A bunch of boisterous boys from Dubbo's St Johns College are on a three-day trek seen as their "rite of passage" to becoming responsible and community-minded young men.
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The Year 8 students are part of the college's new Step Up program.
They are walking in cold and challenging conditions from Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves on the 44.3-kilometre Six Foot Track.
The boys' final step towards graduating from the program has attracted sponsorship with the money raised earmarked for Orana Support Service.
"We decided to support Orana Support Service given they support victims of domestic violence," co-facilitator of the program and teacher's aide David Heywood said.
"We have talked a lot about respectful relationships with women. Donating to Orana Support Service was something they could do within the community that addressed the issue."
Mr Heywood and fellow facilitator, teacher and college arts coordinator Kirk Watts, brought together the 20 boys with "potential for improvement" in term three 2018.
Working side-by-side with the boys, they have seen them embrace a positive and higher profile at the college, make more friends, learn to "own their behaviour" and communicate better with teachers.
The trek will end on Friday but not the boys' connection to their "role models outside of the home".
"We''ll keep in contact with them by using them as mentors for the next group that comes through," Mr Watts said on Tuesday.
Sponsorship money can be left at the college shop.
