Participants at the International Youth Camp taking part in a team building exercise at the UL Outdoor Activity Centre

Irish Red Cross Youth members and participants from 16 National Societies around the world took part in the camp which provided them with a unique opportunity to meet with other youth members and discuss the Camp Theme "Youth - are we the new frontier of the Federation?".

Some of National Societies represented, included Britain, Germany, Belarus, Serbia, France, Uganda and The Netherlands. Participants were allocated into five groups named after each "Founding Father" - Henry Dunant, Gustave Moynier, General Dufour, Theodore Maunoir and Dr. Louis Appia. A group leader was then assigned to each group to guide them through the week's activities and assist in achieving the tasks set out for them.

The Camp began with a day in the University of Limerick Outdoor Activity Centre in Killaloe where participants were given an opportunity to challenge themselves physically with activities such as windsurfing, sailing, climbing and orienteering.

Stephen Roche, IFRC, presenting his workshop \x91In memory of Solferino\x92 at the Closing Ceremony of the International Youth Camp 2008

The Irish Red Cross was delighted to welcome John Roche and Stephen Ryan from the IFRC to the camp to provide workshops for the participants. These workshops gave the students an insight into the IFRC, the youth commission and the work being carried out by Red Cross youth members around the world. Within their groups, participants were encouraged to think about current issues and challenges for the Red Cross and in particular Red Cross Youth and their communities. Some of the main challenges identified by participants were migration, volunteering, HIV & AIDS and climate change. They were then given the opportunity to present and debate their views and propose recommendations as to where youth involvement can impact on these issues.

All the participants were also given an opportunity to take part in fun challenges such as "Exploring Limerick" and the "Red Cross Youth Challenge" where groups competed against each other in the swimming pool and sports fields and there were trips to the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Folk Park where they experienced the beautiful west coast of Ireland.

Tom Horwell (right), outgoing Chairman of the National Youth Working Group at the International Youth Camp 08, accepting a certificate from Darren Ryan & Sandra Stanley, for his outstanding contribution to Red Cross Youth.

The highlight of the camp was the closing ceremony where groups presented their "10 Point Plan" on how to attract new members to Red Cross Youth, how to promote equality in the Red Cross and how to teach the seven fundamental principles to Red Cross Youth Members. The presentations by the groups were excellent and testament to the hard work and effort put in by them and their leaders. The body of work from the Camp will be collated, published and submitted to the Federation for distribution to other National Societies and to all levels within the Irish Red Cross.

The Camp Directors Tom Horwell and Sandra Stanley wish to thank the camp staff and the Limerick minibus drivers for all their hard work in making the camp such a success. This was Tom's last duty as chairman of the National Youth Working Group, after seven years in this position. Darren Ryan will proudly take over on the 1st September.

If you or someone in your branch is interested in joining Irish Red Cross Youth please contact youth@redcross.ie or call 01 - 642 4600 for further information.