Rotary Club of Motherwell & Wishaw

The Abernethy Trust’s Outdoor and Adventure Centre was once again the setting for two very successful RYLA camps which took place in July.  26 boys and 35 girls from 34 clubs in District 1020, plus a girl and boy from Eastwood Rotary Club in District 1230, enjoyed the RYLA experience.

The Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw once again gave strong support to RYLA in District 1020.  The club has sponsored two young people each year since RYLA started in the District in 1991.  On one occasion, due to the generosity of one of our current members, the club sponsored three candidates  This year (2012) it sponsored Lee Murray (a sixth year student at Braidhurst High School) to attend the boys’ week and Lauren Penman (a young leader in the Girls’ Brigade) to attend the girls’ week.  Both greatly enjoyed the experience and hopefully, in the future, they will make use of the leadership skills and qualities discussed and developed during their respective weeks for the benefit of others.

One of the important and essential ingredient of any RYLA week is the mentor team.  These teams usually consist of four or five Rotarians or former RYLArians.  Their main function is to encourage and support the young people during their RYLA experience, as well as look after their welfare. Over the years Motherwell and Wishaw Rotary Club has been well represented on the mentor teams.  John Mair was one of the main driving forces in establishing RYLA in the District and for many years was District RYLA officer.  In the past, Club Secretary, Tom Sleith, and John Arthur were mentors (or counsellors as they used to be called).  After many years as a mentor, Club President Ian Carrol is currently District RYLA Officer and  RYLA 2012 saw the club’s New Generations Chairman, James Gibbons, complete his third year as a mentor.

Dates for RYLA 2013 have been set for the weeks 13^th – 20^th July (boys)

and 20^th  – 27^th July (girls).  It is anticipated that the club will once again give two young people from our local community the opportunity to experience and benefit from RYLA.  It is also anticipated that our commitment to providing staff for the mentor team will continue as in past years.   

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