Aim
The Eagles Nest is a youth development charity. As such, our programmes are designed to give participants as rewarding and wide-ranging an experience as possible. T.E.N will provide experiential learning opportunities that enable young people to develop communication, team working and leadership skills that in turn increase their self confidence, self esteem, determination, initiative, and sense of purpose. T.E.N will offer personal development in a fun, safe and facilitated environment beyond the classroom.

Mission
To develop dynamic personal and social educational tour for young people whose life styles reflect a lack of opportunity and poverty of aspiration? This will be an opportunity to break down racial and sometimes social barriers among the youth. Travelling to Ghana in West Africa to see sites such as the castles where slaves were bought and sold abroad, the gates of 'no return' and the new 'return' gates at these castles situated all around the coast of Ghana. Studying the famous Kakum bridge in the heart of Cape Coast, cultural costumes and dances, festivals, visiting the different regions of Ghana, the famous Akosombo dam and holding youth seminars on their experiences in Ghana, West Africa.

Benefits
On each project participants and staff volunteers will be supporting each other as a team to overcome challenges and achieve the project goals. They will develop skills such as leadership and teamwork as well as self-confidence and a strong social and environmental conscience. They will constantly surprise themselves and leave with a real sense of achievement. This educational project will enable children and youth alike to feel inclusive and broaden their education by helping the participants to be aware of other cultures and heritage and may develop a feeling of self wealth. Participants will be part of a diverse mix of people from the programme host country, volunteer staff and international volunteers so it’s an ideal environment for learning about different cultures and making new friends. The risks and challenges facing young people are all too evident- drugs, alcohol, gangs, bulling, crime, early pregnancy, etc, all of which can lead to increased numbers of young people drifting into lives of underachievement, disillusion, disempowerment and anti social behaviour. The environment phase sees participants engaging in projects which will make a positive and genuine difference to the ecology of the host country. It offers a fantastic opportunity to get close to some truly amazing natural wonders. Because we work in partnership with specialist conservation charities and the government, participants will benefit from a thorough understanding of all the issues surrounding the work they are undertaking.

The community projects are also planned in conjunction with agencies in the host country. Again, this guarantees that participants will be involved in constructing badly-needed infrastructure projects that are viable in the long-term, such as schools, medical centres and sanitation units. What's more, this phase will see participants living and working alongside the beneficiaries of the project; it's a great chance to become immersed in the cultures and traditions of the community. The adventure project is perhaps the most physically demanding phase, where participants confront the challenges of extreme environments - forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. Participants succeed through a combination of mutual support and personal fortitude.

The Eagles Nest Youth projects will be planned with and supported by host country government ministries and international development organisations. This ensures that the tasks we undertake are high quality, sustainable and are valued by the communities we are trying to help.

The Eagles Nest Youth project offers this format, which enables participants to work in three different areas of the host country, with three different groups of people, enjoying three very rewarding and different, but complementary, experiences.

Who can join The Eagle Nest Youth Project?
One of the unique features of an overseas programme with The Eagles Nest Youth Project is the diverse mix of participants. We encourage children and youth from all backgrounds and nationalities to join T.E.N in order to promote social and global awareness and challenging team working environment. Meeting other youth and children perhaps from less privileges backgrounds and experiencing their environments. Experience life in an African village.

Participants
Participants are youth ‘at risk’ in Luton, Bedfordshire. Children from less privilege backgrounds. Children and Youth in care with social services and other such organisations. These youth will have the opportunity of a life time to visit other towns and villages and this will introduce them to a new way of life.

How will the youth benefit as a participant?
• Increase self-confidence through new and challenging situations
• Acquire/build on skills such as team work, leadership, planning, adaptability
• Develop specialist relevant to particular careers
• Enhance his/her chances of achieving desired further education place/job
• Make life long friend from different nationalities and backgrounds
• meet travelling companions if continuing with independent travel
• gain pride and satisfaction from helping others
• have fun whilst learning new skills and self confidence in a safe and exiting environment