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Residentials
Corralea Training Residential
The 2004-2006 Shadow Councillors and Delegates had their first opportunity to really get to know each other at their team building residential in Corralea Activity Centre at the start of December.
Twenty five young people attended the weekend and some fast friendships had been made by the time they were all going home.
The first event of the weekend was a Nightline on Friday night. As if it wasn’t dark enough already, the participants were blindfolded and had to follow each other around a forest using a rope and the instructions of the person in front. This taught the group the importance of working together and communicating with each other. It wasn’t a pleasant journey however with the trail leading them through trees, swamps and other nasty things!
There was no lying in on Saturday with the group rising bright and early to begin the day’s activities. The group split into teams and took part in team building games including sheep dog trials, a crocodile infested swamp and tying knots in a rope. The groups all came together for one last activity which involved working together to transport Santa’s sack across a lake.
After lunch it was time to get even more active. Some of the group chose to go on a very energetic bike ride while the rest donned wetsuits, grabbed a canoe and got on the lake to paddle about and play a few games.
Once everyone was showered and changed the group were taken out for a meal in a neighbouring village.
The work was not over however when we got back to camp. The group had to decide on the content for the comment cards being distributed in January to help them decide on their Shadow Council work over the next two years. There was also a quick overhaul from Project Worker, Diane Noble on the workings of the Shadow Youth Council.
After an evening socialising with each other it was off to bed to recover from the day’s activities. Then it was up early on Sunday morning to clean and tidy the cottages before travelling home—to go back to bed!
This residential was funded by Fermanagh LSP through Measure 3.2 of the Programme for Peace and Reconcilliation(Peace II).
Gortatole Strategic Planning Residential
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council issued comment cards to the post primary student body at the start of the year asking what the top priority issues are for young people in Co Fermanagh. FSYC used the results from these comment cards to plan their projects for their remaining term of office.
This strategic planning took place in a residential setting in Gortatole. The members looked at which issues received the most votes and planned their work around them. Plans include a charity interschool concert and a bullying campaign including a peer education ’buddy buddy’ system.
In addition to planning their projects FSYC members attended a workshop on FSYC policies looking at the policies including the Constitution, young people’s protection policy and dealing with the media.
It wasn’t all hard work however with group members having the choice of going hill walking or caving. This exercise revived the brain power for continuing work on their plan but also left group members weary from all the physical exercise! The most exercise of all was spent using the centre’s hula hoops! Two group members also underwent extreme makeovers!
The results of the comment card survey will be distributed in a newsletter amongst schools and public buildings shortly.
This residential was funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
Lakeland Canoe Centre Youth E Forum Team Building Residential
The Donegal Fermanagh Youth E Forum’s first residential took place on Thursday 31st March—Friday 1st April at the Lakeland Canoe Centre. This was the first time that FSYC and DYC members had actually met.
The day kicked off with a short boat ride over to the island. This came as a surprise to some of the Donegal Youth Councillors who had never been to Enniskillen before.
Once everyone had made it onto the island we had a short meeting with our instructor, Lorna, who gave us a quick run through the do’s and don’ts of the island. Then Andrew, DYC project officer set about drawing up the contract for the residential. The only request was that the leaders took part in all activities. You could almost see them turn green at the thought of having to get into the Baltic waters of Lough Erne.
The first activity was to build a raft, the group were split up into three smaller teams and were supplied with various materials which would enable them to construct a raft.
This activity allowed the two Youth Councils to work together as a team. Once the three rafts were constructed it was hard to see which one would sink first. Anyhow none of the rafts lasted very long and by all accounts there was a lot of cheating going on and there was a certain project officer who didn’t make it into the water!!!
After dinner the group visited Teen Zone which they found most enjoyable. Then everybody made there way over to Erneside for a look around.
The next day the group went to the Agricultural College to avail of their computer facilities. John Curran, IT manager with Donegal County Council, had a short quiz using the internet, which provided some interesting answers. Everyone also went through a list of Web sites, checking them out for ideas which could be used for the E Forum. Anyone who had not got an E mail address was given the opportunity to set up an account.
Once back at the Canoe Centre ideas on what the E Forum should contain and look like were put down on paper and each group gave a presentation. This information will provide the project workers with a basis for the E Forum.
This residential was funded by SEUPB through measure 5.2 of the EU \programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II).
Donegal Fermanagh Youth E Forum Residential
The Donegal Fermanagh Youth E Forum had a residential on the 4th – 5th July at Gartan Outdoor Education Centre. This time it was Donegal’s turn to host the residential and they chose an excellent location just outside Letterkenny.
Once we had arrived and got settled in it was straight into activities, some people chose to go canoeing while others tried their hand at rock climbing. Even Andrew and Janice got stuck into the activities. Those who canoed got the chance to paddle out to a small island, some of the youth councillor’s thought that they could walk on water, buoy were they wrong! The rock climbing was a real battle of nerves for some. A selection of the youth councillors could go up and down the faces with the speed and agility of mountain goats. As well as rock climbing they also got the chance to do some orienteering, let’s just say thankfully the youth councillors were not reading the map to get us home or we would still be in Donegal!!
After dinner there were a number of teambuilding activities and some brainteasers to get everyone thinking however I think it was a bit late in the day for trying that. We then went on a walk to the local shop where we got to sample some of the local delicacies, ‘Football Special’. Once back at the centre everyone was given time to mingle and get better acquainted.
The next morning was an early start, and a rude awakening for those who had been rock climbing the day before, as it was their turn to go canoeing and the weather had taken a turn for the worst.
Once everyone got packed up it was onto the bus and on to Letterkenny Institute of Technology where the computer company was waiting. Internetalia gave an excellent presentation of what the e Forum will look like. There was a working model to show everyone the endless possibilities that the forum has. There was a chance to vote on the colour, design and look of the site and everyone got the chance to have their say. Everyone had a great time at the residential and it proved to be most informative.
This residential was funded by SEUPB through measure 5.2 of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II).
Media Trainig Residential
Seventeen members of Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council attended the media training residential at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 November.
After getting settled into rooms and drawing up contracts for the weekend, the group were off to the cinema. Despite most if the group opting for ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’, some chose the less scary options of Harry Potter or ‘In her Shoes’. The group also commented that they would not be complaining about the cinema in Enniskillen again, comparing it to the smaller screens in Omagh!
Despite the late night it was up and about early on Saturday morning to fit in a packed day’s training with Channel 56. Reporter Alan Morton and cameraman, Irwin Armstrong delivered the training to the group. Both men gave some background to themselves and the work they do. They gave members tips for being interviewed including preparing for the interview, what to wear and how to answer questions. The group then split into groups and prepared for an interview on some of the projects FSYC are working on. Members were in the hot seat with Alan as interviewer and he didn’t hold back in answering some awkward questions!
The members who were interviewed did brilliantly and provided many laughs when the tape was played back.
After tea on Saturday the group wrapped up warm and headed to Ballynahatty Go-Karting track. The competition was fierce as everyone battled it out to be first over the finish line. Unfortunately this meant that a few collisions occurred and poor Aisling managed to land herself in casualty following driving herself into the barrier! Thankfully she was OK and managed to escape with bruises! In the final of the Grand Prix the finalists were all desperate to win and Clarissa was the only female representative. None of the boys could catch this speed demon and she was first over the line, winning the race!
Weary heads hit the pillows on Saturday night only to be woken early on Sunday to pack up, fill in the evaluation and head home.
This residential and training was funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
Peace and Reconciliation Residential
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council members attended a residential at the Derrygonnelly Field Studies Centre last weekend. The theme for the weekend was Peace and Reconciliation and began with a drama workshop on Friday evening. The group looked at Section 75 groupings and discrimination of these groups and developed role plays on the subject. This provided much learning within the group but also much humour with Sh Cllr John Conlon taking on the role of a vet and delivering his first baby calf!
Despite the bad weather on Saturday the group wrapped up warm and braved the outside to participate in some group activities. Through these activities the group learnt the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. There ware many peace and reconciliation themed activities including building bridges, tying knots, sharing space and working together.
It was time to get creative on Saturday afternoon when members participated in an art workshop. Participants considered what Peace and Reconciliation means to them and developed a number of pieces of artwork to reflect this. Each person presented their peace at the end and these included friendship bracelets, a song, collages of flags and emblems and even a design for a new flag for Northern Ireland.
It was back outside in the evening to learn about trusting each other and working in partnerships. This involved donning blindfolds and being led firstly by a partner and then joining as a group for a nightline through the trees and woodland of Derrygonnelly! Thankfully all members managed to make it to the end by working together as a group and looking after each other.
There was just enough time on Sunday to gather up belongings, carry out an evaluation and head back to Enniskillen. It was weary heads that climbed aboard the bus reflecting on their weekend and all the learning that had taken place. This residential was funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
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