SUMMER sun may have been somewhat limited in Helensburgh and Lomond this year - but there’s been no shortage of summer fun at the Route 81 youth project in Garelochhead.
Thanks to funding from ACHA Community Action Fund, Argyll & Bute Summer Holiday Food and Childcare Programme 2023 and the National Lottery Community Fund, Route 81 has offered 28 varied sessions of outings, volunteering, drop-ins, and gym sessions over a five-week period – all with snacks and lunches provided throughout.
Target practice at The Worx Airsoft in Shandon
Bubble football action at Bendarroch Park
Game on for the bubble footballers
The programme began with a massive splash at the Foxlake Adventures water park in Dunbar, before the introduction of a brand new sport to Garelochhead as Bendarroch Park hosted a day of ‘bubble football’, with both events held in partnership with Helensburgh and Lomond Young Carers.
Then it was off to The Worx Airsoft in the hills above Shandon, with three and a half hours of team play and target practice, with the help of transport from Garelochhead Coaches, a long-standing supporter of Route 81’s activities.
Canoeing on the Gareloch
A 'duck raft' built and ready to race
Getting in the Bubble Zone
The calming waters of the Gareloch slowed things down a bit for the final session, thanks to Keith from Paddle Power and Adventure with lots of water-based fun and games followed by a fun outdoor workshop which culminated in a ‘duck raft race’ down the burn in Garelochhead.
One of the participants said: “The Summer Programme made me get out the house more. I would normally have stayed up in my bed all day.
“My fave bit was the canoeing - it was so much fun! I also got to interact with lots of other people and it was good.”
Ready for a day's canoeing with Keith from Paddle Power and Adventure
Ready to ringo at Foxlake Adventures
Learning how to use the rifle at The Worx
The summer sessions also included weekly ‘Tasty Tuesday’ events at Route 81’s youth hub at Centre 81 in the village, as well as volunteering sessions and personal training at Centre 81’s community gym.
More on that in next week’s issue of the Advertiser.
The airsoft team at The Worx
Water adventurers at Foxlake in Dunbar
Water fun at Foxlake's water park in East Lothian
Route 81 is currently looking for adult volunteers to assist with Friday night drop-ins.
If you love working with young people, have lots of energy, and are able to cope with loud music, lots of chat, a bit of ‘organised’ chaos and some crazy fun programmes, email michelle@route81.org.uk or message the ‘Route 81 Youth Project’ page on Facebook.
Route 81 will be closed from Thursday, August 10, with the project’s youth programme restarting on Monday, September 4.
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