Almost 250 teenagers came to the Youth Outdoor Challenge Event last weekend at the Badaguish Outdoor Centre near Aviemore, which provides respite care, and activity holidays for children and adults with special needs.

As well as raising funds for the Centre to buy special equipment the event now in its 7th year introduces teenagers to learn and practice outdoor skills such as navigation whilst enjoying the superb local environment of the Cairngorm National Park.

The challenge is a 2-day orienteering event for teams of 14-18year olds. The Event took place in glorious weather conditions, around the tracks in the Glenmore and Rothiemurchus forest and around Loch Morlich located in the Cairngorm National Park, encourages outdoor skills and teamwork and helps to foster an ‘all abilities’ participation culture.

All the participants camped out on site at Badaguish over Friday and Saturday night and cooked for themselves. A variety of activities including the High ropes course, abseiling and archery were available for use on the Saturday evening.

The wining team “Your Mum” came from Millburn Academy and improved on their final position of third last year and were presented with the winners shield from David Green the National Park Convenor. Second place went to “Amazin’” from Lossiemouth High School and third place to the “Banana Squad” from Milnes High School. 66 teams in total came from Elgin HS, Farr HS, Keith Grammar, Lossiemouth HS, Millburn Academy, Milnes HS and Nairn Academy. Inverness High School attended the event for the first time

Everyone taking part received a commemorative T-Shirt and gifts donated by Outdoor Retailer Graham Tiso Ltd.

The teams were raising sponsorship for the Centre which in previous years has allowed them to purchase specially adapted bikes, an adaptable shower chair and an all-abilities climbing frame. This year the money raised will be used towards a new Zipwire, which will be of particular benefit to the people with Special Needs and disabilities who come to the Centre for Activity Holidays.

Event Organiser Tracey Pullen said -

“ I am very grateful for the support and help given by teachers, leaders and parents who also come along and help us to make this event a huge success and the children who took part. I would also like to thank the Rothiemurchus Estate, Forestry Commission Scotland, Cairngorm Mountain, Cairngorm National Park Authority, and Graham Tiso Ltd for their help and support without which the event would be impossible.”