Digital treasure hunters have boosted opportunities for young people to gain important life skills.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the Island ran the Seven Hilltop Adventure Challenge, a geocaching event, to mark the 60th anniversary of the award. Between April and October, 42 people signed up for the digital treasure hunt, buying books of clues and scouring the countryside to solve them.
Alison Gawne, Awards’ Co-ordinator, said: ‘The Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service delivers the award in the Island via schools, youth groups and uniformed organisations.
‘The award offers young people the chance to volunteer in the community, undertake physical activities and go on expeditions, developing skills that will be useful to them as they go to university and start work.
‘At any one time, more than 800 local young people are working towards gold, silver and bronze awards.
‘The geocaching challenge both encouraged people out onto the hills and helped to raise money for the local grant fund, which assists young people with the cost of their award.’
Participants were entered into a draw and prizes were presented on Saturday (5th November) at Ardwhallan Outdoor Education Centre.
JANE CREER - 2 RETURN FLIGHTS WITH CITYWING
KATHRYN EGERTON - WEEKEND STAY AT THE HOSTEL AT ARDWHALLAN OUTDOOR CENTRE
PAT CLAGUE - EXPEDITION SIZE BERGHAUS RUCKSACK FROM NEWSONS TRADING
SUE GAWNE - TRANGIA CAMPING STOVE FROM OUTDOORS RAMSEY
MICHELLE MACMILLAN - SCUBA DIVING POOL SESSION FOR 2 PEOPLE WITH DISCOVER DIVING
KIRREE SWIFT - FAMILY TICKET FOR THE 2017 SEASON FROM GROUDLE GLEN RAILWAY
KAT FOWLER - FOUR TICKETS FOR THE SANTA TRAINS AT GROUDLE GLEN RAILWAY
BREEGE FAHEY - 6 MONTH MEMBERSHIP AT THE PALACE HEALTH CLUB
PAM HARVEY - ONE MONTH’S GYM MEMBERSHIP AT THE NAUTILUS GYM
RACHEL NORTON-BUCHLEITNER - 2 X SUITCASES FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR
ELIZABETH MURDOCH - ?20 VOUCHER FROM MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE
EMILY KEE & CLIVE SWIFT - TWO SWISS ARMY KNIVES FROM MILLETS
GILLIAN HINDS - ?10 VOUCHER FROM PROMENADE T-SHIRTS
KAY SKEHAN - A GOODY BAG FROM MANX RADIO
Winner Pat Clague commented: ‘I have always enjoyed getting out on the hills and the challenge gave me that opportunity. I have had great fun resurrecting my compass skills and feel much fitter from the experience.’
Thanks go those who donated prizes and to the sponsors of the geocaches: the Venture Centre, Manx Telecom, Ardwhallan, McGarrigle Architects, PDMS, Go-Mann Adventures and the Youth Service.
Alison said: ‘We will continue to sell clues at ?5 a copy and keep the geocaches going to raise more money. To date, more than ?2300 has been raised for the local award this year through events, including one generous donation of ?1000.’
For information on the award, visit www.gov.im/categories/education-training-and-careers/duke-of-edinburghs-award/
Photo - Some of the prize winners.
