RYLA Activity Day - Danbury Outdoor Centre

We invite applications from teenagers aged 14-17 years old living in Essex and the Bishops Stortford/Sawbrigeworth areas of Herts to contact their local Rotary Club or via their school. The application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the school or a youth leader. Candidates should have demonstrated previous aptitude and have decided potential to develop their leadership skills. Those chosen to attend RYLA do so as an “award” for their past and present leadership and service activities.

We welcome applications from those groups who have special needs and will integrate all successful applicants within our activities. Differing qualifying criteria may apply and awards made to those who we genuinely believe can make a contribution to the RYLA experience and learn positively from the experience.

Activities will be across a range of activities e.g. High Ropes, Low Ropes, Caving, Problem Solving, Adventure courses, Orienteering, Tree tops. Obstacle Course etc. 

Prior to the day events, successful applicants will be given leadership style coursework to complete for submission and assessment. Rotary are introducing a vocational leadership qualification this year. In addition the local Rotary Club will arrange to meet the Awardees and mentor them in preparation for the upcoming event and also to do a suitable de-brief afterwards. 

Following each day course, where performance will be constructively assessed, approximately 20 awardees will be invited to attend the RYLA residential “Finals” weekend. Again, this will depend upon student performance and potential as well as the Organiser’s need to get the right mix of skills to make the Finals weekend a success. We only ask for an awardee to do their best at all times and we will do the rest...

The cost of a RYLA Award is covered by local Rotary Clubs but it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to arrange transport to and from all locations.

More information on RYLA can be found here