When Schools out for Summer sign your teen up to the National Citizen Service (NCS).
Soon the long summer holidays will be upon us, and the sound of summer will be ringing out around the country………‘I’m bored’.
With the hope, the sun will be shining and the air warm, I will be encouraging my kids to take a rare ‘break’ from their devices and venture outside. Just so they can enjoy some simple pleasures in life, like walking or riding their bikes.
With my teens, it’s a tougher call. Generally, they prefer to do their own ‘thing’ with friends, no family included!
I often wish they’d do something more active and engaging. In the past, they’ve attended holiday clubs where they have done just this, but often they’re costly and as teens they quickly outgrow them.
Recently my teenage daughter came home from school with information on the National Citizen Service (NCS). Having never heard of them I had a read and found myself saying ‘wow this is different’!
National Citizen Service? What’s that? I hear you ask, well read on my lovely Buck readers, I will enlighten you all.
When Schools out for Summer sign your teen up to the National Citizen Service (NCS).
The National Citizen Service was established to help build a more cohesive, mobile and engaged society. It offers a series of fun and challenging experiences for young people from all walks of life.
I think it’s a great way for youngsters to share an unique experience designed to help them be better citizens.
It’s a great way to build confidence, handing them the tools to help them step outside their comfort zone while helping others to further build on theirs.
When I think of confidence building, the working life springs to mind. The tools gained at the National Citizen Service can only lend to help them later in life when they step out into the working world.
I feel it’s important, and voice this to my kids regularly, that any opportunity offered to them which may benefit them in any way, whilst being enjoyable, has to be worth the time.
After all, I believe having that ‘one’ thing on your CV that someone else does not could mean the difference between a job and no job.
Which one of your kids is it for?
It’s for all 16 and 17-year-olds across the whole of England and Northern Ireland.
How long can I get rid of them for is it for?
The programme lasts from 2-4 weeks. It offers a host of activities, such as team-building exercises outside, just think how much fresh air they will be breathing in….how novel!
It also aims to teach them all important ‘life skills’, the ones they think they already have but don’t.
Even better fellow parents, owners of empty purses, is the cost. You won’t have to dig too deep as this all comes in at an incredible cost of £50.00, and that includes food, accommodation and travel.
Is there a catch somewhere in the small print?
Nope, there isn’t. One of the key aims of the National Citizen Service is to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. They offer support to students with additional needs keeping costs low.
Its what’s known as ‘value for money’. A rarity these days.
Is it popular?
Almost 400,000 young people have taken part in the seven years it’s been running, and with an estimated 100,000 teenagers yet to take part, I would say it’s very popular!
*quickly calculates* that means one in six of the cohort of 16-year olds will live together, develop skills together and build community projects together.
And with Bear Grylls as one if its many Patrons you know it’s going to be challenging and fun.
Just pop your details in let the National Citizen Service do the rest.
So, if you have a year 11 teenager with time to spare then this purse saving programme is just what you need.
Not only will it keep them busy this summer, it will also do wonders for their confidence.
As parents, we all know just how long the Summer half term is. So, don’t worry if you’re away for some of it, there are still places available for Year 11s to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
To sign up now, go to the National Citizen Service website, use this link:
http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/?utm_source=blogger&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=summer18
This is a sponsored post but words are my own.
