12 students from Beech Hill College spent 3 days in Gartan Outdoor Education Centre, Co. Donegal on the first of four intensive residential camps as part of the Knowledge through Enterprise for Youth (KEY) Programme.

Some of the participants
with tie-dyed T-Shirt

The KEY Programme develops enterprise skills as the vehicle for personal development and the focus is on motivation and confidence building, career planning and entrepreneurship. KEY participants take part in a series of intensive residential programmes, which give them a focused opportunity to learn about enterprise outside the classroom and to take part in outdoor activities. These activities included night-line, orienteering, hill walking, canoeing, kayaking, absailing, wind surfing, rock climbing, gorge walking and sea cliff traversing - all of which help build confidence and stamina. The students were also introduced to tie dying and each came home with a tastefully decorated T-shirt. Another activity undertaken by these students was participation in the Young Enterprise Christmas Card Competition and they are eagerly awaiting the results.

The overall aim of the KEY Programme is to assist students from areas in Northern Ireland and border counties of the Republic move from education to employment, to equip them for a work environment and to assist them to recognise and create new opportunities for themselves. The programme also promotes community relations between both traditions.
All involved thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are already looking forward to the next residential camp in the programme.