GIVING a focus and positive alternatives to young people at risk of drug abuse, crime and anti-social behaviour is a tough challenge.

Setting up youth projects in a county as large as North Yorkshire also has its problems.

But the difficulties are being met by the experienced staff at Carlton Lodge outdoor centre near Thirsk, which is run and owned by the charity Youth Clubs North Yorkshire.

Launched 30 years ago with a royal seal of approval, it has just received a £172,186 lottery grant that will be spent on more projects designed to encourage young people to keep to the straight and narrow.

The charity, Youth Clubs North Yorkshire, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Mr Tony Christon, director, said Carlton Lodge had grown considerably in the three decades since it took over the smallholding and turned it into an outdoor centre. It was opened by Princess Margaret.

In the last ten years, major developments have put Carlton Lodge on a firm footing. In 1991, stable buildings were turned into accommodation for 84 people, and a sports hall was built in 1996.

Facilities and staff are top-notch, and provide such exciting activities for young people as raft building and canoeing. This takes place in ponds still there from the days when the 12-acre site was a brick works.

Other activities include abseiling, archery, climbing, rope bridge and orienteering, as well as activities off site in the moors and dales, such as mountain biking, hill and gorge walking, caving and white water rafting.

It is not just youngsters from North Yorkshire who use the centre. Many different groups and organisations come from as far away as Birmingham to enjoy outdoor activities.

Not all the youngsters who go there are at risk or experiencing difficulties in their lives, but a number are part of youth groups set up to help those with specific problems.

Mr Christon explained: "The whole philosophy is about providing positive alternatives to whatever these youngsters who are at risk are into. Through outdoor activities, we provide them with alternatives.

"It's all based on putting positive values together, and to a certain degree about putting across those good, old-fashioned values about respecting each other, other people and property."

One group using the centre while I was there was the Wheelbase motor project from Nottingham, a group of young males who were excluded from school or college and have been involved in car crime.

The idea is that they will gain jobs or places at college by using the skills they learn while on the motor project.

Mr Christon said structured activities such as archery were good because they instilled discipline and helped to build up self-confidence.

"They have to do what is asked of them or it becomes dangerous, and if they don't, they will no longer be able to take part. It's getting them to think about the consequences of their actions," he said.

Mr Christon accepts that some people think such individuals are simply troublemakers whose bad behaviour is being rewarded with a free holiday. But he challenges that perception. It was not that simple, he said.

"We can't make them into model citizens overnight, or in a few days, but we can provide food for thought. We work with group leaders as well as the youngsters, so hopefully they can take ideas with them when they leave and continue the work done here.

"We're not miracle workers by any means. All we can do is encourage them and show them their positive side and what they can get out of the activities."

In a pilot scheme run with Thirsk school, called the Thirsk Adventure Challenge, ten youngsters at risk of exclusion following truancy and bad behaviour, spent one afternoon a week at the centre, for ten weeks.

Mr Christon said: "One of the difficulties of that pilot project, which was successful, was getting the message across, not only to the young people, that they weren't getting a skive off school.

"It wasn't a reward for bad behaviour, because it wasn't just about taking part in outdoor activities, there were classroom sessions as well, which involved them reflecting on their behaviour and its affect on others."

Most of the youngsters involved in the scheme did improve their behaviour, and afterwards decided to organise a sponsored canoe, which raised £400 for the next scheme.

They also gave a presentation to teachers, governors and parents. This, said Mr Christon, was a marvellous achievement.

The work of Youth Clubs North Yorkshire extends further than simply offering youngsters at risk the opportunity to take part in outdoor activities.

The charity is also developing a number of exciting projects, including drugs and health initiatives which involve training youngsters to talk to their peer groups in an attempt to get the message across about substance abuse and other things that damage mind and body.

Another project provides access to quality musicians and studios to allow youngsters to express themselves through music.

The money from the lottery will develop these schemes and pay for a full-time youth work manager and two part-time workers for the county.

Mr Christon said that working with youngsters in a large rural county like North Yorkshire had its disadvantages because of the distances and travelling involved.

To solve this problem, the new youth workers would set up projects around the county and offer support afterwards, moving from location to location championing new schemes.

Mr Christon said: "This is the only way we can work effectively."

To find out more about Youth Clubs North Yorkshire and Carlton Lodge, contact the centre on 01845 522145 or e-mail infor 557149.