A CHALLENGING weekend, hosted by Okehampton YHA, and sponsored by Dartmoor National Park Authority, brought together a team of 30 youngsters for three days of challenge and personal discovery on the wild open spaces of moor.

Returning to their homes yesterday the group were full of enthusiasm, despite having had to contend with battering wind and rain. 

Most of the young people, all of whom came from urban backgrounds in Plymouth and Exeter, had never stepped foot in a National Park before – but all agreed they wanted to return to Dartmoor as soon as possible, and tell their friends all about it.

They explored Dartmoor on foot, through pony trekking and by trying out new activities such as archery and gorge scrambling.  For many of the young people this was the first time that they had tried their hand at these types of activities and for some it was a big challenge – out of their comfort zone. 

Organised by the Campaign for National Parks, as part of their Mosaic Programme the weekend aimed to bring young people, aged 16 to 25, together to demonstrate how National Parks can be used to help develop life skills and build leadership qualities in a unique outdoors environment.

Summarising the initiative, Maurice Retallick, spoke on behalf of the Dartmoor National Park Authority: 'The authority is fully behind the work of the Mosaic Young Champions. We are so proud of their efforts in promoting Dartmoor. 

'It is great to see the young people exploring this special landscape and learning about the farming and animals on the moors. 

'We would like to expand this work because Dartmoor is for everyone and it is vital that we work together to protect the special place that it is.'