High flying Crows legend Tony Modra spent last weekend on assignment for the Crows Foundation deep in the heart of the magnificent Flinders Ranges.

Modra trekked through rugged terrain and abseiled down a 50 metre rock face alongside participants of Operations Flinders - a unique wilderness program which works with troubled teenagers.

Each year more than 300 young people, aged 14-18 years, spend eight days on the 100km trek through the Waraweena Conservation Park in the northern Flinders Ranges, about 540km north of Adelaide.

The aim of the program is to rebuild their confidence and self esteem, and improve their attitude and people skills, through demanding outdoor challenges which promote positive experience and personal achievement.

The Crows Foundation recently pledged $7500 to the Operation Flinders program.

Tony said he was surprised at how tough the course actually was and what was expected of the participants.

"It's a real test of the mind and body," Modra said. "Some of my pre-season camps were pretty tough but they were only 3-4 days. These young people are out there for eight days. They would be really tired and buggered by the end of it."

Modra, who commented that most of the participants would have been in nappies when he was enjoying his goalkicking exploits for the Crows, said it was pleasing to see the participants finally embrace the experience.

"At first many of them were trying to fight it, but once they adjusted to their surroundings and settled down, you could see they were enjoying themselves," Modra said.

"It is a fantastic concept and I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity, by the Crows Foundation, to see the workings of it firsthand."

Teams of eight-10 young people and a team leader, an assistant and two counsellors embark on the "life changing" course which intentionally removes the participants from their comfort zone and familiar surroundings to force them to handle new situations.

Activities over the eight days includes bush survival, abseiling, raft building, trekking and gathering and preparing their own food.

The tasks are designed to help the young people develop trust, leadership and teamwork.

Operation Flinders was founded in 1991 by Pamela Murray White, a remedial teacher and former army officer, who was determined to set up a program aimed at helping troubled teens.

The Crows Foundation was formed in April 2005 with the aim of raising funds for causes involving children in need.

Over the past year the Crows Foundation has raised funds for numerous charities including the Leukaemia Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, Camp Quality, the Bone Growth Foundation, Danny Ross Foundation, Cranio Facial Australia and the Red Cross "Breakfast Club" program.

For more information on Operation Flinders please visit www.operationflinders.org