Teenagers across the county are being urged to sign up for free rock-climbing, surfing and gorge walking this summer.

Organised by Oxfordshire County Council as part of the Government’s National Citizen Service (NCS), the free course has 105 places up for grabs for the county’s 16- and 17-year-olds.

Last year, 8,000 youngsters from across England took part in the scheme, which focuses on personal and social development.

Among the activities are outdoor pursuits at a residential adventure camp, music, performance and arts events. Called Summer Challenge, the scheme runs for five weeks from Thursday, July 26, and activities are designed to challenge participants, teach them new skills, encourage them to make new friends and bring out the best in them.

Ryan Johnson, NCS co- ordinator for the county council, said: “The idea is to bring young people from different backgrounds together to meet new people, challenge themselves and try out new things, while giving them the opportunity to make a difference in their own communities and, most importantly, have fun.

“The Summer Challenge is a voluntary programme and is open to anyone who will be 16 or 17 years old by Friday, August 31, 2012.

“Once participants have registered an interest, programme representatives will be in touch to discuss the scheme in more detail.

“There are 105 places in Oxfordshire up for grabs. I would encourage people to sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, it is a great initiative.”

The programme starts on July 26 with activities including laser gaming.

This will be followed by five days away at an adventure residential centre.

Then, from Monday, August 6, until August 24, young people can get involved with a subject they are passionate about such as music or art.

Finally on August 28, the group will go on a final residential trip and put together a presentation for family and friends.

Two Oxfordshire teenagers who took part in last year’s event were Suleiman Ahmed and Kiran Dhingra-Smith.

Suleiman said: “I gained a lot from my NCS experience.

“I have made some friends for life and feel like a really valuable member of my community.”

Kiran added: “For my community project I taught basketball to local kids. It was great to give something back to my community.”

Leaflets are available in school and at the county council’s early intervention hubs.

For more information call the Summer Challenge team on 01865 896282 or 815870 or email annette.richards@ oxfordshire.gov.uk or ryan.johnson@ oxfordshire.gov.uk