuinely hard work. Anxiety, pressure, navigating relationships - these are real for all of us and we don't pretend otherwise. Next Gen is a safe, grounded space to learn, grow, and build confidence.
Next Gen has been bringing young animal lovers together since 2018! We usually fill by word of mouth and regularly have a waitlist - if you're interested, complete the form below.
Kids say:
"I love Next Gen because it makes me feel like I'm in a safe place, and I can talk and ask questions without feeling like it's a wrong question or thing to do. "
Take a peek at what we get up to
WE DO:
Fun - Friendship - Inclusivity - Empathy - Animals - Learning - Laughs
Vulnerability - Acceptance - Silliness - Real Conversations - FUN!
WE LEARN:
Life skills - Animal care and training skills - Confidence and patience
How to build positive relationships with animals and people - Tools to cope with stress and anxiety
Parents say:
"She comes home a better person... she says she loves it because there's no digital devices, just lots of fun with good friends outdoors, learning and playing with horses and the other animals"
Meet the coaches
Click below to visit our "Meet the team" page where you can learn more about our coaches.
FAQs
Do you have to have your own pets?
No, Next Gen is inclusive of all, as long as you love animals, you'll fit right in. The skills you learn are relevant to other pets as well as in life in general.
Can I bring my own horse or dog or other animal?
We work with the Positively Together team of animals (and trust me, we have plenty!), so please don't bring your own. This is for the safety, enjoyment and welfare of animals and humans. There may be occasional opportunities for Next Genners to bring an animal along, however this will be invite-only for specific purposes. We create enough chaos on our own!
Is Next Gen suited for my child?
Next Gen is for 8-16 year olds. Kids are split into age- or skills-based groups for the different activities.
Our sessions usually have around 20-25 kids/teens with a team of four coaches, and we spend all day outside with the animals. Next Gen is a busy, active environment and so it is not the right fit for children who need one-on-one supervision or support beyond what our coach ratio allows. If you're unsure, reach out - we're happy to have an honest conversation.
Where will activities take place?
Most of the events will be at Positively Together home base, in Wright Road, Aongatete.
What is included?
Monthly events - regular full-day sessions working with the Positively Together herd and other animals at Bex's place.
We also occasionally run field trips, and our famous summer camp in January as an optional extra.
Consistent attendance is strongly encouraged so that friendships and knowledge/skills can be built upon. Many of our Next Gen kids have been with us for years (and several of our coaches started out as Next Gen trainers themselves, over 5 years ago!)
What is the schedule ?
We hold events 10-3pm on one Saturday per month, and two days during spring and autumn school holidays.
We take a break for the winter in May, and return in September.
Autumn season: Feb, Mar, Apr x 2, May
Spring season: Sep, Oct x 2, Nov, Dec
What is the cost?
A season pass (spring or autumn) is $445 for 5 sessions.
Summer camp in January is an optional extra.
I have more questions, how can I ask these?
Just email or message Bex or Brooke via Facebook, or call 021440078 if you have questions, we're happy to discuss further.