Young Enterprise Scotland

Although the schools are on holiday, YES still runs a number of programmes over the summer.  In Summer 2008 2 groups of students from St Katharine’s and Howden Hall Centre in Edinburgh spent a week at the Ben More Outdoor Centre in Dunoon.  Along with YES trainer Brian Doherty and care workers from the centres, the groups were involved in activities such as hill walking, mountain biking, caving, kayaking, abseil, gorge walking, a ropes course and a climbing wall.

The week started off with the young people and adults meeting up for a briefing and tour of the venue.  They then went through the activities and tasks for the week ahead.

Comments included “This was great, I really didn’t think I would be able to do that”, “that was amazing!” and “what are we doing next?”  As well improving their communication and team work skills, listening to instructions improved and young people from different units began to work as a team for the first time.  It is hoped that the outdoor experience will act as a catalyst for positive change as the students head into the new term.  All participants received certificates at the end of the experience and all agreed they had had a great time! 

YES also runs a Summer Olympics Programme at St Katharine’s and Howden Hall.  The programme runs over two half-days a week throughout the whole summer and students complete in activities such as volleyball and bowling which are ‘handicapped’ to create an equal playing field among all participants.  Feedback has been really positive and there are still two weeks to go until the end of the challenge.  All young people who have participated will receive a medal.