20/04/12…..Summer challenge for young people in Oxfordshire
YOUNG people from across Oxfordshire are being invited to take part in this year?s Summer Challenge ? a free of charge programme for 16 and 17 year olds in the county, aimed at improving skills and offering young people next experiences to help their future.
The programme is part of the National Citizen Service (NCS), a government initiative which focuses on the personal and social development of young people, while supporting local communities as part of the Big Society agenda.
Oxfordshire County Council is one of the key delivery partners for the scheme running across England, which saw over 8,000 participants complete the programme last year.
Summer Challenge runs from Thursday 26 July to Friday 31 August 2012, and consists of activities designed to bring out the best in participants, teach them new skills, challenge themselves and enable them to make new friends, while giving something back to their community.
Ryan Johnson, NCS Co-ordinator for Oxfordshire County Council, said: ?The idea is to bring young people from different backgrounds together to meet new people, challenge themselves and try out new things, while giving them the opportunity to make a difference in their own communities and most importantly have fun.
?The Summer Challenge is a voluntary programme and is open to anyone who will be 16 or 17 years old by Friday 31 August 2012. Once participants have registered an interest, programme representatives will be in touch to discuss the scheme in more detail. There are 105 places in Oxfordshire up for grabs. I would encourage people to sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, it is a great initiative.?
Programme of events
The programme will open at the beginning of the summer holidays with activities and team building exercises.
An induction will take place on Thursday 26 July which will include laser gaming and a high ropes day trip.
From Monday 30 July, participants will spend five days away from home at an adventure residential centre, taking part in challenging outdoor activities such as coasteering, surfing, rock-climbing and gorge-walking.
From Monday 6 to Friday 24 August, participants will develop and deliver their own social action projects related to subjects or issues they are passionate about. They may get involved in arts, creative media, music performance and events organisation to bring their concept to life, identifying and supporting a need within their community in creative ways.
On Tuesday 28 August, each team will have another trip away at a residential centre to look back at the Summer Challenge and what they have learnt and put together a presentation for their friends and family.
The programme will end with a joint graduation day and summer celebration on Friday 31 August for everyone involved in the programme in Oxfordshire.
After the Summer Challenge, the participants will be invited to take part in other activities including a Volunteering and Opportunity Fair in October.
Suleiman Ahmed and Kiran Dhingra-Smith took part in the programme last year. Suleiman said: ?I gained a lot from my NCS experience. I have made some friends for life and feel like a valuable member of my community.? Kiran added: ?For my community project I taught basketball to local kids. It was great to give something back to my community.?
How to sign up
Young people first have to express an interest in the programme either via leaflets in schools, Early Intervention Hubs, the County Council?s oxcentric website or the National Citizen Service. They will then be sent a sign up pack.
Parent or guardian consent will be needed before anyone can be accepted onto the Summer Challenge.
If you have any further questions or need support completing this application, please talk to a member of the Summer Challenge team on 01865 896282 / 815870 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
SOURCE: Press release
