Hundreds of nature walks are being organised for youngsters as a follow-up to a six-point battle plan aimed at stamping out youth violence.

New Youth and Sport Minister John Barritt unveiled a new plan to start summer walks in parks and tours around forts yesterday.

He said the idea was to attract tourists and local adults into Bermuda's parklands.

But Mr. Barritt said the walks were also aimed at giving youngsters an "extra outlet'' and were designed to teach schoolchildren about Bermuda's nature and history.

In January, former Youth and Sport Minister Tim Smith announced six different projects costing $750,000 in a bid to combat spiralling violence among young people.

Mr. Barritt told The Royal Gazette : "I wouldn't want this to be considered a separate project or a totally individual initiative.

"It's another avenue that is open to us to give kids opportunities. People here often have the impression that parks are for someone else. But we want youngsters to realise that parks are for them.

"The idea behind these tours is not necessarily part of a multi-partite approach to a youth problem.

"It just strikes us as a sensible thing to do. We have got all these parks and nature reserves and we don't want people walking away from them.'' The tours, which start on June 15, will run for two months during the summer, with two a day at 10 forts and parks.

The schedule allows for up to 800 walks but tours will not be run if there is insufficient demand.

Eight summer students will be hired as tour guides for the two-hour walks and their intensive training begins next week.

And groups running summer camps are being urged to include a tour in their programme to teach young people more about Bermuda's past.

Mr. Barritt added: "We are trying to open up the parks to cultivate an awareness and an appreciation and an affection for the parks.

"We want people to know that there's an opportunity to enjoy as well as to commune with nature.'' It is the first time an organised programme of summer walks and tours has been implemented.

"Previously, it's been done in a quiet way,'' said the new minister. "Now this initiative will be promoted through the hotels and we are going to make a brochure available.'' The weekday walks, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., have been scheduled for Great Head Park, Ferry Point Park, Fort William, Fort Scaur, Ferry Point Park, Admiralty House Park, South Shore Park, Blue Hole Park, Hog Bay Park and Spittal Pond Nature Reserve.