My RYLA Experience

​My Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) experience was something I will never forget it was a week in which I pushed myself in ways I never usually would during my work and day-to-day life. In terms of leadership it has developed my confidence so noticeably, and in terms of friendships I have made some new friends for life, whom I would never have crossed paths with had it not been for the course.
 
The beginning of the week consisted of classroom based leadership skills in teams, followed by group activities in the evenings, all building towards our skills days where I took part in canoeing and orienteering (because I was too scared of the ones with heights at this point!).  Once we learnt how to master these skills we would then put these to the test during our final 30 hour challenge in which we would be teaching the rest of our group with no assistance from
professionals!

Little did I know we would be mastering all the skills learnt by each member of the group including mining and abseiling (my two biggest fears!). Despite being so nervous and at times wanting to give up my group got me through the tasks and the way in which these strangers were supporting me to help me through is something I will never forget. If it wasn't for the team I was in I wouldn't have got through it quite so well I'm sure of it!
 
I cannot thank the Rotary Club enough for providing me with this opportunity and for allowing me to develop these skills and my confidence which I would potentially never have accessed had it not been for the course. The team at Rhos-Y-Gwaliau were also amazing and provided us with everything we could possibly need to get the full potential out of the week.
 
As a 21 year old in full time work it is easy to believe opportunities are not out there, and not being at school feeling I am too old to take part in such a week.  I feel it is so important that young people like me get this opportunity and the RYLA course continues to give others the amazing time I've had.
 
Thank you so much Rotary!
Amy Tough