Forest Holidays are lending their support to help widen opportunities for young people to get out and active in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

As part of a partnership deal with the UK’s National Parks, funding received from Forest Holidays will be used to expand the National Park Authority’s programme of activity for the ‘Year of Young People’.

The funding will allow young people to experience a residential programme, special volunteer activities, and offering more school pupils the chance to take part in the Junior Ranger Programme. Young people taking part in the activities will also be able to create and star in their own films to celebrate their achievements throughout the year.

The Junior Ranger programme delivers a unique hands-on experience for young people, allowing them to develop an understanding of nature in the National Park and the challenges of balancing conservation and environmental protection with welcoming visitors and the needs of residents.

Gordon Watson, chief executive of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “We’re delighted that with support from Forest Holidays, we can further extend how Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park actively engages with young people to learn and benefit more from the outdoors, this year and beyond. This has helped us to reach out to more young people in and around our National Park, to provide them with the chance to develop a positive relationship with nature, one which they can return to the outdoors to develop and enjoy in years to come.”

Steve Curl, chair of the National Parks Partnership, said: “Children in the UK need more opportunities to explore and learn in our wonderful National Parks. Forest Holidays is helping us to make this a reality for 6,000 young people across the UK this year. We look forward to developing a long-term partnership from 2019 that has potential to engage thousands more young people.”

For further information on Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority education materials and programmes, visit lochlomond-trossachs.org/learning