Young people across the country are to experience adventure, arts, media projects and residential summer camps, thanks to a �4.5 million cash injection, outlined today by the Children�s Minister Beverley Hughes.

Some of the extra funding will give young people particularly those in deprived areas, the chance to attend community cohesion themed camps which start this autumn as well as mainstream summer camps. These camps will encourage young people to develop their social and emotional skills and build understanding and appreciation of others from different backgrounds.

The funding will also provide activities and projects young people want, at the times they need them, all year round. These will bring together young people from different backgrounds, gender, race, ethnicity and religion and will aim to help promote positive community relations. The projects will help to occupy vulnerable young people who may otherwise get involved in antisocial behaviour.

Some of the themes that will be included at these camps include: 

• gang activity and its impact on the community;
• managing rivalry and conflict between two areas;
• community issues and celebrating diversity; anti-racism; 
• reducing isolation and improving self-worth;

Welcoming the new funding at her visit to a Do it 4 Real project at Edale, Derbyshire, Beverley Hughes said:

�I am pleased that this new funding will give hundreds of young people the opportunity to take part in lots of positive activities. The summer break, in particular, gives children and young people time to relax and develop their interests. We want to make sure that young people have plenty of interesting things to do, are kept active and engaged, and out of trouble. These camps will give these young people a chance to mix with their peers, have fun, make new friends and learn new skills.

�We also want our young people to be good citizens, active in the community and play a positive part in their local communities. I am aware that there are lots of challenges that young people face in contributing positively to their local community but things can be done to address problems at the earliest opportunity and stop things escalating. Some of these projects we are announcing today will help young people to work side by side and explore sensitive issues in creative ways. Running these projects in the evenings and weekends will help us to tackle those young people who are turning to drink, crime or anti-social behaviour simply because they are bored."

YHA's Chairman, Chris Darmon, visiting the Do it 4 Real camp with Beverley Hughes, said;

"YHA is delighted to be asked to provide new opportunities for young people. In our experience, all young people, regardless of circumstance, can benefit from participation in positive activities so the Minister's announcement of funding to support community cohesion through residential camps is extremely welcome. Working alongside other organisations, YHA looks forward to helping young people reach their full potential and enjoy their lives."

The projects will be delivered by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) Do it 4 Real and the Youth Media Fund Mediabox in 2008. The YHA will use a mixture of targeted activity within mainstream camps and a series of specialist camps to promote positive community relations, targeting specific geographical areas where there may be particular community challenges and or cohesion issues relevant to young people.

Do it 4 Real is a national residential activity programme for young people aimed at providing 10-16 year olds with structured adventure and creative activities during the summer holidays. Mediabox gives grants to 13 to 19 years old to develop and produce creative media projects for film, television, radio, online and multi media platforms.