Donegal girls complete Defence Forces Adventure Challenge for Gaisce Silver Award
The Defence Forces recently supported the Gaisce Silver Award by running an Adventure Challenge week
Two Donegal girls completed the Defence Forces Adventure Challenge for Gaisce Silver Award.
Ava Connolly from Milford and Chloe Shields from Rathmullan participated in the challenge as part of their Silver Awards.
The Defence Forces recently supported the Gaisce Silver Award by running an Adventure Challenge week. The challenge was hosted and coordinated by 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment (2 BAR) in Custume Barracks and the local training areas.
The girls were part of a group of 12 young people from all over Ireland who undertook the challenge. It included a lecture on camouflage and concealment; survival skills training involving teaching the students how to apply camouflage cream and teaching the students how to light a fire and other survival strategies using minimal equipment. The group also undertook a number of hikes during the challenge in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and surrounding areas.
The group was instructed by Lt Col Niall Verling, the Commanding Officer of 2 BAR, and other military instructors from Custume Barracks.
Lt Col Niall Verling OC 2BAR said: “2 Brigade Artillery Regiment (2 BAR) were delighted to represent the Defence Forces by coordinating the Adventure Week Challenge with Gaisce. The purpose was to provide a challenging interactive environment to assist the participants to achieve their Silver Award. The Defence Force’s aim was to provide participants with an insight into the professional, unique and disciplined skillsets of the Defence Forces. The participants had an opportunity to build confidence in their own ability and develop life skills through hiking, survival skill training, tactical movement and navigation lessons. Congratulations to all the successful participants.”
Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce: “Gaisce - The President’s Award is delighted to maintain our strong partnership with the Defence Forces, which is now in its 37th year. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Defence Forces, 12 Gaisce Silver Award participants have had the chance to experience this fantastic opportunity. Adventure in the outdoors is a cornerstone of the Gaisce experience, offering young people the chance to step beyond the familiar and discover both the natural world and their own inner resources. Through the adventure journey, participants gain a variety of practical skills - from preparing meals, to setting up a campsite, to choosing the right gear, to navigating tracks and trails. These are not just outdoor skills; they are life lessons in preparation, problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork.
“The annual Gaisce Defence Forces Adventure Journey Challenge truly epitomises this spirit of adventure and learning that we want every Awardee to carry forward in their Award journey.
“A massive congratulations to all the participants on taking part, and to the dedicated Defence Forces personnel from Custume Barracks who made it such a memorable and transformative experience for everyone involved.”