participants taking part in Shadow event outside building at night

Nearly 400 young people took part in Nottinghamshire County Council’s 50th year of Shadow in Sherwood Forest last weekend.

Shadow is an annual overnight navigation and team event coordinated by the county council’s youth service and Notts Outdoors. The event is designed for teams of young people aged 13 to 19 and is also made accessible for young adults up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The event provides an opportunity for young people to engage in team building and challenges, test their physical, creative and thinking skills.

The overall winners of this year’s event were the Rural Wonders from Misterton.

 Jason Stanley, Youth Worker at the County Council's Misterton Young People's Centre, who supported the winning team said "We're a small club over at Misterton, winning this means so much to the young people that took part. They've all been training really hard in the lead up to Shadow and have had their own personal challenges to overcome - I'm incredibly proud of all their hard work and commitment."

Over 12,000 young people from across the county have taken part in Shadow since its launch in 1974.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Tracey Taylor, expressed her delight at reaching such a significant milestone for the event. She said,

“Shadow has grown from strength to strength over the years and has a long legacy of supporting tens of thousands of local young people. It is an enduring part of our calendar as a council.

“The event provides young people the opportunity to come together, gain some valuable life skills, make new friends, and have fun.

“A huge well done to everyone who took part and helped celebrate our 50th year of Shadow.”

Many local organisations were involved in creating the team building challenges, including Nottinghamshire Police, Youth Service, Health, Uniformed Youth groups, Notts Fire and Rescue, RSPB and more.

Councillor Taylor added, “This event would not be possible without all the people who volunteer their time and energy to ensure it is a success, so I would like say a big thank you to everyone who makes Shadow possible year on year.”

Find out more about Shadow and how to get involved next year visit: Shadow | Notts Outdoors (nottinghamshire.gov.uk)

ENDS