‘Young Champions’ take the plunge: gorge scrambling on Dartmoor. Photo: David Rolls

A group of urban youngsters took the plunge to discover a national park’s attractions during three days of challenge and discovery.

The team of 30 young people braved the elements on the open spaces of Dartmoor – for many the first time they had stepped foot in a national park – as part of the Mosaic Programme, which aims to encourage leadership skills and personal development in the national parks.

The group, aged between 16 and 25, was based at the YHA’s Bracken Tor hostel near Okehampton and spent last weekend exploring Dartmoor on foot, pony trekking and learning new skills such as archery and gorge scrambling.

All the youngsters come from the Plymouth and Exeter area and they also spent time on an environmental project with Dartmoor national park ranger Ian Brooker.

Aimee Pearce, 17, of Devonport, Plymouth, said: “I enjoyed the opportunity to ride a horse, as I’ve never done it before. Ellen Smith, 19, also from Plymouth added: “It was great to interact with young people I wouldn’t usually meet and to be out of my normal environment.”

The group had to contend with heavy rain and high winds during the event, which was organised by the Campaign for National Parks.

Naomi Copestake, a youth worker with Mount Wise Youth and Community Project in Plymouth, said: “Clearing away gorse that was growing on important archeologically sites has given the young people a great experience and has taught them a lot about Dartmoor, as well as contributing to the conservation of the Park.”

The Mount Wise members were joined by representatives from Open Space International Club, the Ivy Project, Plymouth V Team, Switch and New Frontiers 3.

Maurice Retallick, of the Dartmoor National Park Authority added: “The authority is fully behind the work of the Mosaic Young Champions. We are so proud of their efforts in promoting Dartmoor.

“It is great to see the young people exploring this special landscape and learning about the farming and animals on the moors. We would like to expand this work because Dartmoor is for everyone and it is vital that we work together to protect the special place that it is.”

Mosaic is led by the Campaign for National Parks working with the Youth Hostels Association and nine national park authorities in England.