A group of young women from Tavistock College have been presented Sylvia Sayer awards, after completing the Girls Do Dartmoor programme. This empowering programme brings young carers, students lacking confidence and those at risk of exclusion out onto Dartmoor to experience time in nature and learn new skills.
Girls Do Dartmoor is delivered by Community Engagement Ranger, Kat’s Koster-Shadbolt, who also runs and delivers Dartmoor Youth Rangers and Nights Under The Stars. All three programmes within the CER initiative aim to empower young people and welcome them onto Dartmoor, allowing them to build a relationship with the landscape, whether that’s through conservation work, climbing or camping out for the first time. Girls Do Dartmoor offers a space for young women to push their limits and explore new activities in an environment outside of the classroom.
The Sylvia Sayer award has been created by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, celebrating Lady Sayer’s lifelong dedication to protecting and campaigning for Dartmoor, which included 22 years as the Chairman of the DPA. It felt important to showcase the profound achievements of this woman in conservation, such as being instrumental in saving the Swincombe valley from being flooded to form a reservoir. Alongside a certificate, the girls are given a specially created sew on badge, which they can wear with pride to mark their achievement.
As part of the Girls Do Dartmoor programme, these students from Tavistock College learnt to collect native seeds, explored archaeology, planted trees, tested themselves with group challenges and climbed granite rockfaces. They also strengthened friendships, learnt that they were capable of far more than they first thought and built personal resilience. A vitally important message was conveyed- Dartmoor is for them and they have a place there.
The DPA have been delighted to fund the CER Ranger position in the past and we have recently financially backed the role to ensure that it will continue into the future. We have also had opportunities to assist in delivering sessions, inviting the girls onto our land at High House Waste to help with bracken control and learn about moorland habitats. Having this opportunity is truly transformative for those who take part, and being able to mark their achievement with our own award feels very special. We’re delighted that Kats will be growing the programme further next year, offering spaces to even more students from a variety of schools, and we will once again be proud to assist in delivering sessions.
Here’s a taster of some of the positive feedback from girls who completed the programme:
‘This program is amazing for you! Always be brave. Never let anything bring you down! You can do anything.’
‘Girls Do Dartmoor is so fun I enjoyed it so much even in horrid weather you can find the fun. Kats is the absolute best! She is so sweet and fun.’
‘Girls Do Dartmoor is an amazing experience to do fun or relaxing activities in the wildlife. There are some exciting activities and sweet treats. It will boost confidence.’
‘This is the most fun thing you will do in school. You will feel scared or nervous at the start but by the end you will have new friends and have had lots of hot choc and fun times.’
Images: Kats Koster-Shadbolt, DNPA