A stash of cash for youth expeditions is going unused by young Kiwi trampers.

Each year, FMC offers quarterly cash grants of $200 to support young people on their Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Adventurous Journeys as well as the Scouts NZ Venturer Award Expeditions.

However, FMC is often left with more grants than they have applicants.

“You’d think it’d be easy to give away money to help people go tramping, but it’s been quite hard,” FMC development officer Dan Clearwater said.

FMC has four rounds of grants each year, and so far hasn’t reached the maximum number of grants for any of the rounds.

“Any application which met the criteria has received the grant,” Clearwater said. “We’d love to get more applications so we can give more money away to deserving applicants.”

The $200 grants, funded by the Maerewhenua Trust, can be used for any expenses associated with the trip, including travel costs, hut fees, food and gear hire.

“It’s great to see FMC supporting our rangatahi to have amazing experiences in the New Zealand back country,” Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award national director Karen Ross said. “The amazing memories they gain stay with them for life.”

The next round of applications closes on November 15. Visit the FMC website to apply.