With summer 2020 in Ireland being a very different experience, a unique challenge has been put to the young people of Cork to encourage them to engage in focussed, positive and fun activities, which will reward them for achieving personal goals and developing new skills.
Cork Education and Training Board (CETB), in partnership with Cork City Council and Cork County Council, is piloting the We Are Cork Youth Challenge for Summer 2020 to give young people and teenagers an opportunity to jump into a fresh skill or develop existing talents.
Some 30 challenges across music, arts, society, environment, sport and technology have been set, with registered participants asked to complete 20 tasks over the summer months and record their experiences for others to see. A special commemorative County Mayor’s medal will be given to each successful participant, who reside in Cork County, with IT prizes also up for grabs for the most creative and exciting challenges.
We Are Cork Youth Challenge is timed to start from June 22nd, a day before St. John’s Eve (Bonfire Night) aiming to provide young participants with opportunities to focus their energies on positive activities through the summer.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Ian Doyle explained that the 30 challenges set for young people are inclusive and non-gender-specific and stressed that this is not a competition. “The overall aim is participation, engagement and fun, lots of fun,” he said. “The challenges should be kept simple and could be anything from completing a 3km run, compiling a music list, cooking a meal traditional to another country or composing a rap or song or writing a poem. Be sure and visit www.corkcoco.ie and get those entries in.” he explained.
CETB devised the We Are Cork Youth Challenge in partnership with Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Music Generation, Cork Sports Partnerships and others, in response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is hoped that thousands of Cork teenagers will get involved and focus their energies and have some fun in the process. CETB funds over 14 organisations to provide youth services throughout Cork city and county, as well as allocating grants to voluntary youth clubs and organisations, with the aim of achieving better outcomes and brighter futures for children.
CETB Chief Executive, Denis Leamy, pointed out that all who take part and complete the challenges will earn a special edition commemorative County Mayor’s Medal and be in with a chance to win one of six iPads. “Travel restrictions, the widespread cancellation of summer camps and traditional summer activities have made this a very different summer holiday experience for many young people. CETB has moved quickly to help fill the void, and I urge as many young people as possible to participate,” added Mr. Leamy.
The We Are Cork Youth Challenge will involve young people uploading videos of their challenges completed to Microsoft’s free, easily accessed and secure FLIPGRID app and social media channels which will be moderated by CETB. Entries can be made via www.corkcoco.ie
Want to get €5, absolutely free? Sign up to the ‘Smart’ Debit Card – Curve today, and earn a fiver on us! Find out more here.