Winter Youth Resilience and Leadership Development Programme 2024: Awakening the Basic Goodness Within

A total of 320 students including 240 girls and 80 boys of grades VII-XII are attending a 14-day Winter Youth Resilience and Leadership Development Programme at four centres.

The centres include Rangjung Central School in Trashigang covering students of Trashigang, Lhuentse and Pemagatshel, Yebilaptsa Central School in Zhemgang covering students of Zhemgang, Trongsa, Sarpang and Gelephu Thromde, Kabesa Central School in Punakha covering students of Punakha, Gasa and Wangdue, and Tashithang MSS in Samtse covering students of Samtse, Chhukha and Phuentsholing Thromde. The Zhemgang and Samtse centers are exclusively for girls while the other two are for both boys and girls.

Coordinated by the Career Education and Counselling Division of the Department of Education Programmes, the programme is designed as a Residential Learning camp with various values and theme-based engagement programmes that build resilience and leadership skills in the students that will enable them to awaken their goodness within. Recognizing the susceptibility of young minds to negative influences during extended breaks, this initiative becomes pivotal in keeping them positively occupied.

The program encompasses thematic sessions on Resilience Development and UPSHIFT, value teaching/soft skills, leadership and skills development, and integrates holistic practices such as meditation, yoga, and Sorig Zhiney exercises. Engaging circle activities, mentor-mentee interactions featuring value-based discussions, as well as literary, drama, creative and educational shows further enrich the participants’ experience.

Guiding these young minds are resource persons comprising School Counselors, School Sports Instructors, Health Coordinators and Scout Masters with support from matrons, wardens and student scout leaders. The program which commenced on January 14 will conclude on January 27. The winter camp is not just a break from routine; it’s an opportunity for these students to discover their inherent goodness, develop resilience and hone leadership skills that will shape their paths towards a brighter future.