The Schoolies invasion is coming soon. The Red Frogs will also be back in Kuta to help all those Aussie Schoolies to stay out of trouble while on the island this November/early December. The Beat spoke with Nickey from Red Frogs to find out more.
Briefly, what are the Red Frogs all about?
Red Frogs is a support program for young people from the ages of 15 – 25. We recognize that the culture of young people is dominated by alcohol and that excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances can lead to dangerous and life altering behaviours. Therefore Red Frogs empower young people to make positive life choices and they provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fueled environments where young people gather. Red Frogs also educate young people on safe partying behaviours, and promote and provide non-alcoholic and/or diversionary activities that engage young people in these environments.
How long have the Red Frogs been coming to Bali?
This is Red Frogs fifth year in Bali. Red Frogs has been operating in Australia since 1997.
Where can the Schoolies find the Red Frogs in Kuta or Seminyak?
As well as being in 15 hotels across Bali including the Bounty Hotel, The 101 Legian, Adi Dharma, Kuta Townhouses and The Jayakarta, Red Frogs will again be manning a hub in Kuta, next to the Bali Bomb Memorial on Jl Legian.
Are we expecting as many Schoolies this year as always?
It can be hard to know how many young people will be coming to Bali for Schoolies, but we estimate 6,000 schoolies will be in Bali.
Any special message to the Schoolies who will be in town during the next couple of weeks?
The Red Frog Bali crew have five tips for anyone heading over to make sure this is a trip worth remembering:
- Ensure you’re insured – be sure to get the right policy for your time away – read the fine print to know what is and isn’t covered before you get to Bali.
- Ignorance is not bliss with the law – know and obey the local laws. There have been some changes to drug and alcohol laws in Indonesia, so be sure to know the boundaries.
- Be in the know – register and subscribe to the latest travel alerts at smartraveller.gov.au and download the Smartraveller and Red Frog app to keep up to date (or request a walk home or visit!)
- Think before you drink – if the prices of drinks are too good to be true, they probably are. Avoid shots, spirits and mixers – be alert to the possibilities of methanol poisoning.
- Keep in touch with mum! Be sure someone at home has copies of your itinerary, passport, insurance policy, visas and credit cards – and then be sure to call or text home to touch base.
