More than 1,000 young people are expected to take part in this year's Outward Bound programme, organised by the Police Service.

"Since I arrived here three years ago, we've seen the numbers involved go from 200 to 830 this year. I'm very encouraged by this,'' says Commissioner Colin Coxall, "because it's a very good way for the Police to get close to children and young people in a non-threatening way, in activities where they can become familiar with the Police in a community service setting''.

He points out that it also complements the recently inaugurated "Reach'' programme where Police officers work full-time within the school system.

"So we now have a number of qualified people who are making a significant contribution to the overall development of Bermuda's young people.'' "We have had an enormously successful year,'' agrees Chief Insp. Gertrude Barker, who oversees the programme as head of the Police's Department of Community Relations. "We have one-day sessions which serve as a `taster', five-day residential programmes on Paget Island and our overseas programme. We believe that Bermuda is probably the only country that is fully sponsored by companies and individuals to send people away. This is impressive as it costs $2,200 for each person.'' Outward Bound Bermuda was designated as a charity last year, with a board of trustees that includes Commissioner Coxall, Chief Insp. Barker, local director P.c. Mark Norman and senior instructor P.c. Steve Palmer. "We are responsible for raising and administering our own accounts -- the Police Service is not responsible for the funding,'' emphasises P.c. Norman.

Outward Bound, which began in Wales in 1941, during the Second World War, is now a worldwide personal development programme that spans 24 countries on five continents. P.c. Norman represents Bermuda on the international board which is composed of every Outward Bound school in the world. Since 1970, a total of 6,875 young people have attended UK Outward Bound courses.

Taking its name from the concept of ships' crews leaving the security of home to embark on bold adventures, Outward Bound was co-founded by educator Kurt Hahn, one of his first participants being Prince Philip, the programme's patron. Part physical survival course and part character builder, Hahn saw his innovative programme as a way to combat what he described as the modern curses of a decline in fitness and initiative, care and skill, self-discipline and an absence of compassion.

Former Bermuda Police officer Tony Diggins, who had attended Outward Bound in Britain as part of his own career development, was inspired to initiate the programme in Bermuda. In 1970, he and his supporters raised enough money to send the first students off on the UK course.

After that, the Department of Youth and Sport agreed that more young people could participate if a local school were established. Eventually, says P.c.

Norman, it was realised that it would make more sense, logistically, to have the programme running year-round. With opportunities now offered to the mentally and physically handicapped, the staff facilitate one-day and weekend sessions during the off-season.

"Our one-day course give students a good idea of what we have out there on Paget Island and to see what sort of activities are on offer.'' These, which definitely fall into the `adventure' category include such things as rock climbing and abseiling off the steep cliffs at St. David's, canoeing, camping, trekking and orienteering, raft-building and sailing, climbing "the wall'' (a familiar feature of most Outward Bound centres), the challenge of "the high ropes'' and climbing to the top of the "pamper'' pole.

"The five-day course, for people aged from 12 to 15, begins with a Monday briefing which challenges them to try their hardest and to motivate each participant for what is always a very strenuous week,'' explains P.c. Palmer.

"They have to realise it's not a donkey ride. They get up at 6.30 a.m. for an early morning dip and run, and they have to help prepare breakfast and generally help with the cooking and washing up -- this teaches them to be responsible for themselves and for others.'' "Everything is structured so that, even if it's too windy to go sailing, for instance, there is no sitting around - they will be kept busy and moving,'' adds P.c. Norman. "Quite often,'' he muses, "people actually look back with fondness on the experience! We encourage each person to do their best, but we don't force them. Some have fear of heights and our training, which is extremely safety-conscious, actually helps them to overcome their fears. The concept of working in a team helps to encourage this.'' Outward Bound is not all hard work and no play, however. Lasting friendships are formed and most students do look back nostalgically on those relaxed and friendly evenings spent toasting marshmallows and singing round an island camp-fire.

For the past two years, civilians have also been recruited to teach the summer residential courses on Paget Island. "This has worked better than we thought it would, as Police instructors were already trained. We now have to train instructors before we actually start the programme,'' says P.c. Norman, "but we still managed to get 100 students on this year's five-day summer courses.'' Noting Outward Bound is now part of the main education agenda, P.c. Palmer says that besides primary students, middle schoolers will be doing the course, "for at least a day''.

From its inception, Outward Bound Bermuda has provided young people with an opportunity to live and work in close quarters with Police officers. "During this time,'' says P.c. Norman, "they develop a new appreciation for those who are entrusted with law enforcement and they come to realise that Policemen are, after all, human!'' Pointing out that it is "unique circumstance'' to have an Outward Bound school organised by a Police Service, Mr. Coxall says: "This has been a wonderful way of furthering our emphasis on interacting with the public through community policing.'' AND THE WINNERS ARE . . . Commissioner Colin Coxall (centre), pictured with students Brian Dyer Dole (right), overall top student in this summer's Outward Bound programme, and runner-up Spencer Conway (left). Also pictured are (left to right) P.c. Steve Palmer, Chief Insp. Gertrude Barker, P.c. Sam Davis, and P.c. Mark Norman of the Bermuda Police Service, organisers of Outward Bound.

Also highly commended was Jarrod Zancanella (not shown).

Photo: Outward Bound Collection SEILING AWAY -- Outward Bound instructor P.c. Steve Palmer supervises an abseiling exercise at Fort St. Catherine in St. George's.