Rescue Rookies
Empowering the next generation of rescuers with real-world skills, resilience, and a spirit of service—starting at age 14.
“Develop well rounded and resilient young people so that they can make a positive contribution to the communities within which they live.”
___ Serve On Charitable Objectives

What We Do
Young people aged 14 and above can engage in all aspects of Serve On’s mission, from hands-on training to disaster response. This program develops resilience, leadership, and teamwork, empowering youth to contribute to their communities. Regardless of background, participants receive the tools and support to thrive in challenging situations, preparing them for both rescue work and life’s obstacles. Serve On inspires the next generation of leaders through growth and responsibility.
Rookies will get the opportunity to:
- Learn how to live and work in the field, including bushcraft and field cooking
- Qualify as a Water Rescue Operator
- Complete First Aid Qualifications
- Learn about the structure and logistics of Search and Rescue Operations
- Assist the Dog Team in their training
- Set up generators, power lines, lighting, and long range communications in a safe and reliable manner.
- Volunteer in community tasks
Rescue Rookies For Schools & groups
Rookies will get the opportunity to:
Schools, clubs, and youth groups can book a visit from our team to learn about the world of Search and Rescue as well as hear how the principles we follow in the field can help in everyday life too. Available sessions include short talks such as:
- Who is Serve On?
- How Earthquake Rescue Works
- Bears, Pirates, and an International Rescue Team: How to Be More Resilient
As well as interactive sessions including:
- Staying Safe Near Water
- CPR and Basic Life Support
- Rescue Tools and How We Use Them
Experience days
Groups can also book experience days where you come to our site and take part in one of a range of activities which can cover everything from driving the water rescue boats to venturing through our USAR tunnel training rigs. Attendees will get a taste of some SAR disciplines and gain some useful transferrable skills in the process.
Activities you may select from include:
- Urban Search & Rescue
- First Aid
- Dealing with a Road Traffic Collision
- Managing a Base of Operations
- Water Rescue
- K9 Search
- Bushcraft
- Project Planning
We can also provide ‘team building’ centred experience days for groups intending to go on expeditions or project work.
Camps
Since 2022 Serve On has hosted Annual Summer Camps at our headquarters in Chilmark. Attendees get the chance to try out a range of different Search and Rescue (SAR) disciplines. Activities are run by our own team – experienced specialists in their fields – and scenarios are set up to be as realistic as possible, just like in the team’s regular training. All of these are tied together with the story of a natural disaster based on real-life deployments.
Leadership is a key theme of these camps and all Rookies will have the opportunity to step forward and lead their team. These activities are designed to boost confidence, inspire, and empower young people to become leaders in their own right. Each small team will have a guide with them to help navigate their journey and develop their leadership skills.
During the course of the camp we also host world-class facilitators and speakers – including those from the worlds of Elite Sports, Human Performance & Psychology, the Emergency Services, and the Special Forces.
We are now opening up these camps to be booked by groups. Whether you’re a school, a scout group, a sports team, or any other type of youth organisation – we can put on a camp tailored for you. These camps can be built to cover the requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential.
Get in contact today to find out more!
Support Us
Your contributions are the backbone of our mission. Donations enable us to respond faster, train more volunteers, and reach those in need, worldwide and locally.