EIGHTEEN young people from Plymouth enjoyed an action packed day of activities at Burrator Reservoir recently. 

For many of the young people the taster day at the reservoir was the first time they had visited a national park. The activities included cycling, bush craft, map reading, media skills and conservation tasks. 

The young people from Plymouth Environmental Action (PEA) were joined by young volunteers from the charity, Groundwork, in Plymouth.  Madeen Oriwhal and Bilal Khan, both from Groundwork, helped to ensure that 25 bat boxes were put up around the reservoir.

Ester Hughes, from PEA, said: 'I really enjoyed practicing map reading around Burrator and putting bat boxes up.'

The conservation officer for Burrator Reservoir, Neil Reeves, praised the young people for all their hard work: 'Many, many thanks to all the young people for coming out. They have really worked their socks off, and by the looks of it they've had a lot of fun too'

The Dartmoor taster day was organised by the Mosaic Project run by the Campaign for National Parks and was part of the recruitment and selection programme designed to sign up new young champions, who will go on actively to promote the benefits of the national parks to their peers. 

Helen Jenny, a Dartmoor National Park member, who led the navigation challenge, said: 'I am constantly amazed and impressed by the commitment demonstrated by the young people. Their enthusiasm is infectious and it has been a real privilege to share in their activities.'

The event was organised in conjunction with South West Lakes Trust, Dartmoor National Park Authority, BTCV, Plymouth Guild and Green V.