CANOEING, airsoft, games, challenges and Hallowe’en volunteering all featured in four packed days of activities for young people at the Route 81 youth project.

The Garelochhead-based scheme, which is open to all young people aged 11-17 in the Hermitage Academy catchment area, welcomed 20 participants to the busy programme in the second week of the October school holiday.

All the activities were decided, planned and run by a group of senior volunteers from the project, all aged 16 and 17, supported by Route 81’s Youth Team, volunteering their time and energy to the community effort.

Day one saw the senior volunteers take part in some hard work and true grit, with five hours of youth training, including final arrangements for the rest of the week’s activities, as part of their Youth Achievement Awards.

The second day had a Hallowe’en theme as the youngsters, in partnership with Helensburgh and Lomond Young Carers, painted no fewer than 222 stones for the Hallowe’en Rocks event held in Garelochhead on Sunday, October 21.

A doughnut challenge added to the fun – never have so many doughnuts been eaten so fast!

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On day three, 10 young people and three youth workers set off for the Shandon hills for an adrenaline-packed game of Airsoft at The Worx, featuring plenty of teamwork and strategy planning as the group defended ‘castles’ – with one young participant admitting that “crawling and digging through thorns and having to make cover was the best bit”, and all those who took part deciding unanimously that they want to return for more in future.

The final day of the programme was taken at a slightly slower pace as 11 young people and three adult youth workers took part in a day of canoeing with Loch Lomond Paddle Power and Adventure.

Eight members of the group gained a Paddle Start award from the British Canoeing Association while six achieved a Paddle Discover award.

When asked what the best bit of the day was, the young people mentioned “the challenge of controlling the canoe whilst it was spinning due to the wind”, “learning new canoe strokes”, “seeing the views from being in the water” and even “the risk of falling in whilst playing the ball games in the canoe!”.

The activities were all free thanks to funding from Young Start - The National Lottery Community Fund, The Gannochy Trust, Co-op Community Fund, The Art Society Lomond and Argyll and Supporting Communities, while transport was provided during the week by Garelochhead Coaches.

Trainee youth worker and community centre assistant Jamie, who recently started work with Route 81 with funding from Community Jobs Scotland, had his first experience working at an activity week through the programme.

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He said: “The October week has let me have the opportunity to work with local young people over four days within a variety of activities.

“I have really enjoyed the outdoor activities the most as they have provided more opportunity to better engage with the young people and take on more responsibility.

“I have loved seeing the way the young people grow and develop confidence in all of the activities but for me especially it was seeing this in the canoeing, which was an excellent day on Loch Lomond.”

For more information on Route 81 activities follow Route 81 Youth Project on Facebook.

Membership is free – email michelle@route81.org.uk for a membership form.