The Annington Challenge

Annington Challenge

The Annington Challenge

Offering support to young people living in Service communities to go Outward Bound.

What's it about?

It's a chance to take control of your summer and experience an Outward Bound summer adventure, subsidized by Annington (up to 90%).

You can choose from four courses: a 5-day adventure, a 7-day adventure, a 14-day adventure or a 19-day adventure.

From the moment you arrive, you'll be immersed in spectacular scenery. Rowing across lakes and camping in the wild to lighting fires and building shelters - outdoor adventure will be at the heart of everything you do.

Watch this video to find out more.

Funding

Annington will meet the costs of the challenge and only asks for a small personal contribution towards the course from each participant.

2024 funding levels are depicted below; these may change each year:

  • £85 towards a 5-day adventure (worth £575)
  • £89 towards a 7-day adventure (worth £785)
  • £250 towards a 14-day adventure (worth £1,535)
  • £379 towards a 19-day adventure (worth £2,050)

If you are a Naval applicant and your Annington Challenge application has been successful, the Naval Children’s Charity's Life Chances programme may be able to offer funding that can help cover your personal contribution.

APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2024 HAVE NOW CLOSED

Register your interest for 2025

Applications for 2024 are now closed, please complete the form below to register your interest for 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Annington?

Annington is one of the UK’s largest private landlords with a portfolio of over 40,000 properties. The majority of these homes form the Married Quarters Estate and are leased to the Ministry of Defence. You'll find more information about the Annington Challenge here.

Am I eligible for funding?

To be eligible applicants must be a UK passport holder, be aged between 10-19 at time of participation and have a parent serving with the Army, Navy or Air Force.

If you're not sure if you're eligible we recommend applying anyway as we may have alternative funding available, so it's still worth registering!

How much is the funding worth?

Annington will meet the costs of the challenge and only asks for a small personal contribution towards each course from each participant. This will be:

  • £85 towards a 5-day adventure (worth £575)
  • £89 towards a 7-day adventure (worth £785)
  • £250 towards a 14-day adventure (worth £1,535)
  • £379 towards a 19-day adventure (worth £2,050)
What is the selection criteria?

To ensure that the spirit of the Annington Challenge is maintained, there are a number of criteria for the selection of suitable candidates. The Annington Challenge is for young people who have experienced any of the following:

  • Disruption to education
  • Frequent relocations
  • Loss or disruption to friendship groups due to relocations
  • Parent(s) on extended tours
  • Concerns around anxiety and mental wellbeing
  • Parental separation

Applicants should also:

  • Be children whose parent(s) are serving in any of the Armed Forces and who live in Services Communities
  • Be between 10 years and 19 years at the start date of the course
  • Be prepared to write a compulsory short report on their experience

Participants attending an Outward Bound course will be joining a community where they will work together, eat together, live together, laugh together and develop together. When nominating potential applicants, please consider the degree to which an individual is likely to benefit from a programme involving team working, leadership and communication skills.

Can I do the Annington Challenge with a friend?

As personal development and meeting new friends are at the forefront of the aims of our adventures, Outward Bound will allocate no more than three places per working group – some scheduled course dates have more than one working group – to the Annington Challenge.

Applicants must therefore be prepared to attend courses on their own, or with perhaps one or two other friends, if places allow.

What will happen to my personal data/details?

The Outward Bound Trust and Annington will together use the data from your Annington Challenge application form to help select participants and manage the Annington Challenge. Annington won’t see anything you enter on your Outward Bound participant information form or other Outward Bound forms.

If you agree to it, The Outward Bound Trust will also retain your contact details for marketing purposes and to share other potential funding opportunities regarding our summer adventures with you. You can opt-out at any time and we respect your data rights.

For more information, see Outward Bound’s full privacy policy. View Annington’s privacy policy.

What clothing and equipment do I need?

All specialist clothing and equipment will be supplied by The Outward Bound Trust. Whether it's a specialist activity and safety equipment, waterproofs, boots, sleeping bag, rucksack or a tent.

All you need to bring on your Outward Bound adventure is personal clothing and footwear, including things to wear during the evening when you're not taking part in activities.

You can download our kit list here.

I’m a Navy applicant - how do I get in touch with the Naval Children’s Charity?

The Naval Children’s Charity may be able to offer funding through the Life Chances programme that can help to cover your personal contribution. You can contact them via their website, please click here.

500 and counting

Since 2012, more than 500 young people from Service families living on ‘the Patch’ have taken part in the Annington Challenge.

The initiative gives young people (aged 10-19) an opportunity to experience a real adventure and return home with new-found confidence, teamwork skills and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Annington CEO congratulates Henry Watts who became the 500th military youngster to tacke the Annington Challenge, July 2023, Aberdyfi.

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On this course, I was very shy to start with (and) now I feel more confident. I think my whole view has changed and I am one step closer to the person I want to be!
Jo, 15
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OGWEN CHOSEN