Project Challenge is a registered Charity which delivers an intensive training programme to young people between ages 16-24. It combines classroom learning with tough physical challenges. It aims to deliver an effective youth programme to meet the needs of disaffected young people by the use of a 6 month basic skills training programme. The current training schedule consists of two programmes of six months each with participants working in smalls teams of between 8-10 young people. This provides a high staff : participation ratio ensuring individual attention.
3 domestic outdoor residentials, lasting 3,4 and 5 days respectively are interspersed with the above.
At the end is a three week expedition to a wilderness area in Europe. A place on this expedition has to be earned and is the ultimate test of confidence and teamwork where each team member is reliant on each other and must have the confidence in their own and each others ability. There also needs to be a feeling of looking out for each other and need to succeed.
Training delivery is the responsibility of the Operations Team and qualified specialists as required help them.
Reviewing and feedback are an essential part of the learning process and to be effective require structure and a good understanding of the process and the need for it to take place at the appropriate time as well as being a toolkit for ideas and activities.
The real learner however is about changing attitude, behaviour and social involvement – a physical and mental journey to a better future.
Project Challenge has five rules which must be obeyed:
- No Drugs
- No Alcohol
- No Thieving
- No Vandalism
- No Violence
These may seem easy but it is hard for some people whose lifestyle depends around these things. A weekend may seem easy but for the young people they have no access to the usual drug / drink pattern and for violent people being so close together for a period of time in stressful conditions where they are faced with problems that have to sole is extremely difficult. They begin to realise that they can rely on themselves to make decisions that work. They realise that violence is not the only answer.
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