Advanced Young Rangers

On completion of the two year programme Young Rangers have the option to stay on as Advanced Young Rangers, with opportunities to develop their acquired first aid and navigation skills, participate in practical tasks, assist our Mendip Hills AONB Volunteer Rangers and attend the International Junior Ranger Camp.

Advanced Young Ranger Programme 2012-2013 (3) (PDF Download 40KB)

You will find updates in our Advanced Young Rangers section of news.

International Junior Ranger Camp

Group Photo Europarc 2012

In July two Advanced Young Rangers took part in the Europarc International Junior Ranger Camp which was hosted by Triglav National Park in Slovenia with one day spent visiting Prealpi Giulie Natural Park a few miles over the border in Italy. 

Freddie and Thor from the Mendip Hills enjoyed meeting Young Rangers from Slovenia, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and Scotland.

High in the Julian Alps

Both parks are in the mountainous terrain of the Julian Alps so hiking was a major part of the programme.  There was also fun to be had cycling and swimming and working with the National Park rangers to clear encroaching spruce trees from alpine meadows.  The theme of the camp was ‘Pathfinder – find your way through park information’ and the Young Rangers exchanged ideas on how information is shared in their own protected areas.

Visit to the Isles of Scilly AONB

In August a group of AONB Advanced Young Rangers visited the Isles of Scilly with Andy Mallender, AONB Project Development Officer, and Young Ranger Volunteer Diana.  The Advanced Young Rangers were invited to the Scillies for a return visit after hosting a visiting group of young people from the islands to the Mendip Hills AONB last summer.

The group explored the islands of St Mary’s, St Agnes and Tresco and took part in a beach litter pick with the Isles of Scilly AONBteam, helped the Wildlife Trust with a meadow

Raking Meadow Arisings

management task and learned about the work of the Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.  

 What the Advanced Young Rangers said about their trip:

• “We got see to lot of the islands and learn about their way of life.”
• “We learned a lot about the nature and wildlife of the islands.”
• “I was surprised that I enjoyed litter picking the beach and could look back and see how our efforts had made a positive change to the islands!”
• “We had a wonderful time on the boat back from Tresco as it was very choppy and the sea spray soaked us all completely which was very exciting!”