The activities were once again a mixture of physical and intellectual challenges. These activities were being provided by a company called Awesome Adventure for 2014 and included a search and rescue activity, raft building, orienteering, hashing, coracle building, and activity called stretched where a group of eight have to carry a leaking barrel around an assault course loosing as little water as possible, in as short as time as possible, murder hunt and others. The murder hunt is a full day’s activity during which the group are presented with a range of challenges, both intellectual and physical, some of which require the whole group to be involved and others require smaller sub-groups to complete the tasks. The group themselves are responsible for the deployment of their team members in the most productive way in order to complete as many tasks as possible. Each task is given a monetary value which in turn enables the team, to buy clues and hopefully solve the murder. One of the activities that takes place off campus is bell boating on the Stone Canal, a bell boat is basically two Canadian canoes strapped together. Just as with all the activities the bell boating has a specific leadership element. With the bell boating, it is open water, the group can have some fun but when the bell boat is at the bottom of the lock, a potentially hazardous situation, the leadership must be more autocratic and instructions followed to the letter, both quickly and accurately.

In the evenings the RYLAians were presented with a wide range of events, an evening orienteering exercise, a fun quiz, an auction which lead to the collection of clues on a treasure hunt, which in turn leads to the accumulation of the materials to build their bivvie. They made a mask of plaster of Paris formed over their partner’s face, they then decorated the outside as they hope the world perceived them and inside the manner to illustrate their most inner thoughts about themselves. A Lifestraw presentation aimed at challenging the RYLAians to raise some money for the purchase of some of these items.

This year four guest speakers were invited to make a contribution to the course. These were:-

  • David Hayner from Stretch Development, he delivered a truly inspirational presentation on goal setting and related topics.
  • Zac, a returning RYLAian, spoke about what the course had meant to him and how it has helped him achieve in his everyday life. He also told the young people how his RYLA experience had motivated him to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of his chosen charity.
  • Alex Gore gave a truly inspirational presentation about his recent rowing of the Atlantic, again to raise money for charity.
  • We also had an evening presentation by Disaster Aid UK. On the final morning of the course I gave an outline of what Rotary is and does and also a presentation of all other opportunities that Rotary can offer to young people.

It may be of interest to you to read the Aims and Objectives of the RYLA Course, an aid to your selection of candidates.

The objectives of the course are:-

  • To develop leadership experience and skills
  • To stimulate the mind through pride in achievement
  • To emphasise the importance of competition, health, fitness, character and tolerance as inputs to the quality of life
  • To demonstrate Rotary’s commitment to the development of and respect of young people

The Aims

  • To challenge candidates by putting them under pressure in an enjoyable way.
  • To encourage and foster leadership development through teamwork and communication

The course is open to young men and women who are over 16 by and under 18 on the day the course commences. They should be perceived to have leadership potential, have the ability to mix and have a basic self-discipline.

Although based on an outdoor theme it is not an ‘outward bound’ course. A basic level of fitness is necessary, as is an open enquiring mind.

Perhaps some further detail on how the RYLA Residential Course runs will be helpful, particularly for those who have not been involved. It is held at Kibblestone Scout Camp, Oulton, near Stone – an excellent venue, as a centre for this activity based course. The accommodation is basic but adequate and we ensure that they are well fed. The course has a balance of activities, review sessions and briefs to help the RYLAians develop their leadership skills. It is hoped to give the young people the opportunity, not just to understand the methodology and theory behind but also to put this into practice during the course but more importantly for the rest of their lives. It is not a pass or fail course, the RYLAians are not being assessed, although they are observed in order to facilitate feedback and advice. This is an experiential course which involves participating in problem solving solving activities. It is both physically and mentally demanding but highly rewarding. As a spin off leading from all this, the RYLAians in these six days make very good friends for life.

Now just a little about organistion. On the first day the young people are involved in various ‘icebreakers’ and a bridge building exercise as a whole group. During these activities the young people are observed by the mentors and Awesome Adventure’s staff and four groups are decided upon with a balance of personality types and physical abilities in each. It’s in these groups that all the course activities are completed and a mentor is attached to each of the groups.

An opportunity for Rotarians and parents to visit Kibblestone occurred on the last evening for the “RYLA HAS TALENT NIGHT“. The evening caters for individual and team entertainment, including Rotarians involved, with or without talent. The aim is to have fun and entertain Rotarian guests and their families from sponsoring clubs and give us an opportunity to say thank you.

However, perhaps a few messages from some of the RYLAians will say more than I ever could:

Not a fan of early mornings but was amazed at how much it enabled us to fit into the day. All the activities were great and I’ve never experienced them before. Once in a lifetime experience.

Overall it was a jam packed week of adventures. It was never boring and there was always something to do. The staff were very encouraging and gave confidence even to the shyest in the group. Overall an absolutely amazing week.

Fantasic experience which I will never forget. I have gathered so much knowledge and feel like a completely different person.

It was a great experience and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. It really was life changing and I would love to come back next year and help out.

If any Rotarians are motivated and interested in getting involved please contact me:

David Roberts, Director of RYLA 2015 of the Rotary Club of Market Drayton.

We do need more people to come forward as we are thin on the ground.

A date for your diary – next year’s RYLA will take place 16th AUG to 21st AUG 2015