Gaisce Challenge Areas

In the Personal Skill Challenge Area, you have a chance to develop an existing skill or try something brand new. This is an opportunity for you to explore an activity that interests you and to develop skills you may have previously thought were beyond your reach.

Examples of Personal Skills:
Art, Baking, Coding, Cooking, Creative Writing, DIY, Drawing, First Aid, Gardening, Knitting, Language Learning, Musical Instrument, Online Courses, Painting, Photography, Singing, Videography.

In the Community Involvement Challenge Area, you have the chance to volunteer with diverse community groups and charities, dedicating your time to support people, animals, or communal activities. Gaisce often serves as a young person’s initial introduction to volunteering and active citizenship. Volunteering offers an excellent avenue for you to connect with your community, boost your self-assurance, forge new friendships and expand your network, all while acquiring fresh skills. Engaging with your community empowers you to voice your ideas and actively contribute to meaningful changes in your surroundings.

Examples of Community Involvement:
Animal Welfare Volunteer, Charity Volunteer, Community Garden, Community Mural, Community Tidy, Environmental Awareness Activities, Lifeguarding, Local History Project, Neighbour Support, Sports Coach/Referee, Youth Club Volunteer.

In the Physical Recreation Challenge Area, you have the chance to enhance your proficiency in a physical activity you already enjoy or explore a new sport or exercise. Engaging in physical activity is not only beneficial for your body but also vital for your overall well-being.  It’s important to choose activities that match your current capabilities. Whether you undertake these activities individually or as part of a team, your dedication and commitment as an individual are what truly matter, even in the context of team sports.

Examples of Physical Recreation:
Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Dancing, Football, GAA, Gym Activities, Hiking, Kayaking, Online Exercise Classes, Physiotherapy, Rugby, Running, Skateboarding, Tennis, Walking, Yoga.

The Adventure Journey often proves to be the most memorable aspect of Gaisce for participants. It is an opportunity to plan, train for and complete an outdoor activity over a number of days/nights as part of a team. It is a unique, challenging and memorable experience. It creates strong bonds between participants as well as the opportunity to develop self-sufficiency and leadership skills. The Adventure Journey can take place on land or water. Participants must travel by their own physical efforts: foot, cycle, canoe, horse and sail.

Examples of an Adventure Journey:
Check out our Adventure Journey resource guide, available to download here.

For Gold Award participants, you will be required to attend a Gold Residential that takes place over 5 days and 4 nights. You will be in an unfamiliar environment with people who are not your usual companions working towards a common goal. The project activity should take place over consecutive days and nights. In exceptional circumstances, the residential can be completed over two weekends, using the same activity, within the same calendar year. This must be approved in advance with Gaisce – The President’s Award.