Young GAA members on top of the world

Forty-seven young GAA members from clubs across Ulster have recently completed Bronze expeditions as part of their awards for Duke of Edinburgh and Gaisce. 

This is the first year Ulster GAA has run the bronze hiking and camping expedition, delivered by Ulster GAA Leaders, and it has been a huge success.

In preparation for the expedition, the young people all completed expedition training which included route planning, navigation, health & safety and campcraft. They developed and navigated their two hiking routes, planned and cooked their hot meal and camped overnight at Meelmore Lodge in the heart of the Mournes, Co Down.

Working in small groups of six or seven, the aim was to improve their teamworking skills including communication, resilience and problem solving across the two-day, one-night expedition. The young people trekked for three hours each day and enjoyed setting up camp and cooking a hot meal on a Trangia cooking stove.

The young people are now working to achieve bronze awards in either Duke of Edinburgh Award or Gaisce – the President’s Award.  Other key elements of the programme they are completing are:

• 12 weeks volunteering in their GAA Club
• 24 weeks playing/training in Gaelic Games for their Club
• 12 weeks skills development within their GAA club or local community (skills development includes those in County Development Squads, those learning music or song through Scór, those learning Irish Language with their club/county, those learning Irish dancing)

This is part of Ulster GAA’s Youth Volunteering Programme, which encourages young GAA members to volunteer in their clubs and to receive official recognition for their efforts which will help with their own personal development for applying to University, College and jobs.

If anyone is interested in getting involved in this programme, contact sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie.