Youth Activities 2026
In this section you will find guidance on the various youth activities happening around the District. RYLA 2026 bookings are now open.
The 2026 theme for Youth Competitions was "Happiness in Nature" and we have the results of the District Finals
Youth Activities in Rotary North East 2025-26
Youth Competitions
The 2026 competitions, with the theme "Happiness in Nature" for Young Writer, Young Artist and Young Photographer have now closed, and the District Final results are below.
Below are the results of the 2026 competitions.
12 Clubs submitted entries in 2026 and 7 of these (Alnwick, Morpeth, Chester-le-Street, Blyth, Middlesbrough Erimus, Tyneside and Newcastle Gosforth) had winners at District level.
District
1030 Results of Rotary Young Writer Competition 2026
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Junior (up to 10) |
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WINNER |
J1 |
Nancy Rae Chapman |
10 |
Middlesbrough Erimus |
Prose |
Park End Primary |
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Intermediate (11-13) |
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WINNER |
I1 |
Raphael Wasti |
11 |
Alnwick |
Poetry |
Dushess Comm. High School |
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Senior (14 - 17) |
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WINNER |
S1 |
Charlotte Bailey |
14 |
Middlesbrough Erimus |
Prose |
Kings Academy |
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District 1030 Results of Rotary Young Artist Competition 2026
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Junior (up to 10) |
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WINNER |
Tilithia Rose Goode |
6 |
Morpeth |
Abbeyfields First School |
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Intermediate (11-13) |
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WINNER |
Isla Morley |
12 |
Tyneside |
Private Entry |
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Senior (14 - 17) |
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WINNER |
Nim Leanne Kwok |
14 |
Tyneside |
Private Entry |
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District 1030 Results of Young Photographer Competition 2026
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Junior (up to 10) |
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WINNER |
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Abbeyfields First School |
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Intermediate Age Group (11-13) |
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WINNER |
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Senior Age Group (14-17) |
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WINNER |
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Middlesbrough Erimus |
14 |
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District 1030 Results of Young Chef Competition 2026
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JOINT WINNERS |
Alnwick Midd. Erimus |
Emilia Bowden Rebecca Sharpe |
Duchess Comm. School
Middlesbrough College |
District 1030 Results of Young Musician Competition 2026
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Instrumentalist WINNER |
Newcastle Gosforth |
Allan Zeng |
Piano |
12 |
Private Entry |
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Vocalist WINNER |
Chester le Street |
Rhian Fernandes |
Vocal |
17 |
St Bede's Lanchester |
RYLA 2026
The 2026 RYLA courses will again take place at our purpose-built site alongside Hannahs Meadow and the Hury reservoir in August 2026. Entries for this year's camps are now open.
What Is RYLA?
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership development programme run by Rotary for young people. The RYLA programme will provide you with the opportunity to experience and learn things about yourself, about working in a team, but more importantly about leading and supervising other people. These are skills employers look for in the workplace.
What's Involved in RYLA?
The selected activities on the RYLA programme are all based on elements of problem solving, communication, organisation, delegation and teamwork. Whilst many of the activities take place outside, alongside The Pennine Way, it is not an outward bound course! We use a variety of activities to develop you as an individual, as a team member and as a leader of a team, in a safe and enjoyable environment. There is no assessment, and no pass or fail, on this course. There are no limits on your development and we aim to help you realise your potential.
The courses are open to young people who are between16 and 21 years old and take place at Wilderness Outdoor Education Centre, Low Birk Hatt Farm, Baldersdale, near Barnard Castle and alongside Hannah’s Meadow. This has been the centre for our District RYLA camps since 2023 and is a purpose-built outdoor activity centre ideally located for watersports and outdoor activities.
The first camp commences on Monday 3rd August 2026 and the second on Monday 10th August 2026 with each week able to take up to 24 young people. There is a selection process run by local Rotary Clubs with a closing date of 30th April 2026.
We hope to run the Technology Tournament in Autumn 2026, if resources permit. We are always looking for volunteers to help us to run this very popoular event. AG Terry Bolton has agreed to lead the 2026 event.
Please visit the pages below to find out more about Rotakids, Interact, Rotaract, Youth Competitions, RYLA, and Rotary Youth Exchange (STEP and Long-term programmes).
Speakers available:
I am available to speak face-to-face (or on Zoom) to Clubs or Club Groups about Youth Competitions and RYLA.
Jean and Keith Best are happy to do Zoom presentations on the Peace Project they have developed. Please let me know if you would like Jean and Keith to do a presentation at your club meeting.
Peter Chandler - District Youth Services Chair
Youth Activities 2026 sub-pages:
RYLA 2026
more RYLA 2026 will take place in August 2026 (one camp 3rd-7th and the alternative week 10th-14th) at the same site as last year, alongside Hannah's Meadow in Baldersdale, on the Cleveland Way. Up to 48 young people from across the District. (1 page below this)
Youth Competitions 2026
more Entries for the 2026 Competitions have now closed and the 2026 Competition results will be posted on this website in dur course.. (9 pages below this)
Rotary Youth Exchange
more No incoming Youth Exchanges are expected to be organised by RGB&I this Rotary year, though we are pleased to report that our District supported two young people participating in a STEP (Short Term Exchange Programme) Youth Camp in 2024, and one in 2025.
Rotakids
more Rotakids in Rotary North East
District Youth Webinar Recording 2024
more This is a recording of our District Youth Webinar on Fri 10 May 2024.
Rotaract
more Our Rotaract Clubs are in Tyneside, Durham and Darlington.
Interact
more Our District now has eight active Interact Clubs, with more in the pipeline for chartering later.