School pupils from Dumbarton and the Vale will have the opportunity to get out and active in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park thanks to support from a Scottish holiday company.

Forest Holidays are lending their support to help widen opportunities for young people to experience all the benefits of nature as part of a partnership deal with the UK's National Parks.

Thanks to this deal, the National Park Authority’s programme of activity for the ‘Year of Young People’ has been expanded and local schoolkids are reaping all the benefits.

This includes pupils from the Vale of Leven Academy who will be taking part in the National Park Junior Ranger programme for the first time this year and will also be able to create and star in their own films to celebrate their achievements throughout the year.

The Junior Ranger programme delivers a unique hands-on experience for young people, allowing them to develop an understanding of nature in the National Park and the challenges of balancing conservation and environmental protection with welcoming visitors and the needs of residents.

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “We’re delighted that with support from Forest Holidays, we can further extend how Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park actively engages with young people to learn and benefit more from the outdoors, this year and beyond. This has helped us to reach out to more young people in and around our National Park, to provide them with the chance to develop a positive relationship with nature, one which they can return to the outdoors to develop and enjoy in years to come.”

Bruce McKendrick, Chief Executive Officer of Forest Holidays, said: “We are incredibly proud to be working with the UK National Parks in order to help young people experience and enjoy the UK’s special landscapes. A recent report found that three quarters of children today spend less time outside than prison inmates, an unacceptable situation which we all need to work to rectify."

Chair of National Parks Partnerships, Steve Curl added: “Children in the UK need more opportunities to explore and learn in our wonderful National Parks. Forest Holidays is helping us to make this a reality for 6,000 young people across the UK this year. We look forward to developing a long-term partnership from 2019 that has potential to engage thousands more young people.”