It was the first visit to the National Assembly for Wales for many of
the teenagers and they were even more delighted to discover that the camp had
been funded for 2008. The teenagers took
part in the first-of-its-kind Youth Adventure Camp during National Parks’ Week
in August 2007 which was organised by
Powys Community Safety Partnership, along with Bannau Brycheiniog National
Park Authority, Dyfed Powys Police, Army Headquarters 160 (WALES) Brigade, the Ghurkha Demonstration Company and the Countryside Council
for Wales (CCW). The project –
appropriately named ‘on the wild side’ – was designed to offer
disadvantaged teens an unforgettable summer experience focusing on the
environment, character development, team building, and community spirit.
Iolo Williams pledged his support for the camp earlier in the year by saying: “This
is a fantastic project where everyone has come together to give these teenagers
an opportunity that they would normally not have a chance to experience.
The camp will give them the confidence to make informed choices about the
environment around them, their personal goals and their professional
goals. You couldn’t ask for a better location than the Brecon
Beacons National Park to hold this type of adventure.”
PC Andy Pole, Youth Camp Organiser and Community Beat
Officer for Dyfed Powys Police said: “We are delighted to receive news
that we can fund this camp for 2008.
This is an opportunity to provide a partnership approach to support
young people in the Powys area. It is our intention to expose these young
people to new experiences and enable them to boost their confidence, self
esteem and team building skills.
“Plans are well under way for next year and we are
hoping the camp for 2008 will be bigger and better.”
Picture credits: Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice
and Local Government, Nerys Evans AM for Mid and West Wales, Kirsty Williams-
AM for Brecon and Radnor, Researcher David J Wills, PC Andy Pole from Dyfed
Powys Police and Samantha Scutt from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park pictured with
the teens who took part in ‘On the wild side’ Youth Camp for 2007.