An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 By Sgt WAynE FItzgERALD PhotoS By ARMn JAMIE BARREtt E ach year over 25,000 young Irish people between the ages of 15 and 25 take part in a range of activities as part of the self-de- velopment programme gaisce: the President's Award. The core values of Gaisce (Irish for 'achievement'), which began in 1985 under the patronage of then President Patrick J Hillary, are empowerment, in- clusion and equality, respect, and ex- cellence, and there are three awards: bronze, silver and gold. The Defence Forces have been assisting Gaisce for the last 25 years by running an annual adventure challenge. DF Press Officer, Comdt Pat O'Connor, told us: "The Defence Forces are delighted to be involved with Gaisce and have a proud history of helping to develop the character of the young students who partake in the Defence Forces Adventure Challenge. The military challenges they undertake test the physical and mental abilities of the group and they learn to work as a team in order to succeed." Gaisce participant under the age of 18 were invited to nominate them- selves for this year's DF Adventure Challenge and 30 lucky volunteers were selected from a large number of applicants to participate in the event, which was held from 4-8 June in Cus- tume Bks, Athlone. Every year soldiers from 2 Bde Arty Regt run the challenge with assistance from the Defence Forces Physical Education School (DFPES), putting these young people through their paces. This year they took part in military assault course and dive pool challenges, a timed 10km speed march across the Curragh, a 15km hike over the Slieve Bloom Mountains, rock climbing, and kayaking, before being presented with their awards at the end of the week. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partake in the DF Adventure Chal- lenge aims to encourage young people to start a journey of self-discovery. Prior to the start of this year's chal- lenge Gaisce CEO, Yvonne McKenna, said: "Gaisce is delighted that, due to the generosity of the Defence Forces, 30 Gaisce participants are being given a unique opportunity to experience mili- tary life first hand. Over the course of the next few days, these wonderful young men and women will push themselves to their limits. In the process, they'll develop skills, build confidence, learn as much about themselves as they will about mili- tary life, and create lifelong friendships and memories to cherish. It is a great achievement for them all." Lt Sarah Donnelly (2 Bde Arty Regt) said: "The DF Adventure Challenge teaches these young people a lot of skills like setting up a campsite, brewing up, using pack rations, and teamwork." Lt Donnelly thanked members of 2 Bde Arty, Sgt Massimo Caschera, Cpls Barnicle, Curtain and Watts, Gnrs Mc- Gee, Harte, Moran, Nelson, Horgan, Phelan and Marky-Fox, and the logs staff, headed up by Sgt Fogarty and Cpl Tormey, for their assistance in run- ning another successful challenge. DFPES instructors Sgt Tommy Deveraux and Sgt Jim Maguire with group. Adam Keogh (Ballymun) and Chenice Dolan (Santry) get to grips with the rope Gaisce participants in the Slieve Blooms.

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