ADVENTURE Ranger Corps (ARC): Meet at John Hunt School, Popley, every Wednesday, at 7pm.

I visited the Popley unit to meet the group on June 30.

The first unit was established in Tadley in 1993, giving young people the opportunity to enjoy themselves and participate in exciting activities.

Young people from the age of eight can join ARC and newcomers are welcome.

Other units meet at Fort Hill Community School, Winklebury, and the youth club, Coppice Road, Kingsclere.

For more information, contact youth workers Ian Campbell, 07810 828491, or Lisa Tibbs, 01256 353769.

Activities encouraged by the units include swimming, communications, map reading, sports, military training, canoeing, and camping.

There is a fee of £1 per night for young members.

The first impression is of a military-based approach, with members wearing camouflage uniforms, some showing ranks of lance corporal, corporal or sergeant.

The rank structure encourages the young ones to understand rules and regulations and take responsibility.

Young people were practising and being tested on first aid when I visited.

They were applying triangular bandages and placing people in the recovery position.

Tests are adapted to encourage individual development. If a young person scores two points one week and three points the next week, the test has been passed.

Each unit meets one night a week and parents are invited to come along.

Young people from ARC help at fundraising events, for example the Kite Festival in Basingstoke and Tadley Treacle Fair.

They assisted with car parking at the Race for Life event at Down Grange and they will also help at Winklebury Carnival and Balloons over Basingstoke.