Hundreds of thousands of 16-year-olds are to be sent to summer camps under plans launched by David Cameron. Known as National Citizen Service, the plans will mean hundreds of thousands of 16-year-olds will go on voluntary summer camps at a cost of up to £1,400 each.
The Prime Minister announced that 10,000 school leavers will be able to take part in a summer volunteering programme from next year. Launching the scheme, he said: 'The young people of this country are as passionate and idealistic as any generation before -- perhaps more passionate But too many teenagers appear lost and feel their lives lack shape and direction. National Citizen Service will help change that.'
The £50million scheme, part of Cameron's Big Citizen agenda, aims to get a disaffected generation of teenagers from different racial and social backgrounds to join in local community activities.
Placements, mainly with charities and social enterprises, will last about seven or eight weeks and are targeted at those just completing their GCSE exams.
A two-month pilot involving 500 teenagers is already underway. It includes a three-week course which is made up of seven days on outdoor challenges, seven days' study at a university campus and the final week at home, culminating in a graduation ceremony. The aim is for all 16-year-olds to participate in the long term.
What do you think? Will teens benefit from National Citizen Service?