Rotary International District 1260

Community & Vocational Services Committee 2005 - 2006

RYLA 2005

After a long battle to obtain numbers for the weekend we eventually achieved a total of 29 entrants against our target of 32. However, one did drop out the night before, leaving us with a total of 28 - four teams of seven.

There were 12 female and 16 male candidates. The average age of the candidates was just under 21 years.

During the weekend three candidates left - one due to being unwell and two others of their own accord.

The Royal Air Force provided their usual high quality volunteer officers and NCO to carry out the leadership skills training and also provided and laid out all of the equipment. Bearing in mind that these staff are available the whole time from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon their support is without equal. Rotary and the young people that have the opportunity to attend these weekends owe a greaqt deal to these dedicated forces personnel.

Rotarians organise the acceptance administration, help to plan the programme, provide food and refreshments and man exercises on Friday night. Some stay with the teams throughout the weekend. Again, these Rotarians and helpers are on duty for long hours during the weekend with very little sleep. A Big thank You to all those who helped!

The weekend had its highs and lows but those that survived I am sure will have learned much, made new friends and personally achieved a great deal more than they expected. These candidates are prepared to speak to their clubs.

The candidates also learned a great deal about Rotary and Rotarians - not just from the 500 words they were asked to submit but also from general conversation and our attitude towards them. Age difference does not seem to matter.

This report just gives a few basic details. To get to the heart of RYLA, and just how good your candidates were, you need to talk to them!