RYLA

Ryan and Calvin, our 2025 participants in the RYLA camp, joined us for lunch in August and gave us an excellent talk on their experience and what they gained.  

Their experience is shared in this section.

What are the benefits?

Connect with leaders in your community and around the world to:

• Build communication and problem-solving skills
• Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community
• Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors
• Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action
• Have fun and form lasting friendships

Where does RYLA take place?

Participants travel to Abernethy Outdoor Centre at Nethybridge, near Aviemore, for a week of intensive activities, which are designed to challenge the candidates both physically and mentally.

What is involved?

·        Participants are divided into groups, usually eight per group with a mentor to look after their welfare. The groups compete against each other in all the various activities with leadership and teamwork being the main objectives.

·        Each of the candidates is given the opportunity to act as the leader of the group during the week.

·        Activities cover such things as Canoeing, Hill Walking and Map Reading, Mountain Bike Cross Country Riding, Rock Climbing and Gorge Walking

·        The Abernethy Challenge gives intricate, mind stretching problems to solve, and is an area which highlights leadership potential.

·        All these activities are controlled and supervised by the staff of Abernethy Outdoor Centre who are all fully qualified.

·        The intellectual aspect includes team task exercises, evening presentations and discussions on leadership.

At the end of the week each successful candidate receives a Rotary Youth Leadership Award certificate. This is will be presented after you give a short talk on your RYLA experience to your sponsor Rotary Club after you have attended the RYLA