Once again the team arrive from their bases all over the UK to their home for the next twenty four days- Venture Trust in Applecross.As I look around the staff team, I see the usual signs of excitement and anticipation that accompany this coming- together of committed, dedicated trainers. Today there is a little bit more of a reason to feel excited- we have all decided to come in a day early to do some training in the sea kayaks in preparation for a new aspect to the course; a sea kayak expedition in the middle phase of the programme. After a very productive day on the water we went back to the centre a little later than expected for a review of the days work.

The following day the preparations for our anticipated guests started in earnest. We had to take the centre over from the outgoing team who were showing the signs of tiredness one would expect of a group of people who had been working flat out for three weeks. We took the centre over and stepped up the preparation. The programme had to be staffed and structured, sessions needed preparing, staff training was to take place and supplies ordered for expedition. The mood was of eager anticipation, nervous expectancy and excitement. We were as prepared as we could be and ready for the challenge- it was “game on”.The following day myself and John Huxtable the 20 day Programme Manager, left forInverness to pick up nine Young People. The team was a little disappointed that there were only nine participants but the feeling was still positive. At Inverness we went through the process of meeting the Young People and eventually brought back seven (two didn’t show).

We started the course with seven participants. We had begun. We all knew that opportunities to work with the group would be reduced due to the numbers, this was disappointing, but as skilled and experienced development tutors we were all aware of the impact that being too heavily staffed during sessions can have, so we just made sure that communications within the staff team were as effective as possible so we could all be kept completely up to speed.

The group embarked on their first expedition and performed well. The expedition started with a challenging 10km walk across the Applecross peninsula, which sadly resulted in one of the course members needing to go home because of a long standing foot problem. Unfortunately a further two of the group left the course on day 4, which left us with four. It was really difficult to work through problem solving tasks with such a small group and the normal exchange of ideas that is so important to the success of group work was suffering in terms of “less heads- less ideas”, and both the staff and group worked hard to maintain focus.

So, the group had finished Phase 1, and were ready for their next expedition when further misfortune struck. The group lost another member due to another foot injury. We were down to three.

The second phase of the course was eventful but with only three participants left, it threw into sharp relief the resources that were being left unused. We had a highly trained, highly qualified, highly motivated staff team. We had a centre and a perfect environment. We also had a programme that is well thought out, tried and tested, and we had equipment that would be the envy of any operation in the Outdoor Sector- all that we needed to make the perfect picture was a good number of Young People committed to making change in their lives.

As the second and third phases were completed, the main expedition grew closer and it was obvious to the expedition team that this would be no ordinary undertaking. With such low numbers and a really wide ability range, it was apparent that we would need to be creative if our outcomes were to be achieved.

A modest expedition on the Isle of Skye was arranged to take into account the capabilities of the group, and the participants, although a little apprehensive, seemed focused and ready. After being dropped off at Kilmarie, the group walked over rough ground to a beach overlooking Rum and Eigg, where they enjoyed a pleasant evening around a pretty impressive fire. The following day the party moved around the coast to Camasunary which was to be the base of operations for the next three days. Unfortunately the frustrations of being part of a group with such a wide ability range and having such low numbers proved to be too difficult for one of the young people and he was sent home as a result of his behaviour on day three of the trip. We were now down to two.

The remaining participants enjoyed a mountain day climbing Sgurr na Stri, and set off for the journey down Glen Sligachan. Regrettably one of the Young People chose to act in a way that made it impossible for him to continue and so the expedition was over a day early.

The following morning, the remaining participant expressed his wish to go home and return on a future course. Despite being a superb course member he felt that it was time to call it a day and so we did.

After a good nights sleep, the staff team reviewed the recent events and were asked how they felt. The reply was unanimous. We had done the best job we could for the young people we were given to work with. We had been flexible enough to tailor the course to meet young peoples’ needs. Everyone had performed to a consistently high standard, and had raised their game to meet the considerable challenges that were faced.

Andy Ashworth, 20 day team