Outdoor adventure has a massive impact, especially when you are 11 and vulnerable. Mountain camp is the first camp on our 3 school-year programme that gives young people the hope, confidence and skills to face the challenges in their daily lives. Challenges such as: bullying; self esteem issues; chaotic home lives; on the brink of exclusion from school; no positive role models; living in poverty or rural isolation. We give these young people a chance to fulfil their potential in life
Swindon and Wiltshire are home to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the UK. Their circumstances make it all too easy for these young people to make poor choices that will affect the rest of their lives. Children growing up in such environments are severely disadvantaged in terms of educational attainment, life skills and future prospects and are particularly prone to risks such as youth offending, substance misuse and poor friendship choices.
"You guys are certainly a 'life giver', changing peoples' perspectives of themselves and others. Giving them ambition and drive for new things" (Parent) Mountain Camp builds resilience, teaches responsibility, improves self confidence and encourages skills such as communication, team work and trust. Feedback shows that once young people have been on Mountain Camp they perform better at school, have better relationships with friends and family and are more able to cope with life's challenges
Our approach and early intervention work not only improves behaviour and aspiration, but it raises standards at school and nurtures civic responsibility; contributing directly to government objectives on community cohesion, offending and the natural environment. The 14 young people helped through this project will apply the skills the programme gives them within their school and home environments, enabling them to make constructive changes in their lives and aspire to a more optimistic future.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
