Programmes
BAC Open Award Centre
Running for 15 years and co-ordinated by volunteers, this programme ensures open access to the Award Programmes for unattached young people. Most individual young people find great difficulty completing the expedition section of the Award. BAC provides the necessary staffing, safety equipment and expertise to facilitate them. Each year BAC facilitates expeditions locally and globally.
The Belfast Activity Centre Open Award Centre was launched in 1989. It was one of the first programmes of its type in the UK. The concept was to provide a neutral venue which was based in a central location and could facilitate unattached young people who wanted to take up the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, but did not have the necessary support to do so.
The "Open Night" was established in the YMCA in Wellington Place as this venue was only one bus journey from anywhere in the city. On its first night in 1989 six young people attended now 17 years on, the average attendance is over 50 a night. The Open Award is now based at BAC's new premises, Barnett's Stable Yard in the heart of Barnett Demesne and runs from 6pm - 8pm.
The Open nights are run totally by volunteers. Some of these volunteers are members of the full-time staff team who give up their own time to help out. On average 15 volunteers assist with the work of the Open Award Centre. Our volunteer team have a wide range of skills and qualifications, many of them take on additional training through our Volunteer Development Programme. All of our volunteers are vetted under our child protection policy and all take part in induction and health and safety training.
Costs for young people attending the Open Award Centre are kept to a minimum. Outdoor equipment and transport are supplied by the centre. Each year we ask the young people to get involved in fundraising as it costs in excess of £5,000 a year to keep the open nights running.
If you would like to attend the Open Award on a Tuesday night firstly check the calendar for the Award level which you are interested in, Bronze, Silver or Gold. If you are unsure as to which level you should start at please go to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award website for more information about the Award Program. The best time of year to enroll is the Autumn however if this is not possible come down at any time and ask to speak to one of the staff who will be happy to advise you.
You will meet with people from all backgrounds and ages! It will increase your skills and confidence. It will Help you to Help others. The Open Award nights organised by BAC are an opportunity for individual award participants to find out about, or complete their awards.
Activities include:
- Expedition Training
- First Aid
- Fire Service
- Kayaking
- Mountain Bike Skills
We also have some opportunities for those wishing to do more ambitious expeditions abroad; we have run expeditions in Canada, Germany, France, Sweden and Spain.
Anyone between the ages of 14 to 25 years old are welcome. We would particularly like to hear from students at College or University who have started their awards but not completed them yet. We are also always looking for adult volunteers to help with the activities and the organisation of the Open Award, we couldn't run it without them.
If you're interested in the Open Award either call BAC on (028) 9060 0132, simply come down on a Tuesday night, or why not e-mail us at openaward@belfastactivitycentre.com
Everyone is welcome!
To download the Bronze Calendar for 2006-2007 please click here
To download the Silver Calendar for 2007-2008 please click here
To download the Gold Calendar for 2007 - 2008 please click here
