The Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) has announced the relaunch of its “Moor Boots” grant scheme, initially established as part of the “Moor than Meets the Eye” landscape partnership.
Aimed at dismantling financial hurdles that prevent young students from experiencing outdoor activities, the scheme saw significant success in its inaugural years, 2018-2019, and is poised for a broader impact in its current iteration.
In an effort to expand its reach, the DPA has collaborated with organizers of the Ten Tors and Jubilee Challenge, both cornerstone events in the region that test the mettle and resilience of young adventurers.
This year, “Moor Boots” is set to support a more extensive cohort, focusing on meeting the diverse needs of various teams across the region, as reported by the Tavistock Times Gazette.
Tom Usher, CEO of the DPA, underscores the vital role of outdoor challenges like the Ten Tors in instilling a deep-seated appreciation for Dartmoor and national parks more broadly among the youth.
The Ten Tors Challenge, known for its rigorous demands, entails a multi-day hike across Dartmoor, undertaken without supervision. This event, alongside the Jubilee Challenge—which is tailored to young people aged 14 to 21 with complex needs—highlights the spectrum of outdoor experiences facilitated by the DPA’s initiatives.
To support participation in these events, the DPA has implemented a thorough grant application process, resulting in the provision of high-quality camping equipment for approximately 50 young individuals from 11 different organizations.
Usher specifically notes the prohibitive cost of outdoor equipment as a significant barrier to participation. The “Moor Boots” scheme, therefore, represents a critical intervention, enabling students to surmount financial obstacles and engage fully with the outdoor experiences offered by Dartmoor.
“Having financial support for kit can make a huge difference in enabling students to access the outdoors and engage positively with the environment,” Usher explains, highlighting the transformative potential of the scheme for individual participants and their communities.
The relaunch of “Moor Boots” signifies the DPA’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in outdoor adventures. By providing financial assistance for essential gear, the scheme not only facilitates engagement with the challenging and enriching activities of the Ten Tors and Jubilee Challenge but also fosters personal growth, resilience, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.
As the Dartmoor Preservation Association moves forward with the “Moor Boots” scheme, its efforts to make the beauty and challenge of Dartmoor accessible to all young adventurers serve as a beacon for the importance of outdoor education and the cultivation of environmental stewardship among the next generation.