Spring 2009 Course in and around Monaco “OB places an accent on conserving the local environment”

Steve Howe from Outward Bound Uk spearheaded another week long successful Ob personal development course for our local young people. The weather conditions proved more challenging this year but Steve managed to complete the full physical activity programme of rowing, mountaineering, via ferrata, rock climbing and accrobranch. He was assisted by another Uk female instructor and a qualified local French instructors. There were two evening sessions of emotional intelligence conducted by Judy Churchill where the young people were able to work together in pairs, helping each other find alternative solutions for different existential challenges they face.

The highlight of this year’s course was undoubtedly the environmental tree planting day in Peira Cava in the company of our Patron, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

OB Monaco organized the day as part of the course (assisted by Association Pour La Terre), inviting 60 more local young people along, to raise awareness of environmental issues (local forest devastated by fires) and help increase young people’s understanding of what they can do to help care and maintain their local environment. One hundred trees were planted on the actual day with HSH the Prince breaking the ground and planting the first one. The occasion was commemorated as HSH unveiled a beautiful mosaic plaque set in stone which marks the spot which has been named the “Sentier Monégasque” in recognition of the conservational example set by the Prince and Outward Bound Monaco.

Outward Bound Monaco is proud to have been able to contribute to the upkeep of such a precious local beauty spot; however this would not have been possible without the financial support of the Monegasque association La Fondation Sancta Devota. It was thanks to the generosity of the late founder of the “Fondation”, Monsieur Lemoine, that we were able to fund this project says Judy Churchill, General Secretary of OB Monaco Associaton. HSH Prince Albert II presented OB Monaco with a cheque for five thousand euros on behalf of the foundation and Judy paid tribute to Monsieur Lemoine and his Foundation prior to the unveiling of the plaque. The rest of the trees were then planted by the young people and a final batch of seedlings will be planted in November
Youngsters from various local associations, including Jeune J’écoute from Monaco (with whom OB is establishing strong links) were invited to take part in the day’s activities which started with a physical challenge on the Peira Cava accrobranch circuit.
The Mayor of Peira Cava provided a wonderful buffet lunch for guests and participants and the day finished with Association Pour la terre leading a group mini concert around the theme of ecology. A commemorative CD was produced to mark the occasion and our thanks go to all the artists who generously donated their songs and especially Sting whose ‘tree’ song is particularly appropriate. HSH led the final sing song with OB course participants and members of Jeune J’écoute and the day ended on the hope that this will become an annual event with OB Monaco including ecology as part of its overall programme.