Well, really -


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Previous # Next ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Joe Windsor on July 04, 2006 at 17:04:15 from 84.12.79.150 user Joe.

I have no knowledge of the arcane rules about discussion groups such as this - but I imagined that respect for others was at the top of the list somewhere. So 'Peter' needs facts and acuses me of self-pity. As it happens, friend, self-pity plays no part in my profile. But I am a dedicated egaltarian and have a life-long dislike of cliques. I spoke on behalf of myself and others who might shrink from asking for courtesy.

Year in Industry is a long-established charity placing Gap Year students in employment. The students are pretty brilliant and are heading for degrees in Engineering, Maths and the Sciences. They mostly go up to the top ten Universities. We have just had a semi-final for student-of-the-year in the South West (I live in Poole - you want to sail - come here!!) Six brilliant students explaining the projects on which they have been working. Stunning!! Apart from work they gain so much in self-reliance and social / communication skills. AR would have loved it! As a Mentor I care for both the students and the employers and oversee the placement. I consider myself fortunate.

As for myself, although an only child my parents encouraged an AR youth. I learned to camp in our meadow aged 8. I spent a teenage summer with working fishermen learning real boat handling off Devon. Serious stuff! I spent a month in Brittany in 1946 hiking, learning -and wearing my kilt! I became a Troop Leader in the Scouts passing on what my father taught me about ropes, knives, axes and all the outdoor skills. Yada, yada.

My three kids (all over 40 now) hiked, camped, sailed. Yes, I taught them on the Broads. Now one has a lovely narrow-boat based on a Surrey canal and is a skilled bargee. He flies the Amazon's Skull & Crossbones. As a teenager he hiked from Lands End to John-o-Groats. Another has camped in Wales since his teenage making do as the S & A's did. My lovely daughter cut her teeth in one of my boats and honed her life-skills in France.

As Jock said - preparation and training is essential. But followed by the chance for our young people to spread their wings and learn self-suffiency.

Enough?

No I don't want money. I want a small movement of people urging our young to go for it. You don't understand that, Peter? Sorry. I used to live one mile from Hampton Court and had a boat on the Thames. (Now boats down here. Poole is the largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney, Aus) Watching my son take a narrow-boat single handed through a lock is a huge treat. I taught him how to do that - and working a lock is not a simple thing to do. Single-handed is a real trick!

So, Peter my friend, who and what are you to question me?

Sorry this is so long, but he asked several questions.

BUT - please join me, as I suggested!!

With my affection for you all - Joe



Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

or is it time to start a New Thread?

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first

Before posting it is necessary to be a registered user.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]

Courtesy of Environmental Science, Lancaster

space