As part of their Poppy Adventure Breaks programme, the Royal British Legion are kindly sponsoring 7 weeks of activity breaks for Service dependants in July/August 2019.
These Poppy Adventure Breaks, co-ordinated by RAF Community support on a tri-service basis and delivered by the Youth Hostels’ Association, provide excellent opportunities for young people to participate in a wide range of activities appropriate to their age and abilities.
Programme
The Action Adventure programme for young people aged 10-16 yrs is available during the summer holidays over 4 weeks. The programme includes a wide variety of activities detailed against each camp.
The Go Extreme programme for young people aged 10-16 yrs is available during the summer holidays over 2 weeks. The programme includes a wide variety of activities detailed against each camp.
The Ravenstor camp is a Young Action Adventure programme for our younger age group, from 8-9 yrs of age, and runs for 1 week only.
Young people will be allocated to activity groups dependent on their age, aptitude and ability.
Supervision and Instruction. All activities will be run by trained and qualified instructors meeting the requirements of the respective single service Off-site, Residential and Outdoor Education Activities policy. Supervision throughout the programme, including evening activities and overnight, is provided by trained YHA staff. There will be Community Support staff in attendance throughout the programme.
Equipment. Activity equipment including walking boots and waterproof clothing can be provided by the centre. A full kit list will be forwarded to participants well in advance.
Accommodation. Accommodation is in shared rooms. There are a limited number of en-suite rooms with the majority having shared wash facilities. Rooms vary from 3 to 12 bed space rooms. Accommodation is of a good standard.
Eligibility. The residentials are open to all service dependants aged between 8-16 years of age.
Priority. As the funding has been generously provided by the Royal British Legion Poppy Adventure Break fund, priority is given to young people who fulfil one or more of the following criteria, as determined by the RBL:
- From a household where the child has difficulty socialising, lacks confidence and self-esteem.
- Where the family have not had a holiday away from home in the last two years.
- From a family experiencing health or emotional difficulties as a result of service in the armed forces, prolonged separation, bereavement or break up of the family.
- From a family experiencing hardship and/or distress caused by the service person being deployed on overseas operations.
- From a family where a parent is caring for a disabled partner or a child is caring for a disabled parent.
- From a household with a gross annual income of less than £30,000 per annum (excluding War Disabled Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments).
Cost of Board. All food and accommodation at YHA is included, however participants will require a packed lunch for the journey to the hostel.
Spending Money. Camp attendees are unlikely to require more than £25.00 in cash for the week.
Transport. It may be necessary to make your own transport arrangements to YHA camps which are easily reached by road or rail. There should be no assumption that transport will be provided.
Initial applications should be submitted electronically to: [email protected] no later than 30 April 2019. RAF Community Support or the YHA may then need to seek further information from you. You will be informed no later than 10 May 2019 whether your application has been successful.
If you have any questions or require any further information, please direct your enquiries to: [email protected]