environments, many parents enrol their children in Bermuda's Outward Bound summer programme.

Whether away in Wales or locally on Paget Island, hundreds of Bermudian youths have benefited from time spent on Outward Bound.

The programme started in Bermuda in 1970 when two representatives from the Ministry of Youth Sports & Recreation, a local Police officer and a member of the UK Outward Bound Trust decided Bermuda's youth would benefit from the experience of an overseas course.

In its early stages, Outward Bound (Bermuda) was coordinated by Police constable Tony Diggins, who was assisted among others by the then-Minister of Youth, Sport & Recreation the Hon. Lancelot Swan.

Several police officers helped Swan and P.c. Diggins organise the first trip in October 1970, when a group of 12 boys successfully travelled to Devon, England.

It provides the local youth with an opportunity to live and work in close quarters with police officers, said Outward Bound coordinator P.c. Mark Norman.

"Students develop a new appreciation for law enforcement to see a different side of a policeman,'' he said.

Because the overseas course could not cater to enough students, a local programme was implemented in 1974.

A UK expert came to Bermuda to help set up and run the course along with local police officer, said P.c. Norman.

But approximately 30 student still travel to Wales each year with Outward Bound programme.

Applicants must be aged 16 to 24 for trips abroad and student are usually age 12 to 15.

"The programme is open to anyone who meets the age requirements,'' said P.c.

Norman, adding that interested parents should call the Outward Bound office for details.

The local programme, which take place on Paget Island in St. George's Harbour, runs all year round. But the weekly summer courses are the most popular, noted P.c. Norman.

The programme, which begins on July 3, 1995 and ends August 25th, 1995, is run on a first come, first-serve basis with 12 places per week.

Students take part in various activities, mostly water, based, like sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Other projects include orienteering, rock climbing, camping, basic first aid and life saving plus numerous problem solving, communication and team building tasks.

A recent addition to the programme is the high elements of rope course, which is one of the most challenging and exciting activities in Outward Bound (Bermuda).

DOWNWARD BOUND -- Heather Allwood abseils down the cliffs at Great Head Park in St. David's.