Rotary District 1240 (Essex) recently ran the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) day at the Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre, South Ockendon. The event was co-ordinated by the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock and 30 students were invited to participate from schools and youth organisations in the South of the County. The event was free for the participants all costs being covered by Rotary.
Students testing out their raft which they built themselves.
The activity was designed to develop leadership skills and character, gain exposure to leadership issues and exchange ideas with like-minded people and explore problem solving strategies as part of a group. The students were in three groups and had to complete three challenges which were designed to help with the building of a raft which was the fourth and final challenge. During the day assessors and the qualified Grangewaters staff who oversaw each activity watched and marked the students as they used the skills/knowledge gained at the event.
At the end of the event 12 students have been invited to a weekend RYLA being run at Danbury activity centre in June.
Elaine from the Rotary club of Grays Thurrock said “we are pleased all the students have gained some knowledge from the day which will help them as they develop their leadership and interpersonal skills. The weather was excellent which has helped to make the event a great success."
