The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Thank you for our Young RYLA time
Rotary’s Young Lead-ership Award, held in Derbyshire, is a two-and-a-half day residential course for young people aged between 13-16 years. It aims to help young people develop their life skills in a supervised and safe environment. They learn to deal with new tasks, sometimes outside their comfort zone, developing self-reliance and leadership skills. It teaches them to solve prob-lems by working together.
Emma and Wiki (pictured with president Clive), were sponsored by Peterborough Ortons and Foundation (Rotary’s own charity) to attend. They told me their story. On arrival they were warmly welcomed by the leaders, then made new friends by playing a variety of games such as pool (their favourite) and table tennis. After an introduction from Andy (one of the leaders) they were put into groups and told how they could gain points. They played human bingo to get to know everyone – incredible fun!
That evening the first leadership experience was deciding which activity to complete. They decided to do the egg drop activity, using given material to make sure the egg could drop to the ground without cracking. Their group got extra points for the bestlooking parachute. After a tasty supper, time to socialise sipping hot chocolate.
An early start and a scrumptious breakfast prepared them for their first day. Activities started with a gutter run involving a lot of teamwork. Then, ring the bell, 10ft wall (involving teamwork and leadership skills getting everyone across the wall) and the swamp of doom. Their favourite activity was zip lining making as many trips as possible within 40 mins – 20 points for every turn completed. An extra five points gained by throwing a small ball into a bucket during the zip lining.
The second day, a BEANtiful breakfast then, dressed in a cave costume, they boarded a minibus to reach the entrance to a cave. Leaders pointed out the story of unusual parts of the cave. Their first challenge – reach the upper part of the cave, sit silently in darkness for two minutes, then go through tight holes to reach a checkpoint. Next down a slide (their favourite part!), each person earning 50 points. Back at the centre for rock climbing, a bonus game. To end the visit, they reflected on their achievements. Their group was pronounced the winner with a lead of over 300 points! They are keeping in contact with their friendly roommates.
Thirteen-year-old Alex was sponsored by Huntingdon Cromwell Rotary club. He added: “I attended the Young RYLA in Derbyshire during February half term. I would like to say a massive thank you to Rotary. I took part in lots of amazing activities, climbing, caving and orient-eering to name just three. The accommodation was great and the food was lovely, we even had a roast dinner! The staff at the White Hall centre were very friendly and encouraged me to take part in different activities.”
All three believe the course helped them gain confidence and develop an ability to work as part of a team.