Snowdonia District Association

Youth Page

Camping in the Youth Section.

The youth Section is for Children aged 12 – 21. We also have a junior section for Children aged 8 – 12. The junior section allows the younger children to experience camping on their own with a little bit of basic cooking and first aid. The juniors must however be under the guidance of their parents. At the age of 12 they then become a youth member paying a youth membership fee entitling them to their own membership cards and the chance to join in with the Regional and National Youth Rallies. Whilst in the Youth section they will be put through their paces and undergo a Youth Test. The Test consists of First Aid, Map and Compass, Tent erection, Packing of Kit, Cooking and Countryside code. Once they have done their test and are over the age of 14 they will then be entitled to go on the international youth rallies every year. For any other queries please do not hesitate to e-mail us at the address shown below.

Leanne Jones youth leader

Phil Jones Junior Youth Leader.

email:-via secretary@snowdoniada.co.uk

Each year, Snowdonia DA runs a 'Passport' scheme for all young people who camp with us during the season. On each occasion they camp with us a Committee Member will sign their 'Passport' to confirm this and if they have eight signatures by the end of the season they will be presented with a small gift from the DA. This year we are pleased to report that two of our regular campers achieved this and our Youth Leader Leanne Jones presented them with Gelert Gift Vouchers at the 'Alternative to Bonfire Meet' at the beginning of November.

	Youth Leader Leanne presents Ffion and Ieuan with their vouchers

FICC Youth Rally, Poland 2005     National Youth Rally 2005, Plymouth

FICC YOUTH RALLY POLAND 2005

Introduction

The 54th annual FICC (Federation of International Camping and Caravanning) International Youth Rally took 275 international youth and their leaders, from 10 countries, to Warsaw Poland from 24th – 28th March. 179 of these members were British and descended on Poland via Coach and Air Travel. During our stay at Warsaw youth from the age of 14-30 joined in with the sports, excursions and entertainment organised by the Polish team.

Day 1 Thu 24th March

Throughout the day participants arrived at their destination, campsite No. 123 at Bitwy Warszawskiej a 15 minute walk from the city centre. At 19:00 all participants joined in for the opening ceremony held at the local bowling alley/nightclub (ARCO). Lars Dahlberg, President of FICC, opened the Rally. The celebrations continued into the night with the opportunity of meeting friends old and new.

Day 2 Fri 25th March

At 11:00 all participants joined in for the excursion to Warsaw. Eight coaches were organised along with tour guides for the historical journey into the city centre, this gave us all a chance to remember the devastation of the Second World War as it ruined the homes and lives of hundreds of thousands of people in this city alone. Considering only 10% of buildings in Warsaw were left standing after the War this city has made a complete turnaround, with many new buildings recently built to show great Polish architecture. The War will never be forgotten in Warsaw with many monuments as signs of remembrance. One in particular shows the people of Warsaw trying to keep the Nazis out of their city. Many monuments were also showing the courage of the Jews and their determination to die with dignity.

Day 3 Saturday 26th March

At 11:00 the Polish fire brigade arrived onsite to put on an Assault course involving rope climbing, tightrope walking and crate climbing, whilst being timed. The winner of the Assault course was Oliver Jones from Great Britain. Following the assault course both Volleyball and Football took place at the local school adjacent to the campsite. The winners of the volleyball were the Polish team followed in 2nd place by the British team. The winners of the football were the British team followed in 2nd place by the Italians and in 3rd place the 2nd British team. After a very sporting day the evening was left to be enjoyed with friends at the disco and Karaoke

Day 4 Sunday 27th March

Following the final of the football it was time for the closing ceremony. The sports trophies were presented followed by a presentation to the Polish organising team by the Dutch participants, for their hard work throughout the rally taking into consideration their very small working party of only 33 members. The rally was then officially closed by Lars Dahlberg, president of the FICC. In true FICC youth style the meet was closed but the celebrations then continued into the early hours of our final day!

For more information on the International Youth Rally please visit the FICC Youth website on www.ficcyouth.com

National Youth Rally 2005, Plymouth

PLYMOUTH, well known for its beautiful coast lines and Naval base and, to 257 youth from across the country, Plymouth is known for the National Youth Rally 2005. On 24th - 26th June this year South West Region hosted the meet as youth from across the country made their way, via cars, coaches and air, to the foot of the country to meet up with new and old friends.

On Friday 24th June Youth, Youth Leaders and R.Y.L.O.'s (Regional Youth Liaison Officers) travelled through the stormy weather in the hope that things would look brighter on the other side. On arrival at Plymouth our prayers had been answered as the sun broke through the clouds drying out the 'soon to be filled' field, from then on there was not a dull moment in sight.

At 9am on Saturday morning the sports took place with ten regions competing in the Football, Volleyball and Netball as the RYLO's, Youth Leaders and cheerleaders screamed and shouted words of support for their teams and the atmosphere reached an all time high.

This was followed by the opening ceremony. Mr David Cobbard the Landowner officially opened the meet and kindly informed us that 400 years ago this field was underwater! Luckily we were not camping at Glastonbury! This was followed by a few words of encouragement from The Camping and Caravanning Club Chairman, Mr David Batty.

At 1pm four double-decker busses arrived on site to take all the youth on a day trip to see the beautiful sites of Plymouth's new and old towns. On arrival back to the site it was time to get ourselves ready for the youth disco. Many of the youth continued the National youth Rally's latest tradition of fancy dress for the evening, the theme being 'Cops and Robbers'.

After yet another late night it was time for the early morning Austin Sports where there is a race to suit all the youth whether it is running forward or backwards, piggy back racing, three legged race or even a horse? Unfortunately not the four legged kind. (Now you want to know what a horse is you'll have to come and find out next year).

Sadly the time had arrived for the Closing ceremony where all the winners received their trophies and medals from the Club Chairman. One or two regions seemed to take them all!

Finally the meet was closed by South West Region's Chairman, Bob Talbot who commented that the staff from C J's snack bar (caterers for the venue) had informed him how polite the youth had all been and that it had been a pleasure to have been involved in the rally.

Before leaving the meet I wanted to find out what some of the youth and the Youth Leaders thought of the Rally. First I met up with Terry and Sue Hyslop, Leicestershire D. A Youth Leaders. This was their first National Youth Rally. Even though Terry had recently undergone two knee operations he said he 'would not have missed it for the world'. He commented " I can't get over how well everyone seems to have gelled together... the groups are of all ages, its like the older ones are looking out for the younger ones". Sue stated " We had been members of the Club for over a year before we even realised that there was a youth section. My daughter then got in touch with David Wilkes (their RYLO) who informed us of our nearest youth section and how to join up, we haven't looked back since".

Katie Webster, 13, from East Sussex D.A had also enjoyed her first National Youth Rally. "I loved the day trip and watching people enjoying themselves... I've made a lot of new friends but we do need a lot more people coming to the Rally next year, I'll be bringing my two friends".

Next year the National Youth Rally will be hosted by Eastern Region at St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

If you are, or know someone who is, interested in joining the Youth or the Junior Youth Section or are wanting more information on what is involved and how you can take part in next years National Youth Rally contact your RYLO.