Somerset College

A free holiday project including everything from outdoor adventures to community projects, is being offered to 16 and 17-year-olds in Taunton Deane and West Somerset.

It is part of the National Citizen Service Programme (NCS), a flagship Government initiative aimed at supporting the Big Society, with 30,000 students around the country set to take part.

The NCS Somerset programme is being run by Somerset College in Taunton, giving young people the chance to experience adventure and challenge, develop skills and contribute to their communities.

The programme runs from July 9 to August 3 and 45 students chosen on a first come basis will take part in five days of adventure in Snowdonia, North Wales; a team working residential skill building period in the Quantocks; then planning and carrying out a community project from a base at Somerset College.

The week of outdoor adventure will include everything from climbing and canoeing to gorge walking and high ropes, followed by an eco friendly  'bush camp' in the Quantock Hills, with team building activities as well as guests and VIP speakers.

Students will also explore what kind of community project they want to design and create in week three, and spend the final, fourth week putting their plans into action. All aspects of the programme will be run by qualified leaders.

“The students will not only have the chance for some fantastic adventures and fun, the skills and experience gained will be of real benefit to the community and highly valuable for themselves and their future careers,” said Will Taunton-Burnet, NCS Project Team Lead.

For further details please see www.ncssomerset.org or contact myncs@somerset.ac.uk or 01823 366410.