Young RYLA February 2025

By 5.30pm on a cold and windy Friday evening, 9 months of planning stared to come to fruition. 29 young people from across District 1070 ascended on White Hall Activity Centre, near Buxton. You could hear a pin drop, as they sat around in the briefing lounge awaiting details of what the weekend would hold for them and not knowing each other and lacking the confidence, perhaps, to engage with each other.

What a contrast 2 hours later, after dinner, once they had been placed into 1 of 3 groups of a mix of girls and boys, ages and location, as they attempted their first problem solving activity as a newly formed team. Wrapped up warm against the chill of the Derbyshire night air, they attempted 3 tasks, requiring communication, teamwork and leadership – all aspects of the course that would be constantly revisited throughout this leadership weekend. Points were earned as the teams, for example, navigated a ball along guttering into a bucket, using and moving short lengths, balancing and controlling the speed of the ball – with extra points being earned for good teamwork, communication and developing leadership skills.

The evening drew to a close with hot chocolate, but not before the groups decided what main activities they wanted to complete over the next 2 days. Abseiling, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and caving being the options, of which they needed to select 2. Purely the team’s decision, they had to discuss and consider the needs of the whole group – such as non-swimmers, a fear of heights or not being able to ride a bike.

Following a cooked breakfast on the Saturday morning, group 1 set of for the canal to spend the morning canoeing. Frosty, cold but with a beautiful sunrise, the candidates not only experienced the fun of developing a water-based skill, but witnessed the beautiful geography, history and culture of the canal ways of the area. Wildlife came to join them, and canal-boaters exchanged greetings, as the candidates earned points by navigating the canoes and developing confidence by swapping boats and paddling backwards. Only 2 casualties fell in, but were able to laugh about it as the protective clothing did its job…

Group 2 opted for rock climbing at a local outcrop. Fitted with harnesses, helmets and special climbing shoes, they attempted a climb of 80metres. Although nervous, all team members made the ascent with the encouragement and support of the team – albeit ‘disco leg’ was apparent in a couple of candidates! Outstanding views of the Peak District were taken in, and as well as developing their basic climbing skills, they were able to watch experience climbers enjoying their sport. Teamwork and encouragement were outstanding as was the mutual trust as they belayed each other, looking after each other’s safety rope and spotting footholds for each other.

Caving was the first choice of the 3rd group – which tested the fears of some candidates. The caverns got smaller and smaller and darker too. Teamwork being an essential ingredient, helping each other avoid the low roofs of the tunnels. As well as experiencing some unique geology, the team drove through some beautiful sunshine to and from the mines, seeing Derbyshire in all its natural beauty. Again, great support for each other and developing leadership skills were seen.

The other activities selected by the groups were abseiling, whereby the candidates skilfully lowered themselves 80 feet from a disused railway bridge to the riverbank below. As well as obviously requiring personal courage, teamwork was needed - and trust - as the rest of the team controlled the safety ropes and offered advice. Teams completing this also got to find out about the railway that once steamed through and witnessed a harsh but beautiful landscape both manmade and forged by nature. Again, points were awarded for those attempting and those showing empathy to teammates.

Mountain biking found the groups learning about the safety equipment (as did all the activities) and the setting up of the bikes. A course was navigated that included muddy inclines and some quite steep descents. No points were awarded for falling off – and inevitably there were a couple of spills - but no injuries thanks to the superb safety briefs from the staff and good quality equipment. Points for this came by way of individually completing sections of the course and encouraging teammates who needed assistance.

Other outdoor on-site activities that were completed throughout the weekend included a rope climb of 3 metres, requiring a massive team effort; walking on giant ski’s needing coordination, leadership and strength; crossing a waterlogged pond using given equipment – a thinking task, requiring communication, self-confidence and leadership. A favourite task was definitely the zip-line that saw a plan hatched to get all the team down the wire, whilst dropping bean bags into a bucket on route. The natural leaders began to shine on this task, as we saw shared ideas, accuracy and speed, whilst adhering to the necessary safety precautions. 

Saturday evening – following dinner – saw the mini-Olympics. A great fun evening with a huge competitive edge. Teams were shown events that would be competed for, such as picking up a box from the floor only using ones teeth, requiring flexibility; placing a cup as far away as possible but not moving ones feet – core strength needed here; turning a mat over whilst a number of people are on it – with no hands – some great communication and teamwork seen on this one; getting the whole team through a hoop – again teamwork with speed; and putting on a harness as quickly as possible – individual task but remembering previous safety lessons.

Teams were required to select the most suitable person - or persons - for each task. The games created much excitement, laughter and determination. At the same time protective caskets were being developed for the finale – the great egg drop! Each team designing a safety system to (hopefully) stop their egg breaking as it was launched from the top of the staircase. Some ingenious designs were developed with the limited items they were given, culminating in those watching from the bottom getting wet from a clever water protection design – and 2 eggs survived!

As well as the adventurous activities, teams were expected to assist with basic chores, such as laying and clearing the tables at mealtimes and keeping their rooms tidy. This was completed really well, with volunteers completing the tasks, but with teams organising and sharing the responsibility. Credit to all, as by breakfast on Sunday, all rooms were clean and tidy, and bags stowed away as per instructions…

With the final activities beginning after Sunday lunch, points were close, so the indoor climbing wall found itself having many young people hanging from it, bouldering and earning last minute points for completing sections or working as a team.

District Governor Chris Knight and other Rotarians joined us after lunch and were privileged to see the candidates working as teams, encouraging each other and challenging themselves. By 3pm, the points had been added up and all the candidates joined up in the briefing room, where many family members and more Rotarians had gathered to congratulate the winning team - Team 2 – and applaud all 29 candidates as they collected their well-earned certificates from the District Governor.

It goes without saying that thanks are due to White Hall staff and the centre as a whole for hosting the event, but also to the pastoral staff, Kate (President of Stamford St Martin’s) and Rylan (a Rotaract member who has completed senior RYLA). Without their help the event would not be possible. Clearly the financial support of those clubs that sponsored candidates is also much appreciated too.

In summary, 29 young people aged 13 – 17, boys and girls, from across the District, came together as a nervous, often confidence lacking and short of self-esteem group. They made friends, developed self-esteem, saw leadership qualities within themselves and others, challenged themselves both mentally and physically, gained confidence, learnt new skills and developed resilience and made memories (we could go on…). These are life skills that will not only enhance the young people that engaged in this course but in turn will benefit future society. A massive well done to all involved, what a privilege to be a part of it.