Rotary Youth Leadership Award
1. What is RYLA ?
It is a Rotary International programme for young people. It offers young people a special opportunity to take part in developing qualities of leadership, team working, initiative and problem solving at the start of their careers. A day is spent team building followed by two days learning new skills, for example, orienteering, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing and slate mine exploration. These skills are applied in a 30 hour group exercise in locations around the Snowdonia National Park, including a night in the open.
This develops a more complete personality and the new found confidence and skills are brought back into the community and demonstrated to their sponsoring clubs, by way of a short presentation on their experiences as a precursor to receiving a certificate.
2. How does RYLA work?
The course is for young people at the start of their working life. Participating Rotary Clubs select representatives of either sex as its nominees. Clubs ensure that the young people chosen come from a wide background of abilities, vocations and social levels, and that they are considered to have leadership and development potential. The group meet at an Induction Day when they engage in a series of activities designed to encourage group dynamics and to get to know each other. This day is so important that attendance is mandatory
3. Where does it all happen ?
The course takes place during July/August at Rhos-y-Gwaliau, a small hamlet near Lake Bala in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. One Rotarian works with each group to assist the staff instructor.
Originally the village school, the Centre was adapted to become an outdoor educational base for Berkshire schools. Now privately owned the Centre is the ideal site for this Rotary inspired course. The Centre is staffed by a small group of dedicated and talented course leaders, professionally qualified in the specialised field of outdoor leisure pursuits. In all activities the highest standard of safety is paramount.
4. Who is selected ?
The short answer is that there is no particular type of person. Indeed the success of any course depends on there being a good mix of both sexes of different ages (between 18 and 25), varying abilities, backgrounds and experience. Please note that candidates must be 18 years old by the first day of the course. The commitment and determination by the participants to succeed is most impressive. The course is also designed to develop the latent talents of anyone held back by lack of confidence. Candidates must be prepared to contribute to as well as benefit from the course and preference will be given to those who would not otherwise get the opportunity to take part in such an award scheme. It will be an alcohol free week.
Commitment. The candidate who will gain most is the one who is prepared to contribute most ! ! !
Candidates will be interviewed by the sponsoring club to ensure that those selected are done so for their ability and attitude to maximise their leadership potential.
5. How much does it cost ?
Nothing. Candidates are sponsored by a Rotary club or possibly an employer. Many clubs sponsor more than one candidate, and some involve local business who pay for members of staff as part of his/her development training programme.
Some clubs even sponsor young people from abroad.
Interested?
Download the brochure and the forms via the links to the right of this page. The application for contains the return address.
Any Questions?
Email carolealowe@aol.com or speak to Mr Boys, who will be able to help you
Candidates will be interviewed by the sponsoring club to ensure that those selected are done so for their ability and attitude to maximise their leadership potential.