The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
In 2005 we linked up with Steve to instigate the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) with the aim of improving the leadership of young people with potential in our district. Steve devised an amazing programme which fitted the brief we gave him to use a combination of classroom theory, personal challenges and opportunities to practice and implement new learnings and techniques in a five-night residential setting.
Our RYLA course has evolved over the years and has changed the lives of the more than 550 young people from a wide range of backgrounds that have successfully taken part. We always get first class feedback from the participants and their parents. Steve has been receptive to suggestions to evolve the course and always made himself available to help the Rotary Clubs who recruit and sponsor candidates understand the course and recruit the young people who would most benefit from taking part. I would very much commend a conversation with Steve to anyone considering engaging Grass Routes to deliver training or a workshop. Andy Jarrett Youth Chair Rotary District 1100 |
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The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) has been delivered by GrassRoutes since 2004. It is a six day, five nights residential programme for 40 young people aged between 16 and 18 who have a real desire to full fill their leadership potential.
Participants learn and develop through a series of participative exercises and challenges designed specifically for RYLA. Physical challenges such as canoeing, high ropes and climbing are included to encourage participants to push themselves, build confidence and help them to understand how to work as an effective team and to achieve personal and collective goals. Personal objectives are set before RYLA and are reviewed throughout the programme. There are also plenty of opportunities to lead throughout the programme as all of the young people are asked to take supervised parallel leadership roles to the staff. RYLA is great fun, participants make new ( often lifelong) friends, add to their CV and It may even count towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. |
Theory
Participants are taught communication and leadership skills in a relaxed tutorial style to encourage them to contribute and to try new things . They are encouraged to participate and there are plenty of opportunities to develop public speaking skills. The personal objectives which the participants set themselves at the interview stage before RYLA are regularly reviewed with the course leaders. |
Activities
The programme offers activities such climbing, canoeing, night hikes etc. There are also plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves and support each other.
Later in the programme teams visit a local town with a view to meeting real leaders in business and the public service with a view to asking them how they lead.
At the same time to make life a little more interesting, the teams compete to fundraise for a charity agreed by all of the participants.
The RYLA programme is demanding and quite rightly there is recognition for all those who complete it. RYLA is an international award run across the world by Rotary Clubs. Participation is highly regarded by universities and employers alike. We are proud to be associated with it!
The programme offers activities such climbing, canoeing, night hikes etc. There are also plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves and support each other.
Later in the programme teams visit a local town with a view to meeting real leaders in business and the public service with a view to asking them how they lead.
At the same time to make life a little more interesting, the teams compete to fundraise for a charity agreed by all of the participants.
The RYLA programme is demanding and quite rightly there is recognition for all those who complete it. RYLA is an international award run across the world by Rotary Clubs. Participation is highly regarded by universities and employers alike. We are proud to be associated with it!
"RYLA was an uplifting experience for me as it allowed me to overcome my fear of public speaking and have taken this forward whenever presenting. Also not knowing anyone before really prepared me personally for leaving home for university. During the course I felt as though we all bonded very well and this allowed us to be able to work well in teams, develop trust and embrace leadership opportunities. I am still in touch with my RYLA friends - thank you for the opportunity to take part I would highly recommend this to all 14-18 year olds."
Hannah - Sponsored by Royal Wootton Bassett Town Rotary Club
"RYLA is a fantastically well structured course and has enabled me to expand my leadership skills to new levels. It's very beneficial course for improving leadership and overall social skills. RYLA speaks a language understandable for everyone, meaning everyone gets the chance to further their ability to lead. Genuinely a memory to be savoured for a long time".
Ralph Dale
"Steve had led his team very well to create and deliver a bespoke course which improves the leadership skills of young people aged between 16 and 18. We and the participants are delighted with the results and every year there is always a waiting list for places. The course is part of the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) programme."
Rotary Youth Leadership Award Co-ordinator.
"Our RYLA candidate was so much more confident. She conquered her fears and became more confident when speaking in public and improved her presentation skills. My club are always delighted with the way that the course encourages young people to share they gifts and confidently grow their talents.
Two members of Worcester Severn attended the end of course presentation. I've been to several over the past few years and the 2016 presentation was outstanding. The young people showcased their talents and achievements. You could feel the strength of support and camaraderie between them. From their comments friendships for life have been cemented."
Worcester Severn Rotary Club 2016