July is a bit of a quieter month for the Green Team as our work with schools has ended for the holidays and we get to enjoy a little bit of a break before the new term starts. There is still lots going on though and a couple of highlights of the month were running a holiday activity week and a group of young people from our Green Volunteers programme enjoying a week on the Isle of Eigg.
The holiday programme was for young people aged 8-12 to get out and about, exploring some lovely outdoor spots, deepening their nature connection and having lots of holiday fun. Over the course of 5 days they visited Wells O’Weary, Yellowcraig Beach, Newbattle Abbey, the Water of Leith and Cramond Beach, with activities including map making, river dipping, whittling, a litter pick, and making sand castles as well as lots of games and opportunities to practice firelighting skills.
Our Green Volunteers programme runs for those aged 12 to 18 and a group of 12 of them, with the support of staff and volunteers took the trip to the Isle of Eigg for a residential week. They spent lots of time on environmental conservation tasks – bracken beating, path maintenance, beach cleaning and activities with the local ranger. There was also lots of time to explore the island with a hike up An Sgurr (a gigantic block of volcanic rock that is the highest peak on the island), sunset cycles, cave exploring and some otter spotting.
We were really pleased with how both weeks went and can’t wait to do them again!
