RYLA

Wed, Nov 5th 2025 at 12:40 am - 2:00 am

School pupils sponsored to Rotary Youth Leadership camps in the summer.

Club members welcomed Islay MacAnndraigh and Andrew Marr, both pupils at local schools, who had been selected by the Club to attend RYLA, a Rotary leadership development programme for young people. Both were based at the RYLA centre in the Highlands where they were put through an intensive residential course over a number of days, a course devised to develop teamwork, positive leadership, ethical behaviour and the art of making new friendships. The Club was treated to a fascinating insight into how Islay and Andrew’s week had gone. Their talks, backed up with excellent photographic footage, illustrated the demanding nature of the course - the challenges they faced, how they dealt with them, the highs and lows of the week, and what they gained from the experience. It was clear that some of the hill walking challenges on Ben Macdui and other nearby mountains were difficult and at times painful and required them both to lead or simply be members of a team. Other challenges such as raft-building and coasteering were enormous fun. Injuries were commonplace but never too serious. The enthusiasm with which both Islay and Andrew gave their presentations showed they had hugely enjoyed the course and very much appreciated Rotary for supporting such a project, and more particularly, for selecting them to go on it. They also felt that the course was potentially life-changing. They learnt how important it was both to lead and to be a team player; how to integrate with a group of people they had never met; how to make new friendships quickly; how not to take yourself too seriously. An excellent vote of thanks was given by Gordon Wowk.