Youngsters from
Foleshill will get a taste of life in the Army during the school
summer holidays.
One element in a massive
programme of events organised for young people in north
Coventry, is a weekly trip to take part in assault training at
the army camp at Bramcote near Nuneaton.
Alethea Fuller of Area
Co-ordination North said:
"The Youth
Service, the Police and Area-Co-ordination have arranged to
take up to 50 children to the army camp on one day each week
throughout the school holiday.
"They will spend
the entire day at the camp mixing with the soldiers and
learning all about life in the army. They will also do some
assault training.
"We shall be
doing some follow up work with the youngsters afterwards and
who knows, maybe one or two will consider enlisting in the
armed services."
The trips are part of an
extensive summer programme of events arranged by the three
agencies as 'diversionary activities' during the five weeks
school holidays. In Foleshill these include bowling and laser
games at the Crystal Maze, cricket coaching, swimming, fishing,
football, basketball, tennis, golf, ice skating, weight training
and self-defence.
All activities are
provided free and transport to the venues is also supplied at no
cost by Centro and De Courcey Travel Ltd.
Linda Ash, Foleshill
Youth Worker, said:
"We are hoping to
attract around 300 youngsters this year and the idea is for
the whole thing to keep growing.
"It takes time
for youngsters from different groups to mix and the first few
weeks are not easy, but by the end of the scheme there are no
dividing lines - they are just young people enjoying
themselves.
"We hold an
awards ceremony at the end which underlines how these sort of
activities can bring people together."
Demetrious Panton, North
Area Co-ordinator, Foleshill said:
"We are delighted
with the success of the summer programmes and it is the
perfect example of the three bodies plus local companies
working together for the common good.
"Hopefully the
idea can be duplicated across the other five co-ordination
areas."
