Rotary Youth Leadership Award

RYLA is one of the most successful Rotary programmes run by Rotary clubs around the world. It is a fun and intensive training programme for young people, offering the potential leaders of the future the chance to get a head start at an early age.

In District 1210 they attend a five day camp organised by Rotary club members, with professional support.  RYLA gives young people and young adults the chance to improve leadership and communication skills, explore career paths, share ideas and experiences, and discuss creative approaches for resolving family, social, and professional conflicts.

The Rotary Club of Wellington sends two students to the District 1210 RYLA camp each year.  Students make application for a place and following interview the participants are chosen.  In 2014 Benn Harrison and Thom Llewellyn who attend New College, Wellington were chosen.  The photograph shows Benn and Thom with President of the Rotary Club of Wellington Venn Davies and Chair of Youth Services Peter Williams.

Former Chair of Wellington’s Youth Services Committee, Peter Williams writes:

Way back in May three members of the Youth Services Committee attended New College to interview this years candidates for the District 1210 Rotary Young Leaders Award.  I drove the successful candidates to Kibblestone Scout Camp to begin their week. I was under instructions to just drop them off and leave so that assessment could commence to decide which of four teams our candidates would be placed.

The week consists of numerous tasks to complete for each team, for example raft building, orienteering and assault courses. These tasks are organised by a professional group and at the end of the course there is a winning team with medals awarded. Participants lead their team and others in various tasks and have a de-briefing session afterwards to discuss positive and negative issues arising from their leadship style..

When I arrived at the end of the week to take them home they had huge kit bags full of dirty washing but an enormous smile on their faces. They will be attending our Friday meeting on 23rd October to thank members for giving them this opportunity and to tell us more about their experiences.

RYLA at Kibblestone International Scout Camp

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