NATURE . CONNECTION. WELLNESS

Welcome to the Connect & Explore page. If what Connect & Explore offers, sparks curiosity in you, please reach out for a friendly chat.

I believe that everyone has the ability to experience wellness, joy and can become the best versions of them selves. My team and I support people to achieve this through Therapeutic Adventures in nature. This is done by using outdoor engaging activities that can be 100% tailored to each individual or group needs and interests to ensure that it is fun, safe, and useful to increasing their wellbeing.

Drawing on nature’s wisdom, Connect and Explore has created experiences that allow you to step into your adventurous spirit and have fun in the self discovery process. The treasure at Connect and Explore is worth seeking... I look forward to welcoming you into the tribe.

Explore our Packages

The choice is yours

Weekend Respite Camps STA

We offer weekend 3-day respite camps for young people and adults in crisis or in need of a therapeutic break. The weekend respite is 100% tailored to the interests and needs of participants and includes all equipment, catering and transport. We offer camping or cabin accomodation.

Children and youth 8-17

Adults 18+

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Carer Retreat

Rest, rejuvenate and restore your mind, body and soul at our Carers Retreat. Immersed in stunning nature spots, delicious food and connect with like minded community. Explore your wellness surrounded by a compassionate team who understands what it means to care for another.

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Bush Adventure Therapy

Day Programs

We offer half or full day individual, sibling or group sessions. The Bush Adventure Therapy sessions is tailored to you and includes a door to door service with transport, all equipment, catering, and qualified facilitators.

Activities can include abseiling, rock climbing, bush walking, low ropes, bush survival skills, yoga/meditation, stand up paddle boarding or swimming.

Children and youth 8-17

Adults 18+

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Tribe Feedback

  • “Its really fun, you should do it. Dom will take care of you. Lots of fun activities.”

    C.P. - 14 year old STA participant

  • “This is the first time I have felt peace”

    15 year old - Day Program Participant

  • “Such a great program and such a great day”

    -Lithgow High School Teacher

  • "Outdoor Adventure Therapy, it is a thing. A very worth while thing for those that need to reconnect, centre themselves and just reap the benefit of the earth's natural energies. Here is a great company helping people do just that"

    -Lithgow High School Teacher

  • "Another adventure with the outdoor therapy program at school. Mt York was our amazing location, right around the corner from home. We did some breathing exercises and mindfulness before starting. Im so glad we did because I definitely needed it before going down the last big rock".

    Lithgow High School Teacher

  • "I havn't seen him that happy in a long time. I didn't realise he was adventurous. He cant wait for program days."

    - Participant carer

This week, I get to be the participant on a 7-day sea kayaking instructor course yahoooo. For those who know me, this is taking me outside of my comfort zone, which I am proud of and love that I take steps to grow, expand, and continue playing outsid
This week, I get to be the participant on a 7-day sea kayaking instructor course yahoooo. For those who know me, this is taking me outside of my comfort zone, which I am proud of and love that I take steps to grow, expand, and continue playing outside in areas that are a little more unknown to me. There may be some belly breathing this week for me, for those who have spent time with me outside, you will know I love a good belly breath in the face of new challenges 😉 🤗🌬💨 #wellness #connect #explore #seakayaking
Yesterday went off with a huge amount of fun. This was the 1st group program in the Hawkesbury 🤙 Partnered with @kayakkruzer, who provided the kayaking equipment and facilitated the kayaking adventure. Huge thanks for the adventure and keeping us safe!!!! Play on the water provides awesome space for young ppl to make friends. We explored an island, swam, laughed, friends were made, yummy lunch, fire bush craft, time to play, and celebrated young person's birthday. Thank you, everyone, for an amazing day and the Connect & Explore team who made the day possible by supporting the young people with 1:1 tailored support, picking up from home, and being amazing mentors 🫶🏽 #bushprogram #schoolholidays #friendship #ndis #wellness #nature #youthmentoring #connection #hawkesbury #darugcountry
1:1 session with an awesome young fella. Fishing, yum food, boulder hopping, quartz discoveries, river exploring anddddd exploring how the human body works. Today, we had inquisitive discoveries about why we drink water, how to change what we say, why having fun in nature is so gooood for our machines (aka body, mind spirit). Watching the sun set as we crossed the river back to the walking track. #bushadventuretherapy #ilovenature
Emergency Respite at times when things are getting or are heated and everyone needs some space to recalibrate. Feel free to call on the day The young person will receive 🌿 Safety emotionally and physically with trauma informed staff 🌿 1:1 support 🌿 Cosy cabin accommodation 🌿 Nurturing time in nature 🌿 Wholesome homemade food 🌿 Fun activities for where they are at Accept referrals from DCJ, Carers, Out of home care, school, NDIS. Pick up and drop off provided from Western Sydney, Lithgow, Central Coast, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains. Contact Dominique on 0429 146 117 or connectandexplore@hotmail.com #emergencyrespite #ndis #youthmentoring #respite #carer
Woohooo, it's here again. Free Bush Programs for young people who live in Lithgow LGA in April School Holidays. When: 23rd & 24th April (School holidays) Where: meet at 9am and pick up 3-4pm at PCYC Lithgow Who: young people ages 8-17 who expe
Woohooo, it's here again. Free Bush Programs for young people who live in Lithgow LGA in April School Holidays. When: 23rd & 24th April (School holidays) Where: meet at 9am and pick up 3-4pm at PCYC Lithgow Who: young people ages 8-17 who experience disabilities, neurodivergent. You can have NDIS funding. This is still free of charge. Why: connect with nature, make awesome friends, and become a part of a tribe who accepts you for who you are (you are awesome as you are). You will be a part of two tribes Connect & Explore and PCYC Lithgow 😊 If you're interested, reach out to Dominique on 0429 146 117 or connectandexplore@hotmail.com This program is generously funded by Office for Regional Youth. Partnering with the awesome PCYC Lithgow Team. #youthmentoring #wellness #lithgow #WiradjuriCountry #friendship #explorenature #schoolholidays #connectandexplore
This is a shout-out to all the amazing women in my life, my Mum, mentors, friends, young women, and girls I work with, colleagues, and women before my time. Thank you for all your wisdom, knowledge, growth, teachings, and love I can draw upon today.
This is a shout-out to all the amazing women in my life, my Mum, mentors, friends, young women, and girls I work with, colleagues, and women before my time. Thank you for all your wisdom, knowledge, growth, teachings, and love I can draw upon today. Women, we are magical and powerful beyond our wildest dreams. Free to dream and live our shiniest and biggest dreams. Our power lies within each everyone one of us, powerful just as we are. Happy International Womens Day magical humans ✨️ #internationalwomensday #love #alicewalker
Wanting an April school holiday activity for your children/teens? We have organised an adventure on the Nepean river kayaking, fire making, mindfulness tools, swimming, creating new friends, and delicious cooking in the bush. For young people 8-17 wh
Wanting an April school holiday activity for your children/teens? We have organised an adventure on the Nepean river kayaking, fire making, mindfulness tools, swimming, creating new friends, and delicious cooking in the bush. For young people 8-17 who experience disabilities, siblings, and all young people who desire to have fun in nature. Safe and fun holiday adventure. When: Wednesday 17th April 2024 Time: 9am-3pm. Cost: $380pp includes everything you need for fun and safe adventure. NDIS funding available plan or self managed. Where: Devlin Rd, Castlereagh NSW What to bring: self, swimmers, towel, hat, water bottle, personal medication. Connect & Explore and @kayakkruzer have partnered to offer this amazing holiday adventure. Contact Dominique on 0429 146 117 or connectandexplore@hotmail.com to book your spot.
February Camp Day 3 🏕 (but in cabins ☺️) ✨️Amazing young fellas ✨️Awe inspiring mentors ✨️Awesome weekend #youthmentoring #wellbeing #connectandexplore #nature #bushcraft #rockclimbing #meditation #breathwork #drumming #wellness #bestself #ndis #ndisnsw #respite #mentalhealth #neurodivergent #community
This camps intention was to discover our inner calm through exploration in nature and internal wellness tools. These young fellas harnessed their inner Zen #youthmentoring #wellnessjourney #camps #ndis #bushadventuretherapy #mentalhealth #connectandexplore #wiradjuricountry #gundagurracountry
February Camp 🏕 These young fellas are developing the skills of a fire master. The patience, inner calm, desire to learn from mentors, and resilience, it takes in learning a new skill. Day 1 There was some frustration with the learning, pushing thro
February Camp 🏕 These young fellas are developing the skills of a fire master. The patience, inner calm, desire to learn from mentors, and resilience, it takes in learning a new skill. Day 1 There was some frustration with the learning, pushing through the discomfort and having the success of creating fire lit up a sense of pride and power within the group. Empowered that they have the skills and ability to do challenging things that they desire, that discomfort does not mean we have to stop, that as a group we have each other's backs through the learning process and being together is so much sweeter when the goal is achieved, in this case the sparks in the tinder catch alight 🔥 #bushadventuretherapy #respite #ndis #community #wiradjuricountry #gundagurracountry #nature #wellnessjourney #youthmentoring #friends #connection #connectandexplore
Shout out to the legend today. Getting out and about for a walk in their local area. Some days we don't feel so good, plans change, but still choose to do things that make us feel great, like going for a walk, belly breathing, chats, and lilypilly be
Shout out to the legend today. Getting out and about for a walk in their local area. Some days we don't feel so good, plans change, but still choose to do things that make us feel great, like going for a walk, belly breathing, chats, and lilypilly berries (maybe I was the only one stoked on the berries 😋☺️🫐) #bushadventuretherapy #walking #mindfulness #walkandtalk #penrith #darugcountry
Today, we set off with the intention to gauge where our confidence and ability is with bush walking and to feel good. The simplicity of feeling good is not to be underrated. Good vibes and feeding our system of what lights us up and brings joy has wonderful ripple effects. This week, my personal moto from my mentoring is "its not hard to ... when it feels so good to ..." It's not hard to bush walk when it feels so good to swim in the river. We had fun playing with this moto today. Thanks for a wonderful day legend ✨️ #bushadventuretherapy #wellness #bushwalking #connect #explore
I am super grateful for all of you new to following my page. I would like to share a bit about me and what I offer to the community. I offer Bush Adventure Therapy - Respite Camps and Day programs. What does that mean? We explore what it means to be
I am super grateful for all of you new to following my page. I would like to share a bit about me and what I offer to the community. I offer Bush Adventure Therapy - Respite Camps and Day programs. What does that mean? We explore what it means to be the best versions of ourselves through exploration in nature. I started @connect.and.explore about 2 years ago with the intention of creating a tribe where people from all walks of life have the opportunity to explore in nature, discover what brings them joy and tools to create wellness in their life. I have been blessed with mentors in my life, discovered my love of nature, and learnt the tools to be my own creator of my life. I desire to pass on what I know and love to others. The programs are: ✅️ Safe ✅️ Fun ✅️ Immersed in nature ✅️ Nourishing food (cooking skills) ✅️ Tailored to each individual/group ✅️ Wellness tools that are practical and engaging ✅️ Transport available upon request Locations include 📍: Western Sydney, Lithgow, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains & others upon request. Interested or care for someone who is keen. Give me a call on 0429 146 117 or head to www.connectandexplore.com Dominique 🫶🏽 #wellbeing #youthmentalhealth #youthmentoring #mentorship #meditation #NDIS #respitecare #respite #hawkesbury #lithgow #penrith #sydney #westernsydney #bluemountains #centralcoast #southwestsydney #northernbeaches #youthservices #neurodiversity #autism #NDISRespite #wellness #outofhomecare #DCJ #youthempowerment
Creating a space where people feel safe emotionally and physically is #1 priority. Why does this come before adventure and fun, you may ask? Because when we feel safe, then we can open up to new things, people, experiences, step out of our comfort zone, exploration of the world and ourselves. Here is us on the first day of the program, creating our safety bubble in this group with a sprinkle of team games. Create safety within yourself and that ripples. Why not give it a go? ⭐️ Name a person, place, imaginary figure, animal that you feel safe? ⭐️ Where in your body do you feel that? ⭐️ Breath that in through the 👃 for 3 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Where our program day started and ended each day at Lithgow PCYC gymnasium, thank you for the support!!! #youthmentoring #bushadventuretherapy #wellness #safety #ndis #lithgow #wiradjuricountry #emotionalsafety
This week, I get to be the participant on a 7-day sea kayaking instructor course yahoooo. For those who know me, this is taking me outside of my comfort zone, which I am proud of and love that I take steps to grow, expand, and continue playing outsid
Yesterday went off with a huge amount of fun. This was the 1st group program in the Hawkesbury 🤙 Partnered with @kayakkruzer, who provided the kayaking equipment and facilitated the kayaking adventure. Huge thanks for the adventure and keeping us sa
1:1 session with an awesome young fella. Fishing, yum food, boulder hopping, quartz discoveries, river exploring anddddd exploring how the human body works. Today, we had inquisitive discoveries about why we drink water, how to change what we say, wh
Emergency Respite at times when things are getting or are heated and everyone needs some space to recalibrate. Feel free to call on the day The young person will receive 🌿 Safety emotionally and physically with trauma informed staff 🌿 1:1 suppo
Woohooo, it's here again. Free Bush Programs for young people who live in Lithgow LGA in April School Holidays. When: 23rd & 24th April (School holidays) Where: meet at 9am and pick up 3-4pm at PCYC Lithgow Who: young people ages 8-17 who expe This is a shout-out to all the amazing women in my life, my Mum, mentors, friends, young women, and girls I work with, colleagues, and women before my time. Thank you for all your wisdom, knowledge, growth, teachings, and love I can draw upon today. Wanting an April school holiday activity for your children/teens? We have organised an adventure on the Nepean river kayaking, fire making, mindfulness tools, swimming, creating new friends, and delicious cooking in the bush. For young people 8-17 wh
February Camp Day 3 🏕 (but in cabins ☺️) ✨️Amazing young fellas ✨️Awe inspiring mentors ✨️Awesome weekend #youthmentoring #wellbeing #connectandexplore #nature #bushcraft #rockclimbing #meditation #breathwork #drumming #wellness #bestself #ndis #nd
This camps intention was to discover our inner calm through exploration in nature and internal wellness tools. These young fellas harnessed their inner Zen #youthmentoring #wellnessjourney #camps #ndis #bushadventuretherapy #mentalhealth #connectand
February Camp 🏕 These young fellas are developing the skills of a fire master. The patience, inner calm, desire to learn from mentors, and resilience, it takes in learning a new skill. Day 1 There was some frustration with the learning, pushing thro Shout out to the legend today. Getting out and about for a walk in their local area. Some days we don't feel so good, plans change, but still choose to do things that make us feel great, like going for a walk, belly breathing, chats, and lilypilly be
Today, we set off with the intention to gauge where our confidence and ability is with bush walking and to feel good. The simplicity of feeling good is not to be underrated. Good vibes and feeding our system of what lights us up and brings joy has
I am super grateful for all of you new to following my page. I would like to share a bit about me and what I offer to the community. I offer Bush Adventure Therapy - Respite Camps and Day programs. What does that mean? We explore what it means to be
Creating a space where people feel safe emotionally and physically is #1 priority. Why does this come before adventure and fun, you may ask? Because when we feel safe, then we can open up to new things, people, experiences, step out of our comfort zo