July 22, 201016 yr Your country needs you: Cameron launches national service summer camp for teens By Rachel Quigley Last updated at 1:38 PM on 22nd July 2010 Comments (132) Add to My Stories David Cameron will today launch a national citizen service that will see hundreds of thousands of 16-year-olds sent on summer camps at a cost of up to £1,400 each. The £50million scheme aims to get a disaffected generation of teenagers from different racial and social backgrounds to join in local community activities. The Prime Minister will announce that 10,000 school leavers will be able to take part in a summer volunteering programme from next year. Community spirit: The Conservatives are set offer every school leaver at 16 that chance to attend a seven-eight week summer camp at a total cost of £50m ENTREPRENEURIAL HONOUR FOR SCOUTS It used to be as easy as tying a knot or always being prepared. But now you may have to set up your own business to be a successful scout. The Scout Association will today launch an entrepreneur badge, to be added to a list of approved activities which include camping, sing-alongs and knot-tying. The new badge, pictured, is said to reflect the trend in schools to promote entrepreneurship as something that encourages selfreliance and discipline. But it may cause a backlash among traditionalists who would argue that spawning Sir Alan Sugar types is against the traditional values of being a scout. The badge, which shows a rising sales chart, is the brainchild of millionaire Richard Harpin, the founder of the Homeserve domestic insurance business. He has put up £50,000 to fund the badge. Mr Harpin, a former member of the First Stocksfield Cubs and Scouts, Northumberland, said: 'I felt there was a group of young people who would like to hear about entrepreneurship in an exciting environment outside the classroom.' Placements, mainly with charities and social enterprises, will last about seven or eight weeks and are targeted at those just completing their GCSE exams. A two-month pilot involving 500 teenagers is already under way. It includes a three-week course which is made up of seven days on outdoor challenges, seven days study at a university campus and the final week at home, culminating in a graduation ceremony and a 'milk round' attended by voluntary groups. Craig Morley, chief executive of the Challenge Network, which is running the programme in London and Birmingham, said that the aim was to foster understanding across social and racial divides to 'mark a rite of passage' into adulthood by engaging people with their own communities. But others are furious they were not consulted. Stephen Bubb, head of Acevo, said he was not aware of today's launch and thinks the money could be put to better use. He told the Times: 'I think there is a risk that the project will be filled by middle-class or upper-class kids who would have volunteered anyway. 'I'm not sure this is the right approach and is a good use of resources when voluntary grants are already being cut back.' But Mr Morley stressed that the young people on Challenge Network's scheme were picked from both state and private schools, from mixed races and different social backgrounds to reflect their communities. The idea was endorsed during the general election campaign by veteran actor Sir Michael Caine. Initially Mr Cameron had wanted to set up a compulsory scheme for all school leavers to emulate a 21st century military service. But he was persuaded to stick to a voluntary scheme after advice from youth organisations. TODAY'S POLL Will Cameron's summer camps encourage children from different backgrounds to mix? Yes No VOTE POLL RESULTS Close All polls Click to view yesterday's poll results At a Downing Street reception today he will invite a number of organisations to get involved in the scheme and will announce a first phase of up to 10,000 youngsters next year followed by 30,000 the year after. A document on the national citizen service published during the election campaign suggested a start-up cost of £13million in their first year from April 2011, followed by £37million in the second year for 30,000 to 40,000 young people. It made clear that the aim was for all 16-year-olds to participate in the long term. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1296739/Your-country-needs-Cameron-launches-summer-camp-citizenship-service-teenagers.html#ixzz0uRpejGaq
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